Where Is Flying a Drone Prohibited?
Where is Flying with a Drone prohibited?
As free as a drone may seem, its airspace isn’t without limits. If you want to fly legally and safely, it’s important to know the zones where flights are restricted or outright banned — not just to avoid fines. In this article, you’ll learn where drone flights are generally prohibited, what exceptions exist, and why these rules make sense.
Absolute No-Fly Zones – Flying Is Off-Limits (and for Good Reason)
In certain areas, flying a drone is always prohibited unless you have a special permit. The reasons usually involve safety, data protection, or the protection of nature and wildlife:
🚫 Sites of police or emergency operations
→ Drones could obstruct rescue efforts or distract emergency crews. Protecting the privacy of victims also plays a role.
🚫 Industrial facilities, prisons, power plants
→ These are considered critical infrastructure. Drone flights here may be classified as security threats or espionage attempts.
🚫 Military facilities or barracks
→ Military grounds are protected for national security and confidentiality reasons.
🚫 Airports and controlled airspace
→ There's a high risk of collision with manned aircraft. Even small drones can cause serious incidents in air traffic.
🚫 Crowds of people (e.g., demonstrations, concerts, sporting events)
→ Crashes can lead to injuries. Plus, in large groups, it’s not possible to obtain consent from everyone being recorded.
🚫 Nature and bird protection areas
→ Drones can disturb nesting birds, scare off wildlife, or damage sensitive ecosystems. These areas are usually marked with a green sign featuring an eagle or an owl.
100-Meter Distance Requirement – The 1:1 Rule
A 100-meter minimum distance applies to certain types of infrastructure, such as:
- Federal highways
- Federal waterways
- Railway tracks
✅ You’re still allowed to fly if:
- You have authorization from the relevant authority
- Your flight altitude is lower than your distance from the object
- You maintain a lateral distance of at least 10 meters
This so-called 1:1 rule helps prevent hazards and distractions to traffic.
Residential Areas and Private Property
With a drone in class C0–C2 (C2 only with an A2 certificate!), you may generally fly over residential areas.
However: To fly over private property, you must obtain the explicit consent of the owners or legal users. Otherwise, you risk violating personality rights, which can have legal consequences.
Alcohol, Drugs & Medication – No Fly!
As tempting as it may be: If you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you’re not allowed to fly a drone. This also applies to medications that impair your concentration or reaction time.
Drones are considered aircraft – and strict safety standards apply.
Data Protection – Filming People Is Prohibited
Filming or photographing people with a drone without consent is not allowed. Without their explicit permission, you're violating GDPR.
Therefore:
✔️ Inform people in advance (e.g., with a notice on the building)
✔️ Avoid capturing individuals in your footage
✔️ Only process data for its intended purpose and securely
Keep Your Drone on the Ground If …
❌ You can no longer see your drone with your own eyes (VLOS – Visual Line of Sight)
❌ The weather is bad: e.g., strong winds, rain, fog
❌ You’re unsure what type of airspace you're in
❌ You don’t have a valid eID or liability insurance
Conclusion: No-Fly Zones Keep Everyone Safe
Most rules are easy to follow if you’re well prepared. Use tools like dipul.de, check the area in advance, and make sure your equipment is ready. Those who fly safely and respectfully avoid trouble – both with authorities and with neighbors.
