Drone Operator Certificate (UAS)

Anyone operating a drone (unmanned aircraft system, UAS) weighing 250 grams or more in Germany must register as a UAS operator with the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA). After registration, you receive a unique electronic registration number (e-ID) that must be displayed on every drone you operate. Registration is done online through the LBA portal.

For flights beyond the "open" category (for example, flying over crowds, beyond visual line of sight, or in controlled airspace), you need an operating permit from the state aviation authority (Landesluftfahrtbehörde). The permit application must follow the SORA methodology to assess operational risks. Since January 2026, new applications must use SORA version 2.5. Permits are typically limited in duration and may include conditions on equipment, training, and operational procedures.