Rules for
flying drones in Norway

We totally understand that you would love to fly your drone to document beautiful Norway! But there are some important things you have to keep in mind...

• Always stay up to date on the latest drone flying rules and regulations and air traffic situation.
• Failure to follow the rules and regulations can lead to fines or a prison sentence.
• Use common sense when flying drones. Just because you are allowed to fly in a certain area doesn't mean that you should.
• Avoid flying drones near other people, especially in quiet areas where people seek solitude and peace.
• Be respectful of people's privacy. Don't film them, or their private property, unless you have consent.
• If you're publishing your material online for all to see, it's vital that people in the footage have consented to it.

Quaint little fishing villages in Norway, like Henningsvær and Reine in Lofoten, are very popular amongst tourists and drone operators, but it's important to be mindful of the fact that people live there and don't necessarily want their daily lives to be filmed. The same goes for people visiting popular hiking spots.

Read more below about where and how you're allowed to fly a drone.

Basic rules

• You must be registered as a drone operator in your home country (EU citizens). If you come from a country outside the EU, other rules apply.
• Russian citizens and entities are banned from flying drones in Norway.

Most people will fly in what's known as the open category.

The following rules apply to the open category:

• The maximum drone weight is 25 kilograms
• The pilot must be able to see the drone at all times
• Flying higher than 120 metres from the nearest point of solid ground is prohibited
• Carrying dangerous items is prohibited
• Dropping items is prohibited
• The drone must be marked with your operator number

Other things you need to be aware of:

• Make sure you have liability insurance
• If your drone weighs more than 250 grams, you need a valid EASA certificate of competence.

Read the full updated rules at the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority's website.

Where can you fly?

Before your drone leaves the ground, it's your responsibility to make sure that you're allowed to fly it there.

To take off and land in an area, you need permission from the land owner.

There are also several restricted areas in Norway to be aware of:

• You must remain at least 5 kilometres away from all airports.
• Flying in a restricted or dangerous area without a permit is prohibited. These include areas with air traffic, above city and town centres, military firing ranges, and places where there's been an accident.
• Some air space has restrictions for airborne sensors that can collect information through photos, videos, data, etc. The Norwegian National Security Authority has more information on this. You must always notify the authorities that you're flying with a sensor (even regular cameras) if you're not a Norwegian citizen.
• Nature conservation areas may have their own rules for drones. Many of these areas are marked with signs, but not all of them.
• Flying over prisons, embassies, and military areas/vessels without permission is prohibited. These areas may also have restrictions regarding airborne sensors.
• Always keep your distance from the emergency services.
• Flying above oil rigs and platforms is prohibited unless you have permission.
• Find information about short-term or dangerous conditions at IPPC.no.

Read the full, updated rules at the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority's website.