DRONE RULES IN THE FAROE ISLANDS
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The Faroe Islands are a spectacular place to fly a drone, but also a fragile one. For those of us who live here, taking care of the islands is part of everyday life — and when you visit, you become part of that too.
Our islands are small, windy and home to vulnerable nature, rich wildlife, villages, private homes, sheep, birds and helicopter traffic — often close to one another. When using drones on the islands, please fly responsibly, respect privacy, keep your distance, and never fly where your drone may disturb people, nature, wildlife or local life.
This page gives you a simple overview of the most important drone rules. It is not a full legal document. Drone pilots are responsible for checking the latest official rules and the official drone map before flying.
BEFORE YOU FLY
All drone pilots must:
QUICK SUMMARY
- check the official drone map before flying
- keep the drone below 120 metres above ground
- keep the drone within visual line of sight
- respect people’s privacy
- avoid disturbing birds, sheep, wildlife, and local communities
- do not fly over homes, enclosed private property or crowds without permission where required
- stay away from restricted areas, airports, helicopter landing sites, protected nature, roads, emergency operations, fisheries inspections, and whale hunts
- follow the Faroese drone rules, even if the drone weighs less than 250 g
Drone flying in the Faroe Islands follows European drone regulations together with the Faroese order on drones. This means that many rules are similar to those in the EU, but specific Faroese distance requirements also apply. The official drone authority states that these Faroese distance rules must be followed regardless of whether the flight is in the open or specific category. (en.droneregler.dk)
Drones under 250 gram usually do not require a drone certificate, but the rules still apply.
Drones 250 gram and above usually require operator registration and the correct drone certificate.
For detailed rules, always check the official guidance from the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority and the official drone-zone map. (en.droneregler.dk)
MOST IMPORTANT RULES
These rules apply to all drones, including drones under 250 g.
CHECK THE DRONE MAP
Before every flight, check the official drone-zone map for the Faroe Islands. The map shows drone zones and restricted areas, but it may not show every place where drone flying is prohibited or unsuitable. You are still responsible for knowing and following the rules. (dronezoner.eu and en.droneregler.dk)
MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 120 METRES
In the open category, the maximum flying height is 120 metres above ground level. The height is measured from the terrain directly below the drone. (en.droneregler.dk)
KEEP THE DRONE IN SIGHT
You must always keep your drone within visual line of sight. Do not rely only on the screen or camera view. (en.droneregler.dk)
DO NOT FLY OVER CROWDS
Do not fly over assemblies of people, crowds, festivals, events, or groups of people gathered in one place, unless special permit. Even small drones under 250 g must not fly over assemblies of people. (en.droneregler.dk)
RESPECT PRIVATE HOMES AND PROPERTY
Do not fly over residential buildings or enclosed private property without the owner’s permission.
If a property is enclosed by a fence, hedge, wall, or similar boundary, you must get permission before flying over it. You must also not fly within 5 metres of residential buildings without permission. (en.droneregler.dk)
Please also respect privacy. Do not film into homes, gardens, windows, farms, or private areas. Do not fly over crowds, events, festivals or other assemblies of people without the needed extra permissions.
NATURE, BIRDS AND ANIMALS
The Faroe Islands have vulnerable nature, nesting birds, sheep, livestock and sensitive wildlife.
Do not fly close to birds, bird cliffs, sheep, horses or other animals. Special rules apply in protected nature areas and Ramsar areas, especially during the bird breeding season. Check the official rules before flying in or near protected nature.
ROADS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Do not fly in a way that can distract drivers or create danger near roads, tunnels, harbours, power lines, public infrastructure or emergency services.
Do not fly over rescue operations, police operations, accidents, fisheries inspections or whale hunts.
Keep at least 150 metres from fisheries inspections. Whale hunting zones must not be overflown. If a whale hunt or fisheries inspection begins nearby, stop flying immediately. (en.droneregler.dk)
SENSITIVE NATURAL AREAS AND SPECIAL SITUATIONS
The Faroe Islands have sensitive natural areas, including Ramsar sites and important bird areas. Special rules apply in these areas, especially during the bird breeding season.
From 15 April to 30 August, drone flying in environmental protected areas is only permitted for authorised operations carried out on behalf of authorities or property owners. From 1 September to 14 April, pilots with an A2 certificate may fly in these areas, provided all other rules are followed.
Do not fly over whale hunts, fisheries inspections, rescue operations, police operations, accidents or other emergency situations. Keep at least 150 metres from fisheries inspections.
Whale hunting zones must not be overflown. If a whale hunt or fisheries inspection begins nearby, stop flying immediately.
AIRPORTS AND HELIPADS
All drones must stay away from airports and helicopter landing sites
There are strict restrictions around Vágar Airport and helicopter landing sites.
As a general rule, drone pilots without the required competencies and permissions must keep at least:
- 5 km from Vágar Airport
- 2 km from helicopter landing sites
DRONES UNDER 250 GRAMS
Drones under 250 g do not normally require a drone certificate, but all drone rules still apply. (en.droneregler.dk)
This means that even small drones must:
- stay below 120 metres
- remain within visual line of sight
- check the drone map
- respect homes, people and privacy
- avoid restricted areas
- avoid disturbing birds, animals and local communities
If your drone under 250 g has a camera or sensor, you may still need to register as a drone operator. Check the official drone guide before flying.
DRONES 250 GRAMS AND ABOVE
Drones weighing 250 g or more usually have stricter requirements.
You will normally need:
- operator registration
- the correct drone certificate
- valid insurance where required
- to follow the open-category rules for your drone and operation
European drone certificates are valid in the Faroe Islands. Drone certificates cannot currently be obtained in the Faroe Islands, but they can be obtained in Denmark or other EASA countries. (en.droneregler.dk)
Thank you for respecting local nature and communities.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Drone pilots must have valid liability insurance where required. In the Faroe Islands, drones must generally be insured for at least 0.75 million SDR, approximately DKK 7 million.
There are exemptions for some small drones. According to the official guidance, toy drones with a C0 mark and drones under 250 g without a C0 mark are not required to have insurance. If you are unsure whether your drone is exempt, check the official rules before flying.
Even when insurance is not legally required, drone pilots are still responsible for any damage or injury caused by their drone.
WHEN TO CHECK FOR MORE DETAILED RULES
Always check the official rules if:
- your drone weighs 250 g or more
- you are flying near people, homes, villages, roads or infrastructure
- you want to fly near Vágar Airport or helicopter landing sites
- you want to fly in or near protected nature
- you are flying commercially or professionally
- you are unsure which certificate, registration or insurance rules apply
- you need permission or dispensation
Official information
For detailed and legally binding information, please use the official sources:
Official drone rules:
https://www.en.droneregler.dk/drone-flying-abroad/drone-flying-on-the-faroe-islands
Official drone-zone map:
https://dronezoner.eu/Dronusonur.html
Vágar Airport drone information:
https://www.fae.fo/en/about-vagar-airport/information/drone-flying-information
Faroese Police
Important note
This page is a simplified guide for visitors. It does not replace the official drone rules, the official drone-zone map or legal requirements. Drone pilots are always responsible for checking the latest rules before flying.
