Flying with special drones

No registration requirement, but clear labeling is necessary.

• Registration: Not required for toy drones.

Definition: A drone is considered a toy if it:

• Is designed or intended for children under 14 years old,
• Meets the requirements of the EU Directive 2009/48/EC (Toy Safety).

Packaging note: The manufacturer must indicate whether it is a toy (e.g. "Not suitable for children under 14 years").

Nevertheless, responsible flying is mandatory even with toy drones – e.g. not over crowds or in prohibited zones.

Yes, under certain conditions.

• Definition: A homemade drone is a drone built individually for personal use (not from a commercial kit).
• Not allowed as "homemade": ready-made kits from manufacturers (these are considered mass-produced products).

Responsibility: The pilot must ensure that:

• The drone is built safely
• There is no safety risk to others

Open category – allowed in two cases:

• A1 Weight < 250 g and max. 19 m/s speed
• A3 Weight < 25 kg and only at a safe distance from people

Note: If any of these conditions is not met, authorization is required (classification in "specific category").

Criteria

• Purpose: Sport, leisure, training, demonstration – Often also commercial use (e.g. film, inspection)
• Visual line of sight: Always operated within direct line of sight (VLOS) – Can also be automated or operated beyond visual line of sight
• Control: Focus on manual control & flight skill – Often focus on technology & autonomy (e.g. GPS, return-to-home)

Model flying emphasizes the pilot's skill and uses autonomy only for stability or emergency situations.