Country rules · the Netherlands
Drone rules in the Netherlands
The same basic rules apply across Europe, but each country fills in part of them itself. These are the rules for the open category in the Netherlands, with their sources.
Who does what
| Policy | Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management |
|---|---|
| Oversight | Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) |
| Registration and certificates | RDW |
| Exams | Examination bodies appointed by the ministry |
Registration: the operator number
If your drone weighs 250 grams or more, or has a camera or microphone, you register as an operator with the RDW. Drones approved as toys are exempt.
- Dutch residents apply online with DigiD (individuals) or eHerkenning (businesses). If you live in another EASA country, you register there instead. If you live outside the EASA countries and the Netherlands is the first EASA country you fly in, you register with the RDW via an e-mail form.
- It costs €23 and is valid for one year. Renewal costs €13 per year.
- You get one number for all your drones. You display the part before the hyphen on every drone; you keep the last three characters secret.
Pilot certificate and minimum age
Which certificate you need depends on your drone and where you fly: see the A1/A3 exam and the A2 exam. The minimum age to fly yourself is 16 in the Netherlands. Younger pilots may only fly under the direct supervision of someone aged 16 or over who holds the right certificate. Exceptions apply to C0 toy drones and privately built drones under 250 grams.
Height and line of sight
You fly no higher than 120 metres above the closest point of the ground, and lower in some zones. You always keep the drone within your own line of sight.
Flying at night: banned in the open category
This is where the Netherlands differs from the European syllabus. The EU allows flying in the dark if the drone shows a flashing green light. In the Netherlands flying in the dark is banned in the open category. If you want to do it anyway, that is only possible in the specific category with an exemption from the ILT.
Where Europe and the Netherlands differ, we show you both answers.
Where you may not fly
In the open category, flying is banned above or near, among other places:
- palaces and buildings of the Royal House, and the Wadden Sea (an absolute ban applies there);
- government buildings, military sites and prisons;
- events;
- roads with a speed limit of 80 km/h or more, and railways;
- airports and hospital helipads;
- Natura 2000 areas designated by the province;
- high-voltage lines, drinking-water areas, major seaports and sites with hazardous substances.
Check the current map before every flight. The Dutch government refers to the Aeret map viewer and the GoDrone map. According to trade press, GoDrone has not been updated since a bankruptcy in 2025, while around 225 new no-fly zones were added on 1 January 2026. When in doubt, use the Aeret map.
Insurance
For recreational flying in the open category there is no general insurance obligation in the Netherlands. Insurance is mandatory for drones of 20 kilograms or more. The RDW strongly recommends liability insurance.
Privacy
If you film or photograph people who can be recognised, you need their consent. This follows from the GDPR.
Taking the exam in another country?
The EU allows you to take training and the exam in any EASA country, and the certificate is valid in all EASA countries. According to the Dutch government, however, a knowledge test passed in another EU country can only lead to a certificate in that country.
Sources: rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/drone; rdw.nl/drones; ilent.nl; Regulation (EU) 2019/947. New no-fly zones and GoDrone: Dronewatch (trade press). Last checked: 16 September 2026. Rules change; the official sources always take precedence.