Drone laws in Austria (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Austria applies the EU drone rules. Operators must register if the drone weighs 250 g or more or has a camera, must be at least 18, and need liability insurance where registration is required.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Operator registrationRecreational flying (open category) | Operators must register online if they operate drones of 250 g or more, or lighter drones that are high-speed drones or have a camera. This also applies to operators of model aircraft. [1] |
| Pilot competencyRecreational flying (open category) | A drone pilot licence (Drohnenführerschein) is compulsory for drones of 250 g or more take-off weight. Open-category drones may only be flown by remote pilots whose competency is at least that required by UAS.OPEN.020(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2019/947. [1] |
| Liability insuranceRecreational flying (open category) | Yes [2] |
| Maximum heightRecreational flying (open category) | 120 m [3] |
| Remote IDRecreational flying (open category) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| EU class-marked dronesRecreational flying (open category) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Operator registration feeRecreational flying (open category) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum age to register as operator | 18 years [2] |
| Minimum age to flyRecreational flying (open category) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- Insurance is required where registration is required. Open-category drones that need no registration are exempt, and one blanket policy for all of an operator's drones is allowed.
Sources
- Bundesministerium für Innovation, Mobilität und Infrastruktur (oesterreich.gv.at): EU-Rechtsrahmen und nationale Regelungen für Drohnen im Überblick (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Bundeskanzleramt (RIS): Luftfahrtgesetz § 24j, Bundesrecht konsolidiert, Fassung vom 30.10.2026 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Publications Office of the European Union: Durchführungsverordnung (EU) 2019/947 der Kommission vom 24. Mai 2019 über die Vorschriften und Verfahren für den Betrieb unbemannter Luftfahrzeuge (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.