Searching for a lost pet with a drone in Sweden
Sweden follows the EU open category, but publishing aerial images can need a dissemination permit from Lantmäteriet. Keep search footage private unless it is exempt.
| Aviation authority | Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) |
|---|---|
| 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. Through the Drönarsidan e-service: SEK 190 plus SEK 250 a year; 18 or over and registered in Sweden. Register. |
| Test or certificate | EU A1/A3 drone card theory test above 250 g; the digital card lasts 5 years. |
| 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 with a green flashing light on the drone. |
| Remote ID | Required on class C1, C2 and C3 drones; not on C0 drones or drones without a class mark. |
| No-fly zones | Drönarkartan (LFV) |
| Controlled airspace | Control zones need air traffic clearance, except slow drones at least 5 km from runways flying below 50 m. Within 1 km of a heliport, ask the heliport first. |
What matters for a search in Sweden
- Sharing or publishing aerial photos or video of Swedish land can need a dissemination permit from Lantmäteriet; images of a single private home, a public place or farmland are exempt.
- Insurance is not required for drones under 20 kg flown for leisure.
Before every search flight
- Check the no-fly zones for the exact area in Drönarkartan (LFV).
- 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.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/luftfart/luftfartyg-och-luftvardighet/dronare
- www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/luftfart/luftfartyg-och-luftvardighet/dronare/registrering-av-operator
- www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv/luftfart/luftfartyg-och-luftvardighet/dronare/flyga-dronare-i-luftrummet
- www.lantmateriet.se/sv/spridningstillstand/undantag
A summary to help you prepare a search, not legal advice. The official sources have the final word.
Reviewed on October 22, 2026.
Share this page
WhatsApp · Facebook · X · Telegram · Reddit · Email ·
Ask an AI about it: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity · Google AI Mode