Am I allowed to fly a drone in Sweden?
Yes — under the EU drone rules administered by the Transport Agency. Most recreational flying is in the Open category: under 25 kg, within line of sight, max 120 m altitude and never over crowds. You must register as an operator if the drone weighs 250 g or more or has a camera — and the camera rule applies at any weight, which is the trap for every little hobby drone just under 250 g. Registration costs 190 kr plus 250 kr a year, and a drone licence (online test) is needed from 250 g and lasts 5 years. To publish your footage you need a free dissemination permit from Lantmäteriet, and GDPR applies if people are identifiable. New criminal sanctions apply from 1 January 2026.
📋 The rules
- Open category: max 120 m altitude, line of sight, never over people
- Register as operator if the drone is ≥250 g or has a camera
- Fees: 190 kr to apply + 250 kr/year
- Drone licence (online test) needed from 250 g, valid 5 years
- Not near airports — check the Drone map first
🔓 Exceptions
- Under 250 g with no camera: no registration or drone licence
- Model-flying clubs may have special conditions
- A dissemination permit (free, Lantmäteriet) is needed to publish aerial images
⚠️ Penalties & fines
From 1 January 2026 new criminal sanctions apply, including for flying without a drone licence where one is required. Flying without registering as an operator, going above 120 m, losing sight of the drone or passing over a crowd all breach the conditions of the Open category. Publishing images in which people can be identified may be a GDPR breach, a matter for IMY — and the sanction there can cost far more than the flight ever did. Spreading aerial images without Lantmäteriet's dissemination permit is an offence in its own right, even though the permit is free.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have to register my drone?
You register as an operator if the drone weighs 250 g or more, or if it has a camera — at any weight. So even a little 249-gram drone with a camera must be registered, and it costs 190 kr to apply plus 250 kr a year.
How high can I fly?
Max 120 metres above the ground in the Open category, and always within line of sight. You may never fly over crowds, and flying near airports is banned — check the Drone map before you take off.
Do I need a drone licence?
Yes, for drones from 250 g. It is an online test with the Transport Agency, valid for 5 years, and from 1 January 2026 there are criminal sanctions for flying without it where it is required.
Can I publish aerial images?
You need a dissemination permit from Lantmäteriet, which is free but mandatory before you post aerial images. GDPR also applies if people are identifiable in the shots, and IMY is the supervisory authority.
Where can I not fly?
Not near airports, never over crowds, no higher than 120 metres and never out of sight. Always check the Drone map before you fly — and model-flying clubs may have their own special conditions.
🔎 Common searches
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