Legal bases for drone operation
The relevant legal bases in the field of unmanned aviation have been laid down at European and at national level. In 2018, the foundation for the legal bases at European level was laid with the new Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (Basic Regulation). Building on this Basic Regulation, the two Regulations 2019/945 and 2019/947 were adopted in 2019 which govern the operation, manufacture and placing on the market of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The national legal bases have been supplemented and adapted to the EU Regulations.
Overview of various legal bases for the use of drones in Europe and specifically in Germany
In order to lay down the rules for unmanned aviation, the following Regulations were published at European level (Links German only):
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 of 12 March 2019
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 of 22 April 2021
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/665 of 22 April 2021
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/666 of 22 April 2021
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is responsible for the regulation and supervision of civil aviation in Europe and provides a summary of Easy Access Rules for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945).
The following laws and regulations were adopted at national level to regulate unmanned aviation (Links German only):
- LuftVG – Civil Aviation Act
- LuftVO – Rules of the Air Regulations
- LuftVZO – Regulations on Certification and Licensing in Aviation
- Act to adapt national rules to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft
European and national rules on drone operation are summarized in the following overview: