Drone Laws in Denmark

Last updated on August 8th, 2023 at 12:03 pm

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Kingdom of Denmark

Denmark Civil Aviation Administration (CAA)

European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

For a full explanation of EASA regulations simplified, please read our explainer: The rules for drone flyers in the European Union (Europe Drone Laws Simplified)

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Denmark

The Danish agency responsible for drone safety, CAA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Flying and operating drones in Denmark are subject to European Union Regulation 2019/947. The CAA supervises and implements the Regulation in Denmark. This reform aims to create a truly harmonized drone market in Europe with the highest level of safety. In practice, it means that once a drone Οperator has received authorization from its state of registry, they will be allowed to circulate in the European Union freely. According to the level of risk involved, this new legal framework will introduce three categories of drone operations: Open, Specific, and Certified.

Drone operations are to be conducted according to the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (as amended).

Are drones allowed in Denmark?

According to CAA, drones are allowed in Denmark, subject to CAA and EASA regulations. Read on for details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Denmark:

Drone operators must register all drones in Denmark. Following registration, you must adhere to the following rules.

• Get acquainted with your drone by reading its user manual
• Have your drone insured with insurance made for drones
• Take the drone certificate, which fits to your class of drone
• Do not fly higher than 120 metres above ground level
• Do not fly beyond visual line of sight
• Do not fly above people or gatherings of people
• Do not fly closer than 5 km from public airports and 8 km from military air bases
• Do not fly closer than 2 km from the helipads for emergency services (HEMS)
• Do not fly closer than 150 metres from police stations, embassies or companies handling dangerous substances (i.e. refineries, petrochemical sites, oil depots or explosives depots)
• Do not fly closer than 300 metres from military areas and vessels
• Do not fly in environmental protected areas
• You must have consent by the owner to fly over private property if it is surrounded by fences, hedges and walls.
• If the property is not surrounded by fences, hedges and walls, you must not fly closer than 2.5 metres without consent from the owner
• If you fly at night, your drone must be fitted with a green light that can be easily seen from the ground and make the drone easily distinguishable from manned aviation

Drone certificate

In most cases, you are required to have a drone certificate for you to be able to fly a drone in Denmark.

If you are an EU citizen, you must have a drone certifcate from your home country. When you have obtained a drone certificate you can fly without any prior approval from usas long as you adhere to both EU regulation and the Danish provisional rules. Non-EU citizens must have obtained a European drone certificate in whatever EU country you decide before being able to fly within the European Union and in Denmark.

What type of drone certificate if any depends on the weight class of your drone.

The lightest drones do not require a drone certificate, while light and heavy drones up to 25 kg only require a theoretical certificate. However, flying with drones in the medium weight category requires a competence certificate where the drone pilot has performed practical self training before taking the theoretical exam.

A common denominator for all the categories is that the weight of the drone determines what type of drone certificate you need.

Open Category

Given the low level of risk, neither prior authorization by the competent authority nor a declaration by the drone operator is required. The drone’s total takeoff mass must be less than 25kg and be operated within a visual line of sight at a maximum altitude of 120m.

Specific Category

Considering the moderate level of risk involved, flights in this category require authorization before the operation. The permission is given considering the mitigation measures identified in an operational risk assessment, except in specific standard scenarios where an operator declaration is sufficient.

Certified Category

Given the inherent dangers, certification of the drone and a licensed remote pilot are required. If your drone can carry people, you fall under the Certified category!

Exceptions

• Drones weighing below 250 grams with a camera and other payload mounted, do not require a drone certificate
• Drones weighing below 250 grams with a camera and other payload mounted, do not need to be insured – However, it is a good idea
• Does your drone weigh below 250 grams with a camera and other payload mounted, you may overfly people. However, as shortly as possible and never over assemblies of people
• With the competence certificate A2, you may fly until 2 km from any public air field or military air base. However, not higher than 40 metres above runway height
• With the competence certificate A2, you may fly until 1 km from any HEMS helipad. However, not higher than 50 metres above the helipad.
• You need permission from The Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority if you wish to fly closer than 150 metres to police stations, embassies and companies handling dangerous substances (i.e. refineries, petrochemical sites, oil depots or explosives depots)
• You need permission from The Defence Command if you wish to fly closer than 300 metres to military areas or vessels
• You need permission from The Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority if you as a holder of a competence certificate A2 wish to fly closer than 1 km of an HEMS or 2 km of a public air field or military air base

