On January 1, 2024, new, legally binding provisions of the EU Drone Regulation will come into force. These changes were already set out in the EU Drone Regulation at the outset, but were actually due to come into force much earlier.
After several postponements and delays, the following now applies: from 2024, only certified drones with a specified drone class may be brought onto the market or "placed on the market" throughout the EU. This applies not only to manufacturers, but also to importers, dealers and online marketplaces. Every drone sold must therefore now have a clearly identifiable drone class (C0 - C2), which must fulfill the corresponding requirements and safety functions.
The most important change, however, is that existing drones are no longer "better off". For example, many drones without an explicit drone class (such as the DJI MINI, DJI MINI2, MINI 3 Pro, DJI AIR2S or the Phantom 4) could previously be flown in better drone categories with more freedom by completing the large drone pilot's license. This temporary improvement will now end on January 1, 2024.
Instead, all drones without a drone class (so-called existing drones) will be divided into one of two remaining groups:
All existing drones weighing less than 250 grams are combined in the OPEN A1 group. Hardly anything will change for this group. All drones in this group may continue to be flown (and now for an unlimited period of time) with the greatest freedom and fewest restrictions - including close to people or within residential areas.
However, drone insurance is still required and drone pilots must register with the German Federal Aviation Authority (LBA) and receive their pilot ID (UAS operator number). The pilot ID must be visibly affixed to the drone.
All existing drones weighing over 250 grams are now combined into a single large OPEN A3 group, which is subject to very restrictive measures: Not only are they generally allowed to be flown far away from people, but it must also always be ensured that no uninvolved people can appear in the flight area. In addition, a distance of at least 150 meters from residential areas, commercial areas and recreational areas applies.
Of course, drone insurance must also be taken out and a valid pilot ID from the LBA is required.
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