Drone Laws In Amsterdam [March 2023] [Rules & How to Register]

Drone laws in Amsterdam is a regulation structure by which quadcopters are controlled. These are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles. The legislation in force in Amsterdam and other parts of the world are meant to control the use of drones in public areas. 

There are numerous regulations put in place to ensure drones are flown safely. Although flying a drone may seem like fun and games to you, it can actually be very serious and there are many laws you need to make sure you follow.

You can even end up breaking the law by failing to comply with how you fly your drone. If you fail to comply with these rules and regulations, the penalties can be very severe.

If you’re considering flying a drone for an aerial photography and videography business, the chances are that you’ve already done some research on drone laws in the US. 

Drone Laws In Amsterdam Are Different

To recap: drone laws vary from country to country, city to city, and even between different parts of the same city. Some cities have their own set of guidelines for flying drones.

In Amsterdam, you can only fly within a certain distance of the airport. And if you do manage to get your drone off the ground in Amsterdam, you’ll need to keep it within a certain radius around you.

Drones Under 250 Grams Do Not Need To Be Registered.

Drones that weigh under 250 grams do not need to be registered. This means that their requirements are different from larger drones. For example, if you are flying a drone that is less than 250 grams, you can fly it at 50 meters above ground, and in parks and forests. However, if you have a drone that weighs more than 250 grams, you must register it with the Dutch Aviation Authority

Drones 250 Grams Need To Be Registered.

Drones that weigh 250 grams through 2 kilograms must be registered with the Netherlands aviation authority. Registration costs 10 euros and is valid for 5 years.

To register, you need to know your drone’s manufacturer, model and serial number. If you are a foreign national, you must register in your home country. If you are a Dutch national, you must register with the Dutch aviation authority (RDW).

Drones Over 2 Kilograms Must Have A Flight Permit

If your drone weighs more than 2 kilograms, you’ll need to apply for a flight permit from the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Note that this is not an optional procedure—it is a legal requirement.

To apply for a flight permit, you’ll need to specify the location where you plan to fly, as well as the purpose of your flight (e.g., surveying, collecting data). It’s important to note that a number of locations in Amsterdam are off limits due to safety and security risks, including military bases and airports.

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence may request additional information during the application process. The cost varies depending on the nature of your request; most applications will be processed within five days while some may take up to three weeks.

Those who fail to abide by Netherlands drone law may be fined or penalized with imprisonment.

Registered Drones Must Have A Sticker

Drones must be registered before they can be flown. To do so, you must visit the dutch registration portal and pay a one-time registration fee. When you register your drone, the portal will assign you a unique registration number, which you will use to apply for a flight permit.

Registered drones must have a sticker with the owner’s registration number on it, which must be easily visible. If for some reason this is not possible (e.g., stickers are not allowed on drones in specific competitions), then an alternative means of displaying the registration number should be used instead (e.g., writing it in permanent marker on the body of the drone). If a drone does not have its registration number showing, it may be considered unregistered and therefore illegal to fly.

Consider Dutch Drone Laws When Traveling To Amsterdam.

It’s important to know Dutch drone laws when traveling to Amsterdam. Knowing the drone laws can help you avoid legal issues and fees. Drone laws are different in different countries. It’s important to know the laws in the country you are visiting. If you are caught flying a drone in a restricted area, you could be fined

Where You Can’t Fly Drones

• You can’t fly drones within 50 meters of people or buildings.
• This includes buildings where people are working, living, under construction, visiting (like a museum), or in public sports stadiums.

You Must Always Maintain Visibility Of Your Drone

It is your responsibility to keep the drone in sight at all times. If your drone is equipped with a camera and you are using it to fly, it must be within a visual distance of 300 meters (984 feet). In other words, you must always maintain visibility of your drone and keep it within a distance of 300 meters.

We advise against flying higher than 100 meters (328 feet) because this is the maximum height you can remain visible to a person on the ground. To make sure you can still see your drone, we recommend buying goggles or a screen that allow you to see through the lens of the camera.

If there are other people around, we also recommend giving them headphones so they can listen for any emergency calls from air traffic controllers.