EASA Summary of Drone Flight Operation Requirements

Note for foreign operators

Operator Registration (Non-EU Residents)

• If you are coming from a non-EU country and this is the first time you will fly your drone in an EU country, you MUST register as an Operator.
• Upon registration, you will receive a unique Operator Registration number which you MUST attach to your drone. If you have several drones, the same number must be attached to all of them.
• You are not allowed to fly in NO FLY ZONES, and you must keep a minimum of 8km distance from airports/heliports.
• If you have already conducted operations in another EU country before going to Denmark, you must not register again. You always register to the first non-EU country you have conducted flights.

Remote Pilot Certificate (Non-EU Residents)

• If you want to fly your drone in Denmark and live in a non-EU country, you must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from an EU country.
• You can get the A1/A3 Certificate by registering with the online Remote Pilot School.
• The online training and exam are required for those who want to fly a drone in the ‘Open’ category in subcategories A1/A3.
• The pass mark is 75%, and you have three attempts to pass.
• Once you pass your exam, you will receive your remote pilot certificate. Its validity will be 5 years.
• You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate in your possession whenever you plan to perform drone operations in Denmark and present it when the authorities ask.

How to register as a drone pilot or operator in Denmark?

According to European Regulation (EU) 2019/947, registration is mandatory for UAS operators (not for UAS themselves).

The UAS Pilot, also known as the Remote Pilot (RP), is the person physically behind the UAS flight controls. They are fully responsible for the safety of the flight throughout operations.

The UAS Operator is the person or company who oversees operations and gives flight instructions. This person or legal entity bears all responsibility for the operations of the drone (s) on their behalf. Very often, in the OPEN category and as an individual, the Pilot and the Operator are the same person.

Who should register?

As part of the OPEN category, registration is compulsory for operators:

• UAS that has a mass of 250 g or more; 
• UAS that has a mass of less than 250 g but:
  • can operate at speeds greater than 90km / h 
  • are equipped with a camera or a microphone, if these UAS are NOT toys * 

* A UAS is a toy when a manufacturer intends it for children under 14 and meets the minimum safety criteria required to be so named. Compliance with these standards naturally limits the capabilities of the UAS (size, weight, non-dangerous spare parts, no powerful motor, etc.): see Directive 2009/48 / EC of 18 June 2009 on the safety of toys

Under the SPECIFIC category, registration is compulsory for all operators.

Natural persons can only register in the country where they reside.

Legal persons must register in the country where their principal place of business is located.

Registration can only be done in one Member State at a time.

How do you register in Denmark for drone operations?

The operator registration procedure begins at the CAA website

This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must be renewed periodically following the same procedure. The operator therefore always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Denmark

See general EASA rules above.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Denmark

You must be at least 18 years old to qualify. 

Each pilot must obtain a license and register their drone(s) with the appropriate authorities. You will be questioned about your drone and your personal and business information. 

Once obtained, you will be permitted to fly above urban areas (up to 120 meters), but you must notify the police at least 24 hours before your flight. You must adhere to all other recreational drone use rules. 

Depending on the weight of your drone, you will require a different type of license (the heavier the drone, the more detailed the test):

• A license is required for drones weighing less than 1.5 kg. 1A 
• A license is required for drones weighing less than 7 kilograms. 1B 
• A license 2 is required for drones weighing less than 25 kg.

Each license has two parts:

• Theoretical instruction in an approved educational facility 
• A practical training session in the same facility requires at least 15 flights outside of urban areas with a total flight time of at least 5 hours.

See general EASA rules above.

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What you must know about Denmark No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

You need to know if you can operate your drone, under what limitations, whether authorizations are required, and how to get those authorizations.

We encourage you to read our explainer for more details on this topic here: Explainer – What You Must Know About No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

Useful published information on flying drones in Denmark

• Where you are allowed to fly a drone in Denmark
• Register as drone operator in Denmark
• Online drone pilot training and tests in Denmark
• Apply for an authorisation to fly in Denmark

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Denmark…

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NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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