Maximum drone altitude in European Union / EASA

What the rules say

Each line is resolved from published facts of European Union / EASA. "Not resolved" means the corpus does not answer it in a machine-checkable way — never that the law is silent.

• General height limit120 mConditional
• Reference datumabove_nearest_obstacleYes
• Category-specific limitsConditional
• Aerodrome-related limitConditional
• Structure exceptionConditional
• Authorised exceedanceConditional
• Conditional limitsConditional
• ExceptionsConditional

What changes the answer

The published rules distinguish the open category of operation.

• altitude

  Flight altitude at or below 120 m

• altitude

  Flight altitude below 120 m

• altitude

  Flight altitude at or below 15 m

• altitude

  Obstacle height above 105 m

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational rule

  Article 4 - section overview

  This section establishes the classification requirements for UAS operations in the 'open' category, defining limits on aircraft class, maximum take-off mass, operational distance from people, visual line of sight, maximum altitude, and cargo restrictions, as well as dividing the category into three sub-categories.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Class C0 Maximum Attainable Height Limit

  A class C0 UAS must have its maximum attainable height above the take-off point limited to 120 m.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Compliance with Open Category Operational Limitations

  UAS operations in the 'open' category must comply with the operational limitations set out in Part A of the Annex.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Criteria for Determining Unmitigated Ground and Air Risks

  The risk identification must determine the unmitigated ground risk and unmitigated air risk based on specified operational, environmental, and airspace criteria.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Direct Remote Identification

  A class C2 UAS must have a direct remote identification that allows the upload of the UAS operator registration number required in accordance with Article 14 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, performs a consistency check on that registration string, and broadcasts directly and periodically in real time throughout the flight — using an open and documented transmission protocol receivable by existing mobile devices within range — at least the UAS operator registration number and Member State verification code, the unique serial number of the UA, the time stamp, the geographical position of the UA and its height above the surface or take-off point, the route course and ground speed, the geographical position of the remote pilot or, if not available, the take-off point, and an indication of the emergency status of the UAS; the direct remote identification must also reduce the ability of tampering with its functionality.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Geo-Awareness Function

  A class C2 UAS must be equipped with a geo-awareness function that provides an interface to load and update data on airspace limitations related to UA position and height imposed by the UAS geographical zones defined by Article 15 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, without degrading the integrity and validity of that data; a warning alert to the remote pilot when a potential breach of airspace limitations is detected; and information to the remote pilot on the UA's status together with a warning alert when its positioning or navigation systems cannot ensure the proper functioning of the geo-awareness function.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Height Exception for Unmanned Sailplanes

  Unmanned sailplanes with an MTOM of less than 10 kg may be flown at a distance in excess of 120 metres from the closest point of the surface of the earth, provided they do not exceed 120 metres above the remote pilot at any time.

  Open the requirementOfficial source

Official sources

• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 — European Union Aviation Safety AgencyOpen

Other drone rules in European Union / EASA

• Do I need to register my drone in European Union / EASA?Registration in European Union / EASA is governed by a published mass threshold of 0.25 kg, alongside the further conditions cited below. Whether it applies to a given flight depends on those conditions, each cited to its rule.
• Do I need Remote ID in European Union / EASA?Remote identification in European Union / EASA is framed by a published mass threshold of 25 kg, together with the aircraft and operation conditions cited below. Whether a given flight must carry or broadcast an electronic identity depends on those conditions.
• Can I fly a drone near an airport in European Union / EASA?Drone flights near aerodromes in European Union / EASA are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.
• When does a drone operation need authorisation in European Union / EASA?Whether an operation in European Union / EASA needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.
• What training do I need to fly a drone in European Union / EASA?Remote pilot competency in European Union / EASA scales with the operation: which training, examination or proof of competency applies is set by the published conditions below.
• Do I need drone insurance in European Union / EASA?Drone insurance in European Union / EASA is published with a minimum third-party cover of 20 kg. Whether cover is required for a given flight depends on the published conditions below.

All drone laws in European Union / EASA