Remote pilot competency in Germany

What the rules say

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

• Competency requiredConditional
• Training requiredConditional
• Examination requiredConditional
• Proof of competency issuedConditional
• Operation-specific qualificationConditional
• Validity periodConditional
• Renewal or recurrent trainingConditional
• Minimum age16 yearsConditional
• Weight-based trigger0.25 kgConditional

What changes the answer

The published rules distinguish the a1, a2, a3 and open categories of operation.

• altitude

  Flight altitude above 100 m

• altitude

  Flight altitude at or above 100 m

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational rule

  Admission Requirements for the A2 Remote Pilot Exam

  To be admitted to the exam for the A2 remote pilot certificate, candidates must present a valid identification document, and minors must additionally present the consent of their legal representative.

  Open the requirement
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application Requirements for Air Sports Association Authorization

  An application for an air sports association authorization must include operational procedures, compliance assurance, a commitment to make procedures available to members, and details on training measures.

  Open the requirement
• Binding lawNational rule

  Authorization of Nationwide Air Sports Associations

  The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure or a designated federal authority may grant nationwide air sports associations an authorization under Article 16(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

  Open the requirement
• Binding lawNational rule

  Automated Issuance of A1/A3 Certificates and Pilot Rights

  The LBA may issue, renew, or amend A1/A3 proof of competency certificates and associated fee notices fully automatically, provided the remote pilot's right to present their views and request a decision by a human official is respected.

  Open the requirement
• Binding lawNational rule

  Carrying Training Certificate for Model Aircraft Over 2 kg

  Remote pilots of model aircraft exceeding 2 kg must carry their association training certificate, which is valid for five years, during flight operations.

  Open the requirement
• Binding lawNational rule

  Designation of Exam Bodies by the LBA

  The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt may, upon application, designate bodies to conduct examinations and issue certificates and credentials pursuant to § 21a and § 21b.

  Open the requirement
• Binding lawNational rule

  Knowledge and Training Requirements for Model Aircraft Over 2 kg

  Remote pilots of model aircraft with a take-off mass exceeding 2 kg must possess specific aviation knowledge and complete an association training course before operating.

  Open the requirement
• Binding lawNational rule

  LuftVG § 33 - section overview

  This section establishes the strict liability (Gefährdungshaftung) of an aircraft operator (Halter) for personal injury, death, or property damage resulting from an accident during operation, and defines liability rules for unauthorized use, flight training, and authorized users.

  Open the requirement

Official sources

• Luftverkehrs-Ordnung (LuftVO) — Landesluftfahrtbehoerden
• Luftverkehrsgesetz (LuftVG) — Landesluftfahrtbehoerden

Other drone rules in Germany

• Do I need to register my drone in Germany?Registration in Germany 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.
• What is the maximum drone altitude in Germany?Drone flights in Germany are held to a published general height limit of 120 m above_nearest_obstacle. The limit is not absolute: the published conditions that change it are cited below.
• Can I fly a drone near an airport in Germany?Drone flights near aerodromes in Germany are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.
• Can I fly a drone over people in Germany?Flight over uninvolved people is treated as a higher-risk operation in Germany: it is available only where the published conditions below — class, mass, separation or authorisation — are satisfied.
• When does a drone operation need authorisation in Germany?Whether an operation in Germany needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.
• Do I need drone insurance in Germany?Drone insurance in Germany is published with a minimum third-party cover of 0.75 million SDR. Whether cover is required for a given flight depends on the published conditions below.

All drone laws in Germany