Searching for a lost pet with a drone in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands drones may only fly in daylight, from 15 minutes before sunrise to 15 minutes after sunset, and many areas near roads, railways and airports are closed to the open category.
| Aviation authority | Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT) |
|---|---|
| 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. With the RDW: €23, through DigiD or at an RDW counter. Register. |
| Test or certificate | EU A1/A3 flying licence above 250 g, taken at government-designated exam institutions; valid 5 years. |
| Maximum height | 120 m; 30 m at most in low-flying routes and areas. |
| Line of sight | Always in sight with your own eyes. An observer standing next to you may help. |
| Night flights | Not allowed: only from 15 minutes before sunrise to 15 minutes after sunset. |
| Remote ID | Required on class C1, C2 and C3 drones; not on C0 drones or drones without a class mark. |
| No-fly zones | GoDrone (LVNL) |
| Controlled airspace | Around airports (CTR) the open category is mostly not allowed; the rules around Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Groningen, Maastricht and Lelystad change on 26 November 2026. |
What matters for a search in the Netherlands
- No open-category flights over roads of 80 km/h or more, railways, events, government and military sites, hospital helipads or emergency scenes.
- Some Natura 2000 areas are closed to drones; the province or the area manager decides.
- Insurance is mandatory only from 20 kg, but check that your liability cover includes drones.
Before every search flight
- Check the no-fly zones for the exact area in GoDrone (LVNL).
- 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
- english.ilent.nl/topics/aviation/drones-and-model-aircraft/drones-eu-residents
- www.ilent.nl/onderwerpen/luchtvaart/drones-en-modelvliegtuigen/regels-voor-drones/open-dronecategorie
- www.rdw.nl/drone/exploitantnummer-aanvragen
- www.veiligdronevliegen.nl/voordat-je-gaat-vliegen/waar-kan-ik-vliegen
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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