You Can Not Fly Your Drone Over Crowds

It is illegal to fly your drone over people or in crowds. You cannot fly your drone over people or in crowds unless you have permission from a government organization and have the proper licenses.

You Can Not Fly A Drone In Bad Weather

The visibility rules for drones are very similar to the weather rules. You cannot fly a drone in bad weather or poor visibility. The safety concerns are the same as with bad weather.

However, you might be wondering how your visibility is determined by the weather. There are several factors that will influence this, including foggy conditions like haze, mist, and low clouds; rain; and smoke or dust in the air.

You should also keep in mind that this applies to civil aviation authorities around the world, so even if you aren’t flying over Amsterdam, you still need to be aware of these laws to avoid getting into trouble.

You Must Follow The Instructions Of Air Traffic Controllers

You must follow the instructions of air traffic controllers. If you do not see any aircraft, you can fly within 100m of the airport. If you see any aircraft, keep at least 150m from the airport. When landing or taking off, stay at least 300m from the airport.

If your drone weighs more than 4kgs, it is forbidden to fly near crowded places and it is prohibited to fly over groups of people unless they are involved in your flight activity.

Do Not Fly A Drone Near Emergency Services

You are not allowed to fly a drone near emergency services or disaster relief operations. Drones can interfere with the work of emergency services, and first responders. They could be mistaken for other aircraft, or otherwise interfere with the operation. This applies to both manned and unmanned aircraft.

Stay Alert When Flying Around Airports

• Do not fly a drone near airports. This is pretty standard, but it bears repeating: do not bring your drone anywhere near an airport.
• For example, if you’re leaving Schiphol Airport and you want to fly your drone around the city but don’t have any desire to visit the Anne Frank Museum or the Heineken Experience, note that Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport is only 10 kilometers away from the city center. The last thing anyone wants when flying a drone in Amsterdam is to crash it into a plane!
• Do not fly a drone over people or in crowds. Drones are generally considered personal property, and no one wants personal property interfering with their personal space.
• Plus, if you accidentally crash your drone into someone’s head while they’re walking down the street and minding their own business, they’ll probably become angry with you. The best way to avoid this type of situation is to avoid flying over people or in crowds altogether—that way everyone stays happy and safe!

Amsterdam Is Pretty Strict

If you want to fly your drone in Amsterdam, you’ll need to get some information about the local laws, especially if you’ve never flown before.

It’s wise to take a moment and check the Dutch laws governing drones before you head out with it. At a minimum, it seems that unmanned aircraft must be flown at least five kilometers away from airfields and airports. However, this is not exhaustive; there may be limits on flying certain places or heights even outside of these areas.

Frequently Asked Question (drone Laws In Amsterdam)

What Do I Need To Know About Drone Laws In Amsterdam?

• You must be at least 16 years old to fly a drone in Amsterdam.
• You must have a drone pilot’s license.
• Drones are not allowed to fly above 120 meters (400 feet).
• Drones must stay away from airports and airfields.

Is There Anywhere I Cannot Fly My Drone In Amsterdam?

Yes. In Amsterdam, drones are allowed to fly over the city, but not within 25 meters of buildings or people. It is also illegal to fly a drone at night and if you want to take pictures with your drone you will need permission from the owner of whatever building you want to take pictures of. These are just some of the many laws for flying drones in Amsterdam and other cities in The Netherlands.

Do I Need To Register My Drone With The Civil Aviation Authority?

• You do not need to register your drone with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Only if you fly for commercial purposes, you will need to get a pilot certificate.
• To get a pilot certificate you can go to the CAA or you can also do this online.

Do I Need Insurance For My Drone?

In general, you are not required to have insurance for your drone. However, there are some important exceptions. If you’re flying in a commercial capacity or if your drone has a camera attached, then yes—you’ll want to make sure that it is insured.

Conclusion

All in all, it’s important for drone pilots to know the ins and outs of the drone laws in Amsterdam. Unbeknownst to many visitors, the laws vary from country to country, and even from province to province within a country. Pilots must be aware of their destination’s drone laws before they ever lift off.

Many countries also have local laws that apply to areas near airports and military bases. Ignorance is not a protected defense under such circumstances, so let this be a lesson to be learned by many pilots: always know your destination’s drone laws!