Drone regulations in Denmark

Flying drones in Denmark

In this article, we highlight the current legal situation for the use of drones in Denmark.

The EU Drone Regulation has been in force in Denmark since December 31, 2020. This has largely harmonized the rules for remote pilots. You only have to register as an operator in one European country and your EU drone license is also recognized across countries. In Denmark, remote pilots who obtain a license are automatically registered. To obtain a competency certificate in Denmark, you need to log in using an online account for government services. We are not sure if you can get one as a non-resident.

Overview of the European rules that apply in Denmark

In Denmark, the regulations of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) apply. The following is a summary of the key facts. For a complete overview, read our article on the new EU drone regulation.

Is registration necessary? Registration is mandatory for all drone operators, unless the drone weighs less than 250 grams and is NOT equipped with sensors to collect personal data (e.g. camera, microphone). Drones that fall under the EU Toys Directive are also exempt. The registration is recognized in all countries that have also introduced the EU Drone Regulation.
LabelsAll drones must be visibly marked with the individual registration number (e-ID). If available, the number must also be loaded into the drones remote identification system. More info on drone badges
Drone licence:Depending on the category, pilots must take exams to obtain the EU drone licence. These are recognised in all countries that have also introduced the EU Drone Regulation.
Differentiation by category: Open Category (with three subcategories), Specific Category and Certified Category; no distinction between private and commercial pilots.
Maximum Altitude:120 Meter in uncontrolled airspace in Open Category.
Keep distance to airports
Respect the privacy of other people

National peculiarities in Denmark

Each country can define certain aspects of its drone regulations. For Denmark, the following requirements apply in addition to the European regulations.

Is drone insurance mandatory? Yes, but not mandatory for C0 drones and unclassified drones weighing less than 250 grams and having a maximum speed of less than 19 m/s. Learn more about drone insurance here.
Minimum age for remote pilots15 years
Contact information

Trafik-, Bygge- og Boligstyrelsen
Carsten Niebuhrs Gade 43
1577 København V
Tel: 7221 8800

Further rules for drone pilots in Denmark

For drone flights in Denmark, you need drone insurance valid in the country, which will cover any damages to third parties. The policy must cover at least 750,000 special drawing rights (approx. 900,000 euros, as of mid-February 2021). Class C0 drones and drones without class designation that were launched on the market before January 1, 2023, weigh less than 250 grams and are not faster than 19 m/s, are exempt from compulsory insurance.

Safety distances and flight bans

Minimum distances have been introduced for some critical areas. For example, drones are not allowed to get closer than 2 kilometers to the take-off and landing sites of medical helicopters, unless the drone pilot has a drone license. In this case, the minimum distance is reduced to 1 kilometer, the maximum height is 50 meters above the height of the landing site.

A distance of five kilometers must be kept to airports. There is even a minimum distance of 8 kilometers to military airports. Here, too, there are exceptions for pilots with a license: They are allowed to get within 2 kilometers to public and military airports, whereby the drone may not be more than 40 meters above the runway.

A number of additional safety distances have been defined in Denmark:

  • 2.5 meters to residential buildings (exceptions for approved work)
  • 5 meters to overhead lines
  • 15 meters to the railway system
  • 150 meters to the royal residences, Christiansborg Palace, Prime Minister Marienborg residence, embassies, police stations, prisons, probation services and similar facilities. 
  • 300 meters to military area, including the royal residence guarded by the armed forces and temporarily military area, unless the Defense Command has given prior approval.
  • 150 meters to police and rescue teams.

Flights over public roads with a speed limit of more than 70 km / h are only permitted with a permit.

Restricted areas can be checked in this map

drone map denmark
Map with restricted fly zones in Denmark

Good to know: Rules in Greenland and the Faroe Islands

Although Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of Denmark, the rules described in this article do not apply to these areas. Currently, these regulations from 2004 are legally binding for these regions.

We have researched the listed drone regulations for Denmark to the best of our knowledge. We can not guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, please contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Denmark!

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About the author

Since January 2015, we travel around the world. In our backpack we carry a camera drone which we use to capture the best places from a bird’s perspective. First we travelled with a DJI Phantom 2. But now we use several drones like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ or the DJI Mini 3 Pro. On our blog we share the best tips for you about travelling with a drone. If you have questions about this article or new information, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment!

Discussions

  • regairaz | 26.03.2018

    nice to read you!
    I will go to Greenland this summer to embarq on a sailboat. I will take a flight from Copenhagen to Upernavik . Do I need specific authorization to take my Mavic Pro in my cabin bag?
    Best regards
    Bernard

    • Francis Markert | 29.06.2018

      I don’t think so 🙂

  • Sam Daher | 12.04.2018

    Hey there, I wanted to clarify the following: I will be traveling to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway and will be bringing my drone with me. I am keen on using the drone only in Sweden and Norway but will be flying into Denmark Airport and traveling to the Sweden and Norway via Eurail. Having said that, do I still need to register my drone in Denmark if I will not use it? Can you please advise? Thanks!

