Drone Rules in Austria – The English Guide
Austria follows the EU drone regulation (EU) 2019/947, plus national specifics you should know. Here is everything visitors and residents need – checked against the official sources, updated July 2026.
- EU registration is valid here: already registered in another EU country? No new registration needed.
- Not registered yet? Register with Austro Control (dronespace.at) – 46.80 € for 3 years; mandatory for any drone with a camera.
- Insurance is mandatory in Austria (min. 750,000 SDR liability cover) – check that your policy explicitly covers drone operation.
- Max. 120 m altitude, visual line of sight, and always check geo-zones before take-off: drohnenkarte.at.
Quick start: your 4 steps to fly legally
Drone liability insurance is mandatory in Austria for every drone – even toys with cameras. Minimum cover: 750,000 SDR. Many foreign policies exclude drones, so confirm explicitly.
Register once as an operator in ANY EU member state. If Austria is your first: dronespace.at, 46.80 € for 3 years. Display your operator ID (public part only) on the drone.
Drones of 250 g and above require the A1/A3 online certificate (free in Austria, valid EU-wide, 5 years). Under 250 g: no test needed.
The EU categories in 30 seconds
| Subcategory | Drone class | Where you may fly | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 – close to people | C0 (<250 g), C1 (<900 g) | Near uninvolved people; never over assemblies. C1: no overflight of uninvolved people | C0: none · C1: A1/A3 certificate |
| A2 – near people | C2 (<4 kg) | 30 m from uninvolved people (5 m in low-speed mode) | A1/A3 + A2 remote pilot certificate |
| A3 – far from people | C3/C4 (<25 kg), legacy drones ≥250 g | 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas | A1/A3 certificate |
Legacy drones (no C-class label): under 250 g they keep flying in A1; 250 g and above are limited to A3. Maximum altitude everywhere: 120 m above ground.
What is specifically Austrian?
- Insurance duty from the first gram with a camera – stricter than many EU countries (§ 24j Austrian Aviation Act, LFG). Minimum cover 750,000 SDR.
- Vienna is largely a control zone: most of the city lies within the Schwechat control zone plus restricted area LO R15. The key exception: drones under 250 g may fly up to 30 m altitude without individual clearance. Details matter – check the map.
- Night flights are allowed under the normal open-category rules – but a green flashing light on the drone is mandatory (UAS.OPEN.060(2)(g)).
- FPV with goggles requires an observer standing next to you who keeps the drone in unaided sight throughout the flight (UAS.OPEN.060). Without an observer, only follow-me mode up to 50 m.
- Nature reserves: drone restrictions are provincial law and often stricter than aviation rules – national parks are generally off-limits.
- Airfields without a control zone have protection radii where drone flights during operating hours are prohibited for most pilots.
Visitor FAQ
Häufige Fragen
Is my EU drone registration valid in Austria?
Yes. Operator registration and pilot certificates from any EU/EASA member state are valid in Austria. Bring your operator ID and certificate; make sure the ID is displayed on the drone.
I am from outside the EU (UK, US, etc.) – what do I need?
Register as an operator in the first EASA member state you fly in – if that is Austria: dronespace.at (46.80 €, 3 years). A UK or US registration is not valid in the EU. You also need the A1/A3 certificate for drones of 250 g and above, and mandatory insurance.
Can I fly in Vienna as a tourist?
Only within narrow limits. Several layers overlap in Vienna: the Schwechat control zone, restricted area LO R 15, numerous hospital heliports, densely populated areas plus nature and privacy rules. For drones under 250 g an exemption may apply up to 30 m above ground (§ 18 LVR) – but it is not a blanket permission: restricted areas, heliport radii, nature protection (Lobau/Danube-Auen national park) and the rules on assemblies of people still apply. Always verify your exact spot on the map.
Can I fly in the Alps and national parks?
The mountains are not automatically free airspace: national parks and many nature reserves prohibit or restrict drones under provincial law. Check the map layer for protected areas before every flight.
Do I really need insurance for a 249 g drone?
In Austria: yes. The insurance obligation applies regardless of weight for drones requiring registration (i.e. practically every camera drone). Minimum cover is 750,000 SDR – verify your travel or household policy explicitly covers drone liability, most do not.
What are the penalties?
Administrative fines up to 22,000 € under § 169 of the Austrian Aviation Act, plus civil liability. An amendment passed in July 2026 (planned to apply from 1 September 2026) will additionally allow authorities to confiscate drones used in violations.
Quellen & Rechtsgrundlagen
- EU-RechtRegulation (EU) 2019/947Open category, subcategories A1/A2/A3; UAS.OPEN.060Zur Quelle ↗
- Österr. RechtAustrian Aviation Act (LFG)§ 24j – insurance obligation for unmanned aircraftZur Quelle ↗
- BehördeninfoAustro Control – dronespace.atRegistration portal and official geo-zone informationZur Quelle ↗
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