Drones

DRONES

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) – DRONES

Flying drones in the Faroe Islands can be a stunning yet sensitive activity. This small and remote archipelago is home to approximately 54,000 people spread across 18 islands. Privacy and safety must therefore be the highest priorities, especially when flying drones near wildlife and villages.

Before your visit, we kindly ask that you familiarize yourself with the conditions under which drone flying is permitted.

NB! Please note that new drone regulations, similar to those of the EU, are currently going through the Faroese legislative process. As soon as an English version of the new Faroese Drone Rules becomes available, a short summary will be published on our website.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Faroese Police. For a detailed version of the new rules in Danish, please consult the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen).

Below are the current rules, which will be updated soon.

DRONES

Permission to fly drones in the Faroe Islands is granted only if ALL of the following conditions are met:

  • Drones MUST NOT be flown within 150 metres of any residential area, village, town, or city.

  • Drones MUST NOT cross or be flown within 150 metres of any public road.

  • Drones MUST NOT be flown within a 5-kilometre radius of Vágar Airport.

  • Drones MUST NOT be flown above summerhouses, camping areas, or in locations where many people are gathered, such as festivals or popular natural sites.

  • Drones MUST NOT be flown above 100 metres from the ground.

These rules apply to all drones, regardless of the purpose of the flight or the size of the drone.

The Faroe Islands are not members of the European Union, and therefore EU-approved drone licenses are not valid in the Faroe Islands.

The rules governing drone operations in the Faroe Islands (BL 9-4) are established by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen).

There are no exceptions to the above rules, except for registered Faroese drone operators who have obtained the required approval from Trafikstyrelsen. Such exceptions are not available to other operators.

A list of approved Faroese drone operators will be made available on this website soon. In the meantime, assistance in locating an approved operator can be obtained by contacting the Faroese Police.

Illegal operation of drones in the Faroe Islands may result in a fine of DKK 5,000.

Warning signs similar to the one shown above are displayed at various locations across the islands. Drone pilots are required to follow all rules regardless of whether signage is present and must always act responsibly, respecting:

  • Local residents and farmers’ privacy

  • Birdlife and wildlife

  • The natural environment

Due to the unpredictable Faroese weather, drone operators are strongly advised to use sturdy equipment and to check weather forecasts carefully before flying.

Aviation rules and regulations in the Faroe Islands are overseen by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen).

For more information on drone use in the Faroe Islands, please visit the Trafikstyrelsen website or download the Regulations on Unmanned Aircraft (English version).

Source: Faroe Islands Police