Drone regulations in Norway
Drone Blog | 29 Kommentare Last update on 02.10.2020
In this article, we collected all the relevant rules for the use of drones in Norway.
In Norway, drones used for leisure activities belong to model aircraft. For all other copters, there are three categories:
- RO 1: drones up to a take-off weight of 2.5 kilograms and with a maximum speed of 60 knots (111 km/h). Drones of the RO1 category must have a fail-safe function. Pilots only have to make a statement that they adhere to the relevant rules for this type.
- RO 2: flying weight up to 25 kilograms and a maximum speed of 80 knots. This class requires licensing of the pilot.
- RO 3: All maneuvers exceeding previous specifications.
For flights in categories RO 2 and RO 3, an Operators License is necessary.
Overview: Drone rules in Norway
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Further rules for drone pilots in Norway
Drones must always be operated within visual line of sight in Norwegian airspace. The maximum permissible ascent altitude is 120 meters (400 feet).
A duty to have drone insurance exists only for commercial users in Norway. However, having liability insurance is always recommended.
There is no weight limit for private drones. Commercial users should look at the classification mentioned above.
Safety distances and flight bans
Your copter must keep a distance of 5 kilometers to Norwegian airports.
You are not allowed to fly with a drone within 1 mile of the Oslo Castle. To find other No-Fly-Zones, you can use the map on safetofly.no. In particular, you should have “forbudsområder” and “vernesoner” displayed on the map.
Model aircraft (private drones) must keep a distance of 150 meters to persons, buildings, and any traffic. Commercial drones have to maintain 150 meters to gatherings of people (from 100 people) and 50 meters to uninvolved persons, vehicles, and buildings. Do not fly above festivals, sporting events, military property or accident sites.
Drones flights are allowed at night only under the supervision of a model sports club. Commercial pilots must fulfill special conditions to carry out night flights.
Good to know: The same laws as in Norway apply in Svalbard.
We have researched the listed drone regulations for Norway 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 Norway!
From looking this up online, I have been under the impression that for Norway, even if non-commerical, you still need to follow RO 1 rules and do the whole Operations Manual, flight log, Declaration form, etc.
Never mind, I finally figured out how I was mistaken. Norway does indeed only have those RO1-3 requirements just for Commercial usage. Private/hobby fliers don’t have to worry about all that stuff.
This is an excellent blog! I’m impressed by all the work laid down to write about the drone regulations in so many countries. I’m from Norway myself and this looks absolutely right. 🙂 But I guess you knew that. A great resource for drone pilots.. Now I’m going to read about Spain which I’m going to this summer. Andreas
Hello,
I’m a private person and I would like to make a travel to Norway this year with my drone. I found the “Declarationform RPAS-operator 1” but I do not have a company and I am not a manager. Do I need to send the Declaration form?
Hopefully you have allready been in Norway with your Drone. You do not need any declaration for a normal photo Drone in Norway.
I’m Norwegian and I have flew almost enywhere.
Off not in the Citys and close to airport/military innstallation
Hello Andreas,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. We’ll continue the work 😉
Best regards, Francis
Where can we get the flight permit?
kindly is there any rules or instruction in the fjords or sea cruise
Also I’m planning to go to Preikestolen, is it allow to fly with Mavic Pro?
since this year (2018) it is not allowed to fly drones at preikkestolen any more. 200M before you reach preikestolen a sing tells you that there are no drones allowed from this point.
I can confirm. There’s a sign forbidding drone from that point.
Drones are however allowed BEFORE the sign (the start of the narrow path), so you can still take nice videos in the area 🙂
Besides, the rock itself is usually full of people, so the use of a drone would have been impossible/forbidden anyway.
Hello Ali,
This is certainly dependent on the Cruise operator. At most instances, you’re not allowed to launch your drone from the ship as it has the potential to damage important navigational aids. I would recommend checking with the ship operator as it depends upon the master (and will mostly NOT allow it).
I am from the shipping business, working part time on Expedition Cruises.
Best regards,
Hello, this is a great blog! Thanks for the good post. I’m a private person and I’ll go for a holiday trip to Bergen, Norway. Do you know that I need to fill the form on the following link (my drone is under RO-1 category) to get the flight permit or not? Thx, Daniel
# link removed / no longer available #
Hi Daniel,
Thank you! The RO1 category is only applicable for non-private drone flights.
Cheers, Francis
Please note that there are no-fly zones over many national parks for example nesting areas for birds etc.
This website has all the info but only in Norwegian
https://www.safetofly.no
Click the “forbudsområder” and the “vernesoner” boxes. That will show you all the protected areas as well as no fly zones. Some of the protected areas are still allowed to fly in but you have to do some digging in the particular regulation text of that area to 100% make sure its legal to fly in that area. Easiest way: avoid all protected zones.
Hello Halfdan,
Thank you for your support and the valuable link. I added the source to the article. Happy flying!
Hi Francis
I hope you could help me please.
I am due to go on a Cruise to the Fjords in 2 weeks time and would like to know when i am on land (not at sea) if i am able to use my DJI spark drone ? Are there any rules, instruction or even licenses required for Norway?
Thank you
If you read the article above, you will find the answers 😉
I am hoping to take pictures of the railway between Flåm and Myrdal, strictly for private use, (although I have passed the PfCO) next year. Under 2.5Kg (Mavic pro). All this area is shown on ‘safetofly.no’ as restricted K6 or K6Z. Can anyone enlighten me? National Park? Military? Is one allowed to fly in this area?
For commercial usage I need a registration. But is uploading my footage on Youtube or Dji’s SkyPixel without any commercial intention also forbidden?
I am also waiting for the answer from the Norwegian office because it looks like, when your business is not registered in Norway you should not need RO license (but not sure atm).
Hi all! I am planning to take some video in Senja, maybe Segla and some other peaks, for private use. I can’t find any information of the regulation in that area. Could you give me some information regarding regulation? Thanks a lot.
According to the map from safetofly.no you are mostly safe to fly 😀
There is some small restricted areas (protected)
https://www.safetofly.no/embedded/f669486b-d04c-4d49-bb86-072c67dac662
Heya 🙂 It looks as if all RO1 pilots need to fill out this simple form before heading to Norway and flying, am I right in thinking that?
https://luftfartstilsynet.no/globalassets/dokumenter/skjema/dronerpas/nf-1114e-declaration-form-ro1.pdf
from: https://luftfartstilsynet.no/en/drones/commercial-use-of-drones/about-dronesrpas/ro1/
can i use drone my garden under 2m hight in Norway
Hi,
Using a drone on your own property at an appropriate height for private use shouldn’t be a problem as long as you don’t endanger other people, animals or aircraft.
Hey Guys, thanks for the blog. I am drone pilot with a CAA license (UK version). If I was to fly commercially in Norway, would this be ok or would I need Norway specific authorisation? If so any ideas how I can get this? And anyone know of commercial drone pilots in Norway? Thank you, Simon
Hi Simon,
There are different categories for drone operations in Norway, which are defined by drone weight, speed, altitude, line of sight, etc. Each category has different requirements, so we can’t fully answer your questions without knowing what you’re planning. If you stay within the lowest category, for example, you don’t need a permit, but you have to notify the aviation authority. Have a look at their official website. It has a lot of information about the requirements for commercial pilots and also a list of registered operators.