How high can I fly my drone?

The short answer: no more than 120 metres. Here we explain how this height is measured and when you may exceptionally fly higher. The rules apply throughout the EU and in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The 120-metre rule

In the open category, i.e. normal flying without a special authorisation, your drone may be no more than 120 m from the closest point of the surface of the earth (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Annex UAS.OPEN.010).

Exception near tall obstacles

If there is an artificial obstacle taller than 105 m, such as a radio mast, and the person responsible for it requests it, the drone may fly up to 15 m above the obstacle within 50 m of it. Without such a request, the limit remains 120 m.

What the drone itself must be able to do

Drones of class C0 are limited at the factory to 120 m above the take-off point. Drones of classes C1, C2 and C3 have this limit or an adjustable height limiter. This technology helps, but it does not replace your own view of the terrain.

Model flyers in a club

Members of the German model flying associations DMFV and MFSD may fly higher than 120 m under the conditions set by their association, including proof of knowledge issued by the association, within visual line of sight and observing airspace and restricted zones. This is permitted by an operational authorisation from the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) for the associations. For everyone else, the 120 m limit applies.

Lower than you think

120 m is the upper limit. Certain places have their own, lower limits, for example the control zones of major airports. Check the dipul map (Germany’s federal digital platform for unmanned aviation) before every flight. More on this in our article Where can I fly my drone?

As of October 2026. This overview is not legal advice; the regulations and the information provided by the authorities are authoritative.