Drone Laws in Denmark: EASA Rules, Urban Restrictions, and Greenland/Faroe Exceptions (2026)

Denmark adopted the EU's EASA drone framework directly as a member state. EU Regulation 2019/947 applies in full, with the same Open, Specific, and Certified risk categories used across Europe. No distinction exists between recreational and commercial flying. Operations are classified by risk level only.

Registration is required for any drone weighing 250g or more, or any drone with a camera or sensor. Register through the Trafikstyrelsen online portal to receive a unique operator ID (eID) that must be displayed on every drone. As of BEK 527 (effective July 1, 2025), registration is valid for 3 years and must be renewed before expiration. Previously, registration had no expiration date.

The July 2025 amendment (BEK no. 527) changed several important rules beyond registration validity. The minimum distance to instrument-flight (IMC) airfields increased from 5 km to 8 km. Tethered drones must now comply with all standard drone flying rules, losing their previous exemptions. The minimum insurance sum of DKK 750,000 was removed for sub-250g drones owned by private individuals for hobby use, though you still need valid liability insurance.

Denmark adds several national restrictions on top of the EASA baseline. Two stand out: the urban professional-only rule and the 2.5-meter residential building distance.

Urban flying: professional purposes only

Denmark restricts all drone flying in urban areas to professional purposes. Recreational flying in cities, towns, and built-up areas is banned. This is stricter than the base EASA framework and has the biggest practical impact on tourists. If you are visiting Copenhagen, Aarhus, or any Danish city and want to fly a drone for fun or personal photography, you cannot legally do so within urban boundaries. Professional operators must still comply with all other rules (registration, certificates, insurance, distance requirements).

2.5-meter residential building rule

Drones must maintain at least 2.5 meters distance from residential buildings that lack property boundaries (fences, hedges, or walls). If the property has a fence or hedge, the rule does not apply. Property owner consent also overrides this restriction. This is a uniquely Danish rule with no equivalent in the standard EASA framework.

Medical helicopter distance

Denmark requires a 2 km minimum distance from medical helicopter takeoff and landing sites. With an A2 certificate, this reduces to 1 km, with a maximum flight height of 50 m above the landing site elevation. This is more restrictive than the standard EASA baseline and affects flying near hospitals and emergency facilities.

Privacy requirements

Denmark enforces GDPR through its Data Protection Act, with the Danish Data Protection Agency (Datatilsynet) issuing drone-specific guidance. Key requirements include blurring faces of filmed individuals and not starting camera recording until the drone reaches its work target. For example, during a roof inspection, you must not record footage while flying to the building. Data minimization principles apply to all drone-collected data. Privacy impact assessments are required for certain commercial operations. For more on drone privacy law, see our drone spying laws guide.

Denmark's airspace map combines EASA-standard airport zones with unique national restrictions. The July 2025 BEK 527 amendment widened airport buffer zones, and the September 2025 Copenhagen Airport incident demonstrated the government's willingness to impose total bans.

Copenhagen

Most of central Copenhagen falls within restricted or controlled airspace. Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) creates a massive restricted zone, and since July 2025, the minimum distance to this IMC airfield is 8 km. Heliport restrictions apply throughout the city. Combined with the urban professional-only rule, recreational drone flights in Copenhagen are effectively impossible. Christiania, Tivoli, Nyhavn, and Amager Strandpark all fall within restricted zones. Professional operators need Specific category authorization for most central city flights.

Aarhus

Aarhus Airport (Tirstrup) is classified as an IMC airfield, creating an 8 km restricted zone under BEK 527. The airport sits 35 km northeast of the city center, so the restriction zone has less impact on downtown. Standard urban rules apply in the city center (professional use only). Marselisborg Palace, the royal summer residence, is likely a restricted area. Check droneluftrum.dk for Aarhus-specific zones.

