Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of Finland
Drone Regulator in Finland: Finnish Transport Safety Agency (TRAFI) has developed a special site for communicating Finnish Drone Information
EU Nations Drone Regulator and Regulations: 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)
UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Finland
The Finnish agency responsible for drone safety, TRAFI, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the links above.
Flying and operating drones in Finland are subject to European Union Regulation 2019/947. The Finnish Transport Safety Agency TRAFI) supervises and implements the Regulation in Finland. 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 Finland?
According to TRAFI, drones are allowed in Finland, subject to TRAFI and EASA regulations. Read on for details.
Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Finland:
Users of the following unmanned aircraft types are not subject to the new EU registration requirements:
- An unmanned aircraft with a weight of fewer than 250 grams and not equipped with a camera or some other sensor capable of capturing personal data,
- An unmanned aircraft that is considered to be a toy within the meaning of Directive 2009/48/EC,
- Control line model aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of no more than 1 kg
All other Drone operators must register their drones in Finland. Registration costs 30€ for one year, 75€ for three years, or 100€ for five years.
Following registration, you must adhere to the following rules.
- Drones may fly up to 50 meters (170 feet) above ground or sea level in the Open category and up to 120 meters (400 feet) in the Specific category. (The Department of Civil Aviation may grant exemptions to operators of specific category drones.)
- Direct visual contact with the drone is required, and the operating distance should not exceed 500 meters.
- Avoid flying too close to residential areas or populated areas.
- Maintain a safety buffer zone of one kilometer around residential areas.
- Unless the owner/person consents, a safety distance of 500 meters from isolated buildings, people, vehicles, animals, and structures is required.
- Avoid flying near airports and heliports. Stay A minimum of eight (8) kilometers away from airports and three (3) kilometers from heliports for safety.
- At no time is it permissible to fly a drone at night.
- There shall be no flying over, within, or near military installations, public utility installations, archaeological sites, or public or private facilities.
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!
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 into the Traficom systems at the registration site linked here.
- 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.
- You must not register again if you have already conducted operations in another EU country before going to Finland. 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 Finland 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 a 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 five years.
- You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate in your possession whenever you plan to perform drone operations in Finland and present it when asked by the authorities.
How to register as a drone pilot or operator in Finland?
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 Finland for drone operations?
The operator registration procedure begins at the online TRAFI droneinfo registration link.
This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must be renewed periodically following the same procedure. The operator always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register.
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Finland
If you want to fly a drone by yourself as a hobby, and the drone weighs over 500 g, you need to read the self-study materials and pass an online theoretical knowledge examination. After the transitional period (from 1.1.2023) the requirement for passing the online theoretical knowledge examination is always when you fly a drone weighing more than 250 g. It is important to remember that in addition to the subcategory conditions and weight limitations, the UAS operator must always comply with the general ‘open’ category requirements (e.g., visual line of sight, maximum height) and valid airspace restrictions.
Recreational drone use does not require a drone permit.
- Recreational flying has no age restrictions.
- It is not utilized for commercial purposes
- It avoids industrial sites and urban areas.
- Maintain a visual line of sight throughout the flight.
- Restrict operations to daylight hours.
- Pilots of recreational drones should comply with the Aviation Act 864 of 2014.
- Carry liability insurance.
- Maintain a safe distance from urban areas, clouds, and other restricted areas.
- Your drone’s weight should be less than 25 kilograms.
- A manual override must be available on the switchboard.
See the general EASA rules above.
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Finland
In Finland, commercial drone use requires a permit.
- Drone pilots operating for commercial purposes are required to carry liability insurance.
- Commercial drone operations require drone pilots to be at least 18 years old.
- Commercial drone operators must attach a sticker with their name and contact information to their drone and document their operations in a flight logbook.
See the general EASA rules above.
What you must know about Finland 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 Finland
- Where you are allowed to fly a drone in Finland
- Register as drone operator in Finland
- Online drone pilot training and tests in Finland
- Apply for an authorisation to fly in Finland
Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Finland…
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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