    • Francis Markert | 29.06.2018

      I think you do not need the registration if you’re drone stays in the backpack.

  • Pavlos Euthymiou | 23.05.2018

    Hi Francis, great blog! I was wondering. I’m going to the Faroe Islands next summer and will stop two nights in Copenhagen before taking the plane to the islands, but do not intend to fly my Mavic Air in Copenhagen. Do I need any kind of permit? Also, for the Faroes, they say you MUST HAVE an INSURANCE for your drone. Do you know anything about that?

    • Sam Daher | 29.05.2018

      Hey Pavlos,
      I recently contact the Danish Customs and below is their response:
      Dear Sam,
      You may take your drone with you in Denmark as long it´s for private use, or else you have to contact a forwarder and then they can help you.

      Venlig hilsen Lisbeth Vadt
      Told
      Told 18
      Københavns Lufthavn, Kystvejen 16, 2770 Kastrup
      Mail: [email protected]

      • Pavlos Euthymiou | 30.05.2018

        Hi Sam, thanks a lot for taking the time to answer me. I think I’ll have no problems with the Air. Besides, I don’t intend to fly it in Copenhagen, only the Faroes. The Faroes regulation do say you have to have an ‘insurance’ for your drone. I’ve read other people say that had no issues entring the country with a drone, so maybe it is also just a formal regulation no one follows. Thanks a lot and cheers from Rio.

    • John Cocci | 23.08.2018

      Hello,

      Have you made your trip to the Faroe Islands yet? I am heading there next month an wantr to take my drone but trying to figure out the rules/laws. I too will not be flying in Copenhagen only in Faroe.

  • Gabriel Brito | 08.10.2018

    Hey buddy, When i’m trying to fulfill the fields for registering, it doesn’t shows Denmark as country.

    Is that really right way to proceed?

  • Duong | 30.11.2018

    Hello,
    I’m coming to Copenhagen within December and i have a DJI Marvic Air, so what do i need to fly the drone in the city area.
    Thank you

  • Vikram | 13.01.2019

    Hi Francis.
    Thanks for the great blog!
    I am planning to buy an rc plane from hobbyking and wanted to know the rules of flying in copenhagen?
    Do I need to register for a license?
    The total weight of the aircraft is 3kg.

    Thanks in advance.

  • ARMI INGRATTA | 30.01.2019

    Hi Everyone, I’m going to Copenhagen this weekend and wanted to take my Mavic 2 Pro. We will be staying in Hellerup and visiting Nyhavn, Frederiksberg and Norreport. I did the test but if I read it correctly I can’t fly my drone anywhere in central Copenhagen because the areas I mention above are all inhabited areas. But I also checked the Naviair map and it doesn’t show any restrictions in Hellerup.
    Can you please help. Thanks

    • Jeppe | 06.03.2019

      The Naviair app only shows if the air space is restricted. It doesn’t show if flying is allowed in the area. You still have to follow the rules of not flying in inhabited areas

  • Claudia Arce | 16.03.2019

    Dear Francis, I went through the BL9-4_uk which according to your blog still applys for Greenland. I am planning to use my small drone there in summer. I am not sure whether I need a drone registration for Greenland or not. Could you help out?
    Thanks, Claudia

  • Nara | 03.04.2019

    Dear Francis,
    My drone had small accident in Denmark and now flies only on 45 degrees up, and it doesn´t fly straight up 90 anymore, wanted to ask, can you recommend where I could fix it? Fast and Cheap?

  • Oliver | 09.05.2019

    Does someone know whether it is allowed or restricted to fly in areas marked as “Naturområde” or “sensitive fauna”?
    Or where to ask for permission?

    Thx

  • Jon | 24.06.2019

    Hi Francis. Is there still an exemption for Greenland, and do they also apply to commercial situations?

  • Gustavo | 02.01.2020

    Hi Francis, I have a doubt. It is possible to flight in the city area of Copenhague with a Mavic Mini (249 gr) and a insurance, if I want to flight in a recreative mode? Or I need to do the presencial training and is only restricted to profesional flight? Thanks a lot

  • Mathes | 25.02.2020

    Sorry but those links doesnt work.. Could you check those? I’m trying to find whereI can do the registration but with no success

  • Sebastian | 21.05.2020

    No its not

  • Drone Traveller Team | 30.05.2020

    Hi all,
    We have now updated the links in this article, so they should be working again.

  • Ubah | 01.03.2022

    Hello, I’m flying from America headed to Copenhagen with a Dji mini 2 and was wondering do I need to register it with Denmark or just in the US it weighs 249g?

    • Francis Markert | 02.03.2022

      Hello Ubah,
      you have to register yourself as an operator in Denmark.

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