Drones - officially known as "unmanned aerial vehicles" or UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) - are divided into three categories:

• Open
• Special
• Subject to authorization

This classification depends on how risky the flight can be for other people.

If you operate your drone in the "open" category, the risk is the lowest.

This means you do not need a permit, but you must comply with certain rules and safety requirements - for example, a drone driver's license or certain flight bans.

Operation in the "special" category

If you are unable to comply with the conditions of the "open" operating category, your drone flight will fall into a category that requires a permit.

This means that you need a permit before you can take off. This applies to the "special" and "subject to authorization" categories. Permits for the "subject to approval" category are not yet possible, as the corresponding UAS and the legal requirements for operation are still under development.

You can assess which category your drone flight falls into with the help of your own risk assessment.

You can find an illustrative flow chart on the website of the German Federal Office of Civil Aviation to help you with the classification. For example, if your aircraft has a take-off mass of over 25 kilograms or is intended to drop objects, you will need an operating permit.