Read the key as text
- Distance
- no fixed distance in metres
- 1 · eye to drone
- direct visual contact
- 2 · no aids
- no binoculars, no screen
- 3 · observer
- stands next to you, assists
- 4 · follow-me in A1
- max. 50 m away
How far can I fly my drone?
There is no fixed maximum distance in metres. The limit is your visual line of sight: you must be able to see the drone clearly without binoculars or a screen and judge its position and surroundings. Here is what that means in practice.
Always within sight
In the open category, the drone must always remain in visual line of sight (VLOS). This means continuous visual contact without aids such as binoculars or a screen (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Article 2(7), Article 4 and Annex UAS.OPEN.060).
Rule of thumb: If you can no longer tell which direction your drone is flying in, it is too far away. Small drones often disappear from view after just a few hundred metres.
The observer
An observer may help: they stand right next to you, watch without binoculars and communicate clearly with you. They do not extend the range, as they are standing in the same place.
FPV goggles
With video goggles you no longer see the drone directly. This is allowed if an observer next to you keeps the drone in sight. You remain responsible for the flight.
Follow-me mode
If the drone follows you automatically, it may be no more than 50 m away from you in subcategory A1.
Distance from people
Besides the distance to you, the distance to others matters. How far you must stay away from uninvolved people depends on your drone:
| Subcategory | Typical drones | Distance from uninvolved people |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | under 250 g (C0) and C1 | with C0, privately built drones under 250 g and older drones without a class under 250 g: flying over individual people is allowed but should be avoided; with C1: no planned overflight of uninvolved people, an unexpected one as short as possible; never over assemblies of people |
| A2 | C2 with A2 certificate | no overflight; at least 30 m horizontally, with low-speed mode switched on and after assessing the situation at least 5 m |
| A3 | C2 to C4, privately built drones and older drones without a class under 25 kg | nobody may be endangered; at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas |
Our article Drone classes C0 to C4 explains which class your drone has.
Sources (as of 28 October 2026)
As of October 2026. This overview is not legal advice; the regulations and the information provided by the authorities are authoritative.
