Germany to change drone clearance rules around major airports in 2026
Germany will introduce new drone procedures in airport control zones on Aug. 6, 2026.
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung will apply the rules to UAS flights in the control zones of 16 airports. The affected network includes major airports such as Berlin Brandenburg, Frankfurt Main, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne Bonn, Stuttgart, Hannover, Leipzig Halle, Nürnberg and others.
Under German aviation rules, drone flights in controlled airspace require an air traffic control clearance. That includes flights inside airport control zones, where some operations may qualify for a general clearance while others must obtain an individual clearance before flying.
The new system divides each DFS control zone into an inner area and an outer area. It creates four operating zones, with Zone 1 covering the airport area, land within 1 km of the airport boundary, and runway extension areas stretching 5 km beyond each runway end over a width of 1 km on either side of the runway centreline.
Zone 1 will remain the most restrictive area. Any UAS flight there will require an individual ATC clearance, regardless of planned height, and applications must be filed online through the DFS portal at https://ais.dfs.de; DFS says requests usually need a 14-day processing lead time.
The outer area covers Zones 2 to 4. In those zones, a general ATC clearance will be granted automatically under the new DFS general administrative order NfL 2026-1-3960, provided the operator meets all stated requirements and conditions.
Zone 2 covers the area within a 4 km radius of the aerodrome reference point, excluding Zone 1. Zone 3 covers the area within a 6 km radius, excluding Zones 1 and 2, while Zone 4 covers the rest of the control zone outside the first three zones.
Cleared heights will vary by zone. Zone 2 is generally limited to 25 m above aerodrome elevation or above ground level, whichever is lower; Zone 3 is limited to 45 m on the same basis; Zone 4 allows 100 m above aerodrome elevation or 50 m above ground level, whichever is greater, and allows 100 m above ground level where the take-off point is below aerodrome elevation.
The change gives drone operators a more defined approval framework near major airports while keeping individual review for the most sensitive areas. Its practical effect is clear: operators will need to map their flight location, clearance category and permitted altitude before launch.