Other notable locations

September 2025 nationwide drone ban

Following the Copenhagen Airport incursion and drone sightings at Danish military bases, the Danish Transportation Ministry banned all civilian drone flights nationwide from September 29 to October 3, 2025. This coincided with a European summit in Copenhagen. The ban was described as an unprecedented peacetime measure, intended to eliminate confusion between legal and potentially hostile drones. The incident was part of a broader 2025 European drone sighting wave that also closed Oslo Airport and prompted NATO to consider tougher responses. For more on drone regulations in response to security incidents, see our drone no-fly zones guide.

Denmark allows temporary import of drones for personal use without special customs duties. The critical detail is whether you plan to fly on mainland Denmark (EASA rules apply) or in Greenland or the Faroe Islands (EASA rules do not apply).

EU visitors (mainland Denmark)

Your home country EASA registration (eID) is valid in Denmark. Your EASA certificates transfer directly. You must follow Danish national restrictions, including the urban professional-only rule, the 8 km IMC airport distance, and the 2.5 m residential building rule. Check droneluftrum.dk for local restrictions.

Non-EU visitors (mainland Denmark)

Register as an operator through the Trafikstyrelsen portal if Denmark is your first EU country. Complete the A1/A3 course and exam (same EASA requirements as all EU states). Obtain liability insurance. Danish Customs confirms no special import duty for personal-use drones.

Greenland

Greenland is governed by the Danish Air Navigation Act, specifically BL 9-4. EU-approved drone certificates are not valid. Commercial or larger drone flights require dispensation from authorities. You must be 18 or older to fly. The max altitude is 100 m (not 120 m). Key distance rules include 5 km from public aerodromes, 8 km from military airbases, and 150 m from towns, residential areas, and major roads. The National Park of Greenland (the world's largest national park), Melville Bay, and Angujaartorfiup Nunaa all prohibit drone overflights.

Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands operate under a separate Faroese Order on Drones. EU licenses are not valid. The max altitude is 100 m, the distance from Vagar Airport (the only airport) is 5 km, and flying is prohibited above summerhouses, camping areas, and public gatherings. Ramsar-protected areas (Mykines, Nolsoy, Skuvoy) ban drones completely. The fine for illegal flying is DKK 5,000 (approximately EUR 670). There is no registration system like mainland Denmark. Contact local authorities before flying.

For general advice on traveling with drones, see our taking a drone on a plane guide. For more on drone rules in other countries, check our countries where drones are banned overview.

Denmark uses the same EASA Open/Specific/Certified framework as all EU member states, with one major caveat: the urban professional-only rule means that all urban flying is de facto commercial or professional.

Open category

Standard EASA rules apply for drones under 25 kg, flown within VLOS, at or below 120 m. Subcategories A1, A2, and A3 determine proximity to people. A1/A3 and A2 certificates are obtained through Trafikstyrelsen. Urban flying is restricted to professional purposes only, making this the most impactful Danish-specific rule for operators.

Specific category

Required when exceeding Open category limits: BVLOS operations, flights above 120 m, drones over 25 kg, or operations closer to people than Open allows. Authorization methods include STS (Standard Scenario), SORA, or LUC (Light UAS Operator Certificate). Processing time for operating permits ranges from 4 to 12 months depending on complexity. Cross-border operators must first obtain home country authorization, then apply to Trafikstyrelsen under Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

Night flying

Night flying is allowed under current EASA rules with a flashing green light visible from the ground and VLOS maintained at all times. Starting and landing areas must be lit. Night is defined as the period after evening civil twilight until morning civil twilight. All location restrictions apply equally at night, and urban night flights must meet the professional-use requirement. For tips on night flying equipment and techniques, see our night flying guide.

Insurance

Liability insurance is required for commercial operations and all drones over 250g. Under BEK 527, the minimum insurance sum of DKK 750,000 was removed for sub-250g hobby drones owned by private individuals. You still need valid liability insurance; the change only removed the minimum coverage floor. For more on drone insurance, see our drone insurance cost guide.