All Drone Laws in Switzerland for 2023 (Complete Guide)

 Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Switzerland.

• You must not pose any risk to people and animals during the drone operation 
• You must comply with the law at all times.
• The pilot must be competent to use and have complete control of the drone
• You must respect others' privacy. You must take permission before filming anybody’s personal property.
• Drones cannot be used for hunting.
• You must seek permission from local authorities before filming around any area.
• Avoid oncoming aircraft
• You must have third-party insurance coverage of 1 million (Swiss francs) when flying a drone over 500g.
• You must obtain a permit from FOCA if you want to use binoculars on any such visual aid to improve your sight.
• As far as the pilot has direct eye contact with the drone, there is no need for a permit.
• Do not fly close to a disaster or emergency area. For instance, taking aerial footage where an accident has occurred can impede a helicopter rescue operation.
• Do not fly over people congregated. Flying over large crowds (over 100 people) needs FOCA authorization.
• You can use FPV provided the drone remains within line of sight.
• Any aircraft weighing over 30 Kg needs FOCA authorization. 
• You must obtain a permit to fly anywhere within 5 Km of airports or helipads
• You must obtain a permit to fly over 150 meters above the surface.

How can I register as a drone operator in Switzerland?

According to EASA, you must get registered as a drone operator to fly a drone in Switzerland.

The registration procedure will begin once the EASA is implemented and identified by FOCA.

This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year therefore, it must be renewed every year through the same procedure. The operator registration number remains the same this way forever, except that the operator is being deregistered from the registered for any reason.

As per the current scenario, until the EASA implements its rules, the following are the requirements to register yourself as a drone pilot or drone operator in Switzerland:

1. You need to take a safety test on which basis FOCA will exempt your drone from registration.
2. You need to provide the description of your intended operation and the details of the drone that is going to be used for that.
3. You need to provide risk assessments and measures that will be taken to handle any emergencies.
4. The assessment of the current reliability of your equipment and a contingency plan in case of any incident must be mentioned.
5. A copy of the insurance policy.

Subject to the nature and scope of your intended operation, your drone’s certification will cost between 50 and 5,000 Swiss Francs. The registration procedure might take at least three months for you to get your permit, so it is advised to keep the timeline in mind while planning your trip and booking the entries.

Current drone Laws for Recreational drone operations:

In Switzerland hobbyist/ recreational drones are allowed to be flown by following these set of rules:

1. No special permits are required to fly drones for recreational purposes.
2. The drone must not be flown at a height of more than 150m. If you want to fly your drone higher than that you must obtain a special permit for that.
3. The drone must be in the visual line of sight at all times.
4. The drone’s maximum take-off weight must not exceed 30 kg without a special permit. If you want to fly a heavier drone, you need proper authorization before that.
5. The pilot does not need any competence certificate or license to operate the drone for recreational purposes.
6. There are no labeling requirements
7. You must have your drone insured. The minimum coverage limit is 1,000,000 Swiss francs.

Current drone Laws for Commercial drone operations:

In Switzerland commercial drones are allowed to be flown by following these set of rules:

1. No special permit is allowed except for the ones mentioned above in general rules
2. The drone must not be flown at a height of more than 150m. If you want to fly your drone higher than that you must obtain a special permit for that.
3. The drone must be in the visual line of sight at all times.
4. The drone’s maximum take-off weight must not exceed 30 kg without a special permit. If you want to fly a heavier drone, you need proper authorization before that.
5. You can only fly in the daytime.
6. There are no labeling requirements
7. You must have your drone insured. The minimum coverage limit is 1,000,000 Swiss francs.