Drones Switzerland - What you need to know about them

If you hear a buzzing sound approaching in the distance, it is quite likely a remote-controlled drone with a camera these days.

Permits and Rules for Flying Drones in Switzerland

Legislation has put certain limits on the unrestricted use of drones due to concerns about noise pollution, privacy issues, and potential dangers to air traffic.

No Permit Required

• For a total drone weight of up to 30 kg
• Up to a flight altitude of 120 m
• If you respect the privacy of others (regulated in the data protection regulation under the section Video Surveillance with Drones by Private Individuals)
• If you maintain direct visual contact with your drone at all times. An exception is made for the so-called FPV mode (First Person View), where the pilot wears goggles that give them the feeling of being directly in the drone's cockpit, and an observer next to them maintains direct visual contact with the drone
• If you do not endanger people or animals
• If you do not fly over a restricted nature reserve

Permit Required

• For a total drone weight of 30 kg or more
• For a flight altitude of 120 m or more
• If you want to take off within 5 km of a civil or military airfield or helipad.
• In the immediate vicinity of ongoing emergency service operations
• If you want to fly your drone in Switzerland without direct visual contact, as this could endanger other aircraft. The previously mentioned FPV mode is an exception

The permit is issued by the relevant aviation safety authority or airfield operator in a region for flying drones.

New Drone Laws in Switzerland

The new regulations regarding drone flying in Switzerland include:

• The reduction of the maximum flight altitude from previously 150 m to 120 m
• The introduction of a minimum age of 12 for the sole use of a drone. Drone pilots younger than 12 must be accompanied by a supervisor who is at least 16 years old.
• Additionally, there is now a lower weight limit of 250 g, instead of the current 500 g
• Drones may no longer be flown over crowds, including those weighing less than 250 g.
• Pilots of drones with built-in cameras or over 250 g take-off weight must also register with the Federal Aviation Office. They will receive an eID (electronic pilot ID) that must be affixed to the drone.

Although the new EU regulation also includes online training with an examination for drone pilots, this is not yet proposed for flying drones in Switzerland. However, if the Swiss government aims to adopt EU regulations as before, a training regulation will be unavoidable.

Possible penalties and fines when flying drones

If you misuse drones, you can expect heavy fines. In addition, any owner of aircraft, be it hot air balloons, model airplanes or drones, can be held liable for any damage they may cause.

Even if someone causes damage with your drone without your knowledge, you can be partially prosecuted for it. Unless you can prove that you kept the drone safe. According to the Federal Law on Aviation, non-compliance with the above regulations can result in fines of up to CHF 20,000 (link to the law)

The actual amount of the fine depends on the severity of the offense and is decided on an individual basis. Lawyers are increasingly dealing with the annually increasing cases of violations of ordinances on drone flying in Switzerland

Examples of sanctions:

• If you do not keep the minimum distance of 100 m to a crowd and/or fly your drone over a crowd in Switzerland, you have to expect a fine of about 300 CHF.
• If you exceed the permitted flight altitude of 120 m with your drone, you may face a fine of 150 CHF.
• If you let your drone fly within 5 km of an airport or heliport in Switzerland, you will face a fine of approximately 150 CHF.
• If you fly without visual contact to your drone, you can be charged about 150 CHF.
• If you do not have liability insurance for your drone in Switzerland, you will not be fined.

Swiss Activities Tips for Drone Flying in Switzerland

The Swiss civil air traffic control Skyguide allows you via Skymap to accurately retrieve the regulations for the particular area in which you want to launch

Under the link Mappe Luftkarte Drohne Skyguide you will find a map or aerial chart that allows you to select the exact region where you want to fly your drone in Switzerland.

Clicking on the marked areas will show you if you need a permit and if so, which one. Or whether air traffic by drones is prohibited at all in the respective area. In addition, you can also register your aircraft quickly and easily via Skyguide.