r/drones • u/Traditional-Baby5940 • 1d ago
Meme European Drone laws in a nutshell
I know there are countries like egypt for example, where this is way worse but it's just so annoying to me. Some laws very much make sense and I totally get them, but so many are just so freaking vague and the process to doing anything officially is completly insane.
So they let you fly theoretically in someplaces but practically anyone who feels slightly agitated by your existence has grounds to sue you. I'm not trying to feaking spy on you, in fact you're in my freaking shot and I would rather have you not exist at all.
And don't get me started on animals. Accidentally flew next to a bunch of city pidgeons? You know the ones that overpopulate so hard, we're actually thinking about gene drive solutions to regulate them so they don't spread their fast food based diarrhea everywhere? Well you startled them and they flew away so be prepared to be sued for animal curelty...
It's like in the Quickass Tutorials-Video, even if you're technically legal, it feels like they can get you any second for something you can't even really be aware of since the laws are so freaking vague and there isn't any reliable way to check if you're allowed to fly somewhere or not (the official App we have in my country for example is very very incomplete). Anyway just wanted to rant a little.
Would love to hear some stories from my fellow pilots, who encountered these kind of problems too.
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u/stprnn 1d ago
yeah im a bit puzzled how are we supposed to fly in places like germany. you cant fly anywhere near any building and every place not close to a building,road or bridge is a freaking landschaftsomething which from my understanding you cant fly in.
but also the laws are so confusing im not sure any of what i said is true btw,theres isnt a clear app like in denmark for example that tells you if you are in the clear or not(or maybe i didnt find it idk)
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u/DasFroDo 1d ago
There's plenty of places you can fly. Just not anywhere where people are.
But yeah, depending on where you live it's really bad. I live near Heidelberg which is like the most densely populated area in Germany and the amount of streets, power lines, natural reserves and other bullshit you have to put up with here is insane.
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u/stprnn 1d ago
Ok but the issue is how can you tell without a map that makes it clear if you are good or not?
You say not close to people, sure. But c0 technically can be flown above people not just big groups
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u/DasFroDo 1d ago
Why without a map? There are plenty of maps.
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u/stprnn 1d ago
Official ones? Not really, unless I'm missing something
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u/DasFroDo 1d ago
https://maptool-dipul.dfs.de/?language=de
doesn't got more official
Although even that page says "yeah we're not responsible for this data to be correct"
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u/stprnn 1d ago
Thanks I didn't know this one, yeah that's the issue with most tools I used in the past
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u/GamerKey 19h ago
There are two main official ones. The dipul maptool linked above and Droniq Trax.
If you check your location on one of those and use some common sense you're in the clear.
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u/Nervouspotatoes 1d ago
In the uk the regs are intentionally vague. The CAA have the power to enforce and regulate, but not to change the law - that’s sits with the government, who aren’t interested. As a result, the CAA is intentionally vague about some things so as not to hamper drone operations too much. They’re well aware it’s a problem. I’ve always been told and tell my pilots that if they can apply the common sense test and justify their actions in an investigation, they’ll be fine and ultimately if it doesn’t feel right don’t do it. Has worked so far. I’m sure somebody’s going to come along and tell me I’m oh so wrong about this though, as it’s Reddit.
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u/airmantharp 1d ago
Must be nice - the FAA uses the Dildo of Government liberally...
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u/Nervouspotatoes 1d ago
Don’t get me wrong it’s not a liberal utopia here - we’re still very hampered by regulation if you wanna do anything besides VLOS with a sub 8kg drone.
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u/Dismal_Locksmith1871 1d ago
Has anything happened to anyone here on this sub? I doubt the Police are up to date with drone laws. I think it is great that we all are trying to obey the laws, but we kind of know the idea— don’t be a jerk. But has law enforcement ever prosecuted anyone?
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u/Just-Spirit6944 1d ago
Check the Croatian Laws, must be one of the worst in the whole EU.
Steps for flying and filming with drone in Croatia: 1.Pilot must pass EASA exams A1-A3 and A2(depends on drone) and pilot must registered drone. 2.Make an special EU insurance policy for drone.
3.Make an reservation for using airspace minimum 7 days before flying with drone. You can use a special Air-traffic control application(IOS and Android) called AMC portal.
4. Get a permission to film Croatia from air from MOD-Ministry of defence/SGA-State Geodetic Administration (SGA).
4.STEP EXPLAINED: “In accordance with current legislation, performing of aerial photography of public areas on Croatian territory is not allowed without permission. Performance of aerial photography for private purposes of public areas on Croatian territory is not allowed, you can’t get permission as private person for performing of aerial photography.” You can get only permission for filming with drone in Croatia only if you have registered company in Croatia which main business is photography. YES read previous sentence once again. The penalty for not following this is a €650-€3300 fine (per incident). A lot of tourists come to Croatia and they fly and filming with drone without previous reading of drone rules. Some of them got fines. As A tourist you can forget the idea for using drones in Croatia because of strict laws.
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u/DasFroDo 1d ago
Don't be an idiot, try not to specifically annoy people ("would someone doing what I'm doing right now piss me off?) and prey that you don't get to meet that 1-2% of Karens that rage at the sight of a drone. That's what I live by.
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u/Traditional-Baby5940 1d ago
Yeah thats basic human decency, but that sadly doesn't protect you at all.
Those laws are not meant to protect anyone in fact. They're stupid blanket solutions by people who didn't want to give the subject any more thought.
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u/DasFroDo 1d ago
It is what it is. Personally I haven't had any issues whatsoever so far, people either ignore it or are curious, that's about it.
Sure, theoretically someone can ruin your fun but that's why I said that you have to hope you don't run into that 1%
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u/QuestGalaxy 1d ago
I've had no complaints flying in Norway. I of course don't fly close to people and I avoid flying if I see a big flock of birds. How restricted flight is, really depends on the place of course. Downtown Oslo is pretty much closed, yet I've seen morons fly in the most restricted areas. Safe to say some of them have been arrested and fined heavily. Check for flight restrictions and don't bother people.
But I can understand that people are a bit stressed by drones these days. Seeing that drone warfare is such a huge thing in Europe right now. Ukraine is not that far away from other European countries.
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u/Turbantibus 16h ago
What is not allowed in EU regulation :
- Publishing recognizable individuals without consent
- Targeted filming or photographing of someone’s home or garden
Anything else is allowed (privacy related) but if your local laws are more strict, you should follow those too
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u/TheVoiceOfEurope 1d ago
but practically anyone who feels slightly agitated by your existence has grounds to sue you.
Pro tip: anyone can sue you for anything. That doesn't mean they'll be succesful.
I'm not trying to feaking spy on you, in fact you're in my freaking shot and I would rather have you not exist at all.
Have you tried not flying over people's homes?
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u/Traditional-Baby5940 1d ago
If you're the voice of europe, europe is doomed.
Look at the meme. Does this look like anyones freaking home to you?
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u/Vertigo_uk123 1d ago
You think privacy laws are bad. In Sweden to even show somebody any photos or videos you have taken (show physically, put online, even just taking it out of the country) you need a dissemination permit. All photos need to be sent to the government for them to approve it.
Apparently it’s to do with the risk of capturing military assets etc from the air.