From the soaring peaks and mesmerising archipelago of the Lofoten Islands to the pristine waters of the Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord, Norway’s natural beauty offers countless opportunities for photographers and content creators to capture breathtaking scenes.

READ MORE: Five fantastic destinations in Norway you should visit in 2024

With such incredible scenery and history, it’s no wonder that Norway has established itself as a top spot for international drone operators on the chase for unique shots.

However, flying drones in the country comes with some pretty strict rules.

The general rules

In Norway, you are generally permitted to fly drones in the open – for both recreational and commercial use – as long as you are registered as a drone operator, the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (Luftfartstilsynet) writes on its website.

This applies to citizens of European Union (EU) countries, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, who are registered as drone operators in their home country.

For citizens of countries outside the EU and EEA, similar rules apply – they need to be registered as a drone operator in an EU country or Norway, and this registration should be completed in the first country where they plan to operate a drone.

However, there is a complete ban on all drone flights by Russian citizens, a regulation that has been in place since 2022.

There are several restricted areas you will need to be aware of. You will need to be five kilometres away from all airports. Flying in restricted areas without a permit, such as areas with air traffic, above city and town centres, military firing ranges, and places where there’s been an accident is prohibited.

Nature conservation areas also have their own rules for drone flight, and flying over prisons, embassies, and military areas/vessels without permission is prohibited. You also can’t fly near emergency services.

You will also not be allowed to film in areas where people seek peace or film people on their private property.

Furthermore, in order to publish the images, you will need the consent of the people featured.

READ MORE: Why Norway is asking the public to be vigilant about drones

Specific regulations and requirements

Some additional specific rules also apply.

As an EU citizen, you are required to obtain a valid European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certificate, and your drone must be marked with your operator number (or you can use a QR code containing this number).

Furthermore, you must have valid liability insurance and follow the so-called open category rules, which include specific altitude limits and distance requirements from people and property.

If your drone has sensors such as cameras, you must register their use with the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM).

Like EU citizens, non-EU nationals are also required to obtain a valid EASA certificate, their drone must be marked with their operator number, and they must have valid insurance.

What happens if you break the rules? 

Police can confiscate your drone and issue a heavy fine of up to 12,000 kroner. The fine could also result in you being expelled from the Schengen Area for a period if the person has no connection to Norway or the area. 

Oslo: Particularly strict drone rules

In Oslo, the regulations for drone flying are stringent due to the dense urban environment and security concerns.

There is a sizeable no-fly zone over most of the city, and flying a drone within this zone is strictly prohibited without a special license from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Notable areas such as the Vigeland Park, Ekeberg Sculpture Park, Bygdøy, and the fjord islands are just outside this no-fly zone, making them accessible for drone operations, as VisitOslo, the capital’s official tourist board owned by Oslo Municipality, points out.

However, popular spots like the Opera House, Tjuvholmen, Akershus Fortress, St. Hanshaugen, and Grünerløkka are located within the restricted area.

You can find a map of the no-fly zone here. 

In areas where drone flying is permitted, drones cannot weigh more than 2.5 kilos, and flights are restricted to a maximum altitude of 120 metres.

Operators must maintain a distance of at least 50 metres from people, buildings and vehicles.

If flying near a crowd of more than 100 people, the drone must stay at least 150 metres away.

Drones can only be operated during daylight hours, and the maximum speed allowed is 30 metres per second. The drone must also be marked with the operator’s name and phone number.

For professional or commercial drone use, operators must apply for permission from the Luftfartstilsynet and ensure they have documented insurance, typically costing around 1,000 kroner.

The application process is generally efficient, with decisions often made within a couple of weeks.

You can find the application form, details on the procedure, and information on the regulation governing the no-fly area in central Oslo here.

The rules described in this article were up-to-date as of the time of writing. For the latest version of the regulations, consult the webpage of the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.