Where can I fly a drone?
In the Netherlands, you cannot just fly a drone anywhere. Where you can and cannot fly a drone depends on the risk of accidents and other possible consequences. Maps exist showing the no-fly zones.
Total no-fly zones for drones
There are several places in the Netherlands where you cannot fly drones at all. You cannot fly drones:
- above palaces and other buildings belonging to the Royal House;
- above protected nature conservation areas above the Wadden Sea.
No-fly zones for low-risk flights (open category)
Special rules apply for low-risk flights (open category (in Dutch). In this category, drones cannot be flown above:
- government buildings;
- military sites including military training areas;
- events or other temporarily closed-off areas;
- roads with a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour or higher;
- railway lines;
- areas around airports;
- some Natura 2000 sites (the province or land manager decides this);
- hospital helipads;
- high-voltage power lines;
- groundwater protection areas (drinking water);
- large sea ports;
- business premises where dangerous substances are kept;
- secured areas;
- areas where the emergency services are active;
- low-flying routes and areas. Here, drones that meet the following requirements can be flown at a maximum of 30 metres above the ground:
- A1 category weighing a maximum of 250 grams;
- A2 category weighing a maximum of 4 kilograms.
No-fly zones for medium-risk flights (specific category)
Special rules apply for medium-risk flights (specific category) (in Dutch). You can only carry out medium-risk flights if you have an operating licence. The licence states where you can and cannot fly.
Maps of no-fly zones
There are various maps that show where you can and cannot fly drones, or where you can only fly them under certain conditions. You can find maps of the open category no-fly zones in the Netherlands via: GoDrone and Aeret Kaartviewer.
Please note: The actual situation can differ from that shown on the maps. Always look around to check if there are power cables, people, cranes and other tall objects or other air traffic. Stop flying if there is a risk of endangering other air traffic, people, animals, the environment or property.
You can also download the zones as a JSON file. At present, the file can be uploaded to a limited number of drone types. You can then see in the drone’s operating system the zones where you can and cannot fly. Consult the drone’s instruction manual for a guide to using this file.