Searching for a lost pet with a drone in Germany
German aviation law makes no distinction between private and commercial flights. Every drone needs liability insurance, and looking over homes and gardens with a camera drone needs the occupant's consent.
| Aviation authority | Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) |
|---|---|
| Registration | Register as an operator if the drone weighs 250 g or more, or less if it has a camera (unless it is a toy). One number for all your drones, shown on each one and valid in every EASA country. €20 for individuals; you need your insurer and policy number to register. Register. |
| Test or certificate | EU A1/A3 online exam through the LBA, €25, from 250 g. |
| Maximum height | 120 m (400 ft) above the ground. |
| Line of sight | Always in sight with your own eyes. An observer standing next to you may help. |
| Night flights | Allowed without special permission, with the green flashing light and still in sight. |
| Remote ID | Required on class C1, C2 and C3 drones; not on C0 drones or drones without a class mark. |
| No-fly zones | dipul map tool (DFS) |
| Controlled airspace | Control zones need air traffic control clearance, requested through dipul. Other geographic zones need the consent of the site operator or the competent authority. |
What matters for a search in Germany
- Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for every drone.
- Over homes and gardens you need the owner's or occupant's consent, unless the drone weighs 250 g or less and has no camera.
- Nature reserves, national parks and Natura 2000 sites need explicit consent from the nature authority.
- Outdoor pools, beaches, hospitals, federal roads, waterways and railways are geographic zones too.
Before every search flight
- Check the no-fly zones for the exact area in dipul map tool (DFS).
- Ask the landowner if you take off from private land.
- Keep the drone in sight and below the height limit, away from people, roads and buildings.
- Let the owner of the animal know you are flying, and where.
Official sources
- www.lba.de/DE/Drohnen/FAQ/Uebersicht_FAQ_node.html
- www.lba.de/DE/Drohnen/UAS_Betreiberregistrierung/UAS_Betreiberregistrierung_node.html
- www.bmv.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/LF/drohnen-einstieg.html
- dipul.de/homepage/en/information/geographical-zones/legal-basis
A summary to help you prepare a search, not legal advice. The official sources have the final word.
Reviewed on October 22, 2026.
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