Why Amsterdam is almost entirely closed to drones
Around Dutch airports lies a CTR (Control Zone), roughly 15 kilometres in radius, managed by air traffic control. Schiphol's covers central Amsterdam, about a dozen kilometres from the runways, and most of the city's neighbourhoods. LVNL is clear: Open-category flights are not allowed there; they are reserved for the Specific and Certified categories.
Flying in the CTR means submitting a mission plan at least two days ahead, getting clearance from the tower and keeping radio contact throughout the flight. This framework does not cover leisure drones. If you are arriving by plane, our guide from Schiphol to central Amsterdam covers transport from the airport.
In 2024 the Dutch public prosecutor published the case of a pilot whose drone ended up on the roof of the Royal Palace, on Dam Square: a flight inside the CTR, over a gathering, without registration. The police seized the drone and the pilot paid €350.
What changes on 26 November 2026
In September 2026 the Ministry of Infrastructure announced a new layout for the CTRs of Schiphol, Rotterdam, Groningen, Maastricht and Lelystad. From 26 November 2026, the obligation to contact air traffic control lapses in certain parts of these zones, from about 5 kilometres from the airport; the areas concerned are to appear in GoDrone. The other prohibitions (heliports, ports, sensitive sites) do not change.
The European rules for the Open category
The Netherlands applies the European Union rules set by EASA. The Open category covers low-risk flights that need no ILT authorisation: stay below 120 metres, keep the drone in sight, drop nothing. In the Netherlands you may only fly from 15 minutes before sunrise to 15 minutes after sunset.
| Subcategory | Drones concerned | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Class C0 (under 250 g) or C1 (under 900 g) | Never over a gathering; avoid flying over people with a C1 |
| A2 | Class C2 (under 4 kg) | No flying over people, keep your distance, A2 certificate |
| A3 | Classes C3 and C4 (under 25 kg) | At least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas |
A drone without a class label, placed on the market before 1 January 2024, can still fly in A1 or A3 under conditions. C1, C2 and C3 drones must broadcast a remote identification signal (Remote ID).
Registration, certificate and age
- Operator registration: required from 250 g, or for a lighter drone fitted with a camera or microphone (toys are exempt). EU residents register in their own country; visitors from outside the EU register in the first European country where they fly, with the RDW if that is the Netherlands: €23, then €13 a year. The number is stuck on the drone.
- Pilot certificate: from 250 g, the A1/A3 certificate is obtained through an online theory exam, supplemented by the A2 certificate for the A2 subcategory. It is valid for five years throughout the EU; carry it with you while flying.
- Age: you can fly alone from 16; younger pilots must be supervised by someone aged 16 or over holding the required certificate.
- Insurance: compulsory only from 20 kg; the RDW advises checking that your liability insurance covers drones.
No-fly zones in the Netherlands
On top of the CTRs, the Open category is banned over government buildings, military sites, events and cordoned-off areas, roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more, railways, hospital helipads, high-voltage lines, drinking-water catchment areas, major ports, hazardous industrial sites and emergency-service operations. The port of Amsterdam (Westpoort) is closed to it. Some Natura 2000 areas are also off limits, within boundaries set by the province or the site manager. King's Day or a festival counts as an event: even outside the CTR, you do not fly over them.
Check the map before take-off
The official tool is GoDrone, LVNL's free app and website: its map shows where you can fly. According to the ILT, red zones are closed to the Open category, purple and blue ones mark restrictions that are sometimes temporary, and green ones are Natura 2000 areas. Do not rely on your drone's app alone: in the Royal Palace case, the pilot thought the manufacturer's app allowed him to fly.
What about the City of Amsterdam?
The municipality does not issue flight permits: for a drone, even during a registered film shoot, it refers you to the ILT. The government also asks you not to film recognisable people without good reason and not to hinder the emergency services. Other things to avoid are gathered in our guide to mistakes to avoid in Amsterdam.
Fines
The Dutch public prosecutor uses base amounts of €250 for a flight outside the Open category without authorisation (a flight in the CTR, over a crowd) and €100 for failing to register. They add up, can be raised depending on the circumstances, and the police can seize the drone.
Where to see Amsterdam from above without a drone
For an aerial view, the simplest option is A'DAM Lookout, whose terrace overlooks the IJ and Central Station from 100 metres up. Free terraces and other viewpoints are in our guide to the best views of Amsterdam.
The coast at Zandvoort is outside the Schiphol CTR, but the nearby dunes fall under Natura 2000 and a crowded beach cannot be flown over: check GoDrone on site. The beaches are covered in our guide to beaches near Amsterdam.
Summary table
| Situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Central Amsterdam (Schiphol CTR) | Open category banned; Specific category with LVNL approval |
| Port of Amsterdam (Westpoort) | Open category banned |
| Events, crowds, King's Day | No flying over them |
| Maximum height | 120 m |
| Hours | From 15 min before sunrise to 15 min after sunset |
| Operator registration | 250 g or more, or camera; €23 then €13 a year with the RDW |
| A1/A3 certificate | From 250 g, online exam, valid 5 years |
| Minimum age to fly alone | 16 |
| Base fine (prosecutor) | €250 without authorisation, €100 without registration |
Rules and fees checked in October 2026 with the Dutch government, the ILT, the RDW, LVNL and the Dutch public prosecutor.
Further reading
To see the city from above, follow our selection of the best views of Amsterdam. To get in from the airport, read our guide from Schiphol to central Amsterdam, and for a day by the sea, our guide to beaches near Amsterdam.
