All Drone Laws in Latvia for 2021 (Complete Guide)

This is a guide covering the drone laws in Latvia for 2021 (updated every year) where you'll get a clue about what you can or shouldn't do while flying a quadcopter anywhere in this country.

Can I fly a drone in the Latvia?

Drones are legal in Latvia and fall under the arm of the Latvian Civil Aviation Authority, LCAA. Drones have increasingly grown in popularity prompting the Latvian Civil Aviation Authority to draft new laws back in 2016 aimed at streamlining the growth of this new form of air traffic. As more drones and RC aircraft rise, so does the recordings of accidents.

Contact information

You can reach out to Latvian authorities at:

Email: latcaa@latcaa.gov.lv

Phone: (+371)67830936

Can I travel to Latvia with my drone?

Yes. Just ensure you abide by the rules laid out by the airline.

What are the Drone Laws in Latvia?

This is a straightforward list covering all the updated rules for Latvia in 2020. The drone registration process is quite simple, but you pretty much need to register every drone you fly.

For recreational purposes, the law requires all operators to pass a knowledge and safety test that is based on consolidated information gathered from manufacturers and stakeholders. The scope of this exam covers questions on:

aeronautical safety; and
FAA regulations and requirements on the operation of unmanned aircrafy system (UAS) in the national airspace system.

You should follow the guidelines on recreational flying, not doing so could cause you criminal and civil penalties.

Height limit of 120m
Keep to a max height of 120 m above ground during the day
Line of sight
maintain a 500 m distance within the line of sight.
No night flying
Do not fly at night unless your drone has lighting
No flying near airports
Stay 10 Km away from airports
Don't interfere with emergency situations
Keep off places that can interfere with police work or disaster relief.
Mark personal details on the drone
Your personal contact details must be marked on the drone and your presence should be visible as it’s pilot.
50 m from people
Keep a distance of 50 m from vehicle roads, railways, people and events drawing large crowds of people.
Fly sober
Never fly a drone when under the influence of alcohol
Insurance over 1.5kg
All drones weighing over 1.5 Kg need to be insured.

Other rules worth observing are:

Filming large events requires permission from the event organizer and emergency parachutes.
Drone pilots must always give precedence to manned aircraft and land their drones immediately.

What are my top drones to fly safely in Latvia?

My following recommendation is the best compact camera drone that is quite silent and also small enough to travel with and not stand out as annoying.

Dji Mini 2- The best international travel drone (under 250g)

31min

10km

No follow me

DJI has surprised us with this incredible camera drone under 250g, which is legal to fly in most countries without registration.
It comes at a very cheap price for it's incredible specs.

I have covered it much more in depth in my article review and even compared it with the Mavic Air 2.

Commercial and recreational drone use in Latvia

In Latvia, drones do not have to be registered if they fall under 1.5 Kg. The same weight class determines whether you must have drone insurance. Drones weighing over 500 g can be flown over 50 m and require the user to be over 18 years old. For all other drone uses, have the drone registered and stick to strict flight codes of conduct.

Are there restricted areas for flying drones in Latvia?

Flying anywhere around 500 m from a military installation, prison or warship is forbidden and can attract a penalty or fine.
Flying over national parks or forests requires permission from the respective authorities overseeing them. As you register your drone this will be one of the conditions laid out.
You cannot fly close to the meteorological and hydrological stations and other monitoring posts.

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