11 July 2026

Drone Laws in Sweden (2026): Licenses, Registration and No-Fly Zones

This article is a plain-language overview, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the current requirements with Transportstyrelsen (the Swedish Transport Agency) at transportstyrelsen.se before flying.

Sweden follows the common EU drone regulation, which sorts flying into three categories — open, specific and certified — based on risk. Almost all commercial photography and video work happens in the open category, which is what this guide covers.

Do I need to register my drone in Sweden?

If your drone weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera and is not classed as a toy, you must register as a drone operator with Transportstyrelsen and mark your drone with your operator ID. Registration is done online and renewed periodically.

What license or certificate do pilots need?

For most flying, the entry requirement is the A1/A3 certificate — an online theory course and exam. Flying closer to uninvolved people with a mid-weight drone requires the additional A2 certificate. Anything beyond the open category's limits — heavier drones, flights over crowds, beyond visual line of sight — needs a specific-category authorisation from Transportstyrelsen.

What are the basic flight rules?

In the open category you must keep the drone within visual line of sight, stay at or below 120 metres above ground, never fly over crowds, and respect the privacy of people on the ground (Swedish camera-surveillance and data-protection rules apply to aerial filming too). Insurance is required for commercial operations.

Where can't you fly?

No-fly and restricted zones include the areas around airports and helipads, national parks (many prohibit drones entirely), prisons, military areas and temporary restriction zones during events. Swedish pilots check current airspace in the official drone map services before every flight — a professional will do this as part of planning your shoot.

What does this mean when hiring a pilot?

Practically: a legitimate pilot is registered, certified for the category they fly in, insured, and checks airspace before quoting your job. On DroneHire, pilots can upload their license for review — look for the Verified badge on drone filming profiles — but as our terms explain, you should always confirm credentials directly before hiring.