Where can I fly FPV in Germany?
In short: FPV is allowed in Germany – but not everywhere, and not alone. With goggles you need an observer next to you, you stay below 120 metres, and you keep away from people, residential areas, roads, railways and nature reserves. This guide sums up the rules for a typical hobby FPV flight in the open category.
Not legal advice. As of October 2026. Check the current rules and the geographical zones at your spot before every flight – most easily on dipul.de.
The basic rules for FPV in the open category
Almost every hobby FPV flight falls under the open category of the EU drone regulation (EU) 2019/947:
- Visual line of sight (VLOS): the drone must be visible to the naked eye at all times. With goggles you cannot see it – so FPV is only allowed with an observer right next to you who keeps the drone in sight, scans the airspace and can warn you at once. EASA says so explicitly. Flying alone with goggles is not provided for in the open category.
- At most 120 metres above ground.
- No flights over assemblies of people; subcategories A2 and A3 add distances to uninvolved people (see A1, A2, A3 explained).
- Registration, competence, insurance: an FPV drone has a camera, so you must register as an operator with the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) and put the operator number on the drone. From 250 grams you also need the A1/A3 proof of competence. Liability insurance covering drones is mandatory in Germany.
Self-built FPV quads: usually subcategory A3
Most FPV quads carry no class label (C0–C4) because they are self-built or from a kit. Since 2024 these may fly in subcategory A1 below 250 grams take-off mass, and only in A3 from 250 g up to 25 kg. EASA also points out that drones faster than 19 m/s are limited to A3 – which covers most 5-inch quads.
A3 in practice: far from people, and at least 150 metres from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.
Where you may not fly (or only with permission)
On top of the EU regulation, § 21h of the German Air Traffic Order defines geographical zones where drones may only fly under conditions. For hobby FPV these matter most:
| Zone | What applies (simplified) |
|---|---|
| Nature reserves, national parks, Natura 2000 sites | Practically ruled out for sport and leisure flights – only with consent of the nature conservation authority or a different state rule |
| Residential properties | Overflight only with the owner’s consent (or below 250 g without a camera – so never for FPV) |
| Federal highways, federal waterways, railway lines | 100 m lateral distance – unless your height always stays below the lateral distance and that distance is over 10 m |
| Airfields | 1.5 km distance, otherwise consent required |
| Airports | 1 km, plus 5 km along the extended runways – off limits in the open category |
| Industrial sites, hospitals, authorities, emergency scenes | 100 m distance, otherwise consent required |
| Outdoor pools and bathing beaches | only outside bathing and opening hours |
| Airport control zones | only with clearance from air traffic control |
Where exactly these zones are is shown on the dipul map – see geographical zones and the dipul map.
Good FPV spots: what to look for
The rules add up to a fairly clear picture:
- Open ground far from houses and residential areas – meadows, fields outside the growing season, brownfield land.
- No protected areas, no airfield nearby.
- Distance to roads and railways.
- Few people – not only for the rules: spectators distract, and a crash near walkers is dangerous.
- The landowner’s permission when you take off or land on private land.
That is exactly what the FPV Spot Finder searches for: it rates every point around you by its distance to buildings, residential areas, roads, paths, power lines and protected areas, and blocks points that break one of the hard rules. It does not replace the check on dipul – it finds the candidates worth checking.
Model flying clubs: the alternative with its own rules
Members of the large model flying associations fly under their association’s own authorisation (Article 16 of the EU regulation) – often on club fields and with rules that explicitly cover FPV. If you fly regularly, ask your local club.
Frequently asked questions
May I fly FPV completely alone? Not in the open category – you need an observer next to you who sees the drone with the naked eye.
How high may I fly? At most 120 metres above ground.
May I fly in the forest? A forest as such is not a restricted zone. But many forests lie in protected areas, and under trees you quickly lose sight and signal. Check the location on dipul.
Do I need insurance? Yes – liability insurance that covers drones is mandatory in Germany – more in Drone insurance for FPV.