Amsterdam Drone Laws 2025: 8 Key Rules & Regulations You Must Know Before You Fly

by Marcin Frąckiewicz
in Aviation, Drones, Law
on 28 July 2025

Recreational vs. Commercial Drone Use Regulations

Under the EU-wide framework adopted by the Netherlands, drone rules are risk-based rather than purpose-based – meaning the laws don’t fundamentally change whether you’re flying for fun or for business business.gov.nl. Both recreational hobbyists and commercial operators must abide by the same core safety rules in the “open” category (low-risk flights). These include:

Altitude Limit: Maximum flight height of 120 meters above ground or water business.gov.nl.
Visual Line of Sight: The drone must remain in your direct line of sight at all times (no purely FPV flying without a spotter) business.gov.nl.
Safe Distances from People: Avoid flying over uninvolved people and never over crowds or assemblies of people ts2.tech. Heavier drones face stricter distance rules – for example, drones ~1–2 kg must keep ~50 m from bystanders, and up to 25 kg must stay 150 m away from residential or urban areas ts2.tech.
Max Drone Weight: 25 kg is the upper weight limit for any drone operation in the open category business.gov.nl. Drones above that weight fall into higher risk categories.
Miscellaneous: No dropping of objects or transporting dangerous goods with your drone business.gov.nl, and you must always yield to manned aircraft (land immediately if helicopters or planes are nearby) business.gov.nl.

Commercial operations are not exempt from these baseline rules. In fact, under EU regulations, recreational and commercial pilots face the same requirements if conducting a similar low-risk flight ts2.tech ts2.tech. However, in practice many commercial missions involve higher risks or advanced activities that go beyond the open category. For example, a professional might need to fly in busy urban areas, at night, beyond visual line of sight, or with heavier drones, which bumps the operation into the “specific” category that requires special authorization ts2.tech ts2.tech. In short, if a business can carry out a job within the open category limits (small drone, <120 m altitude, clear of crowds, etc.), no extra permit is needed beyond what a hobbyist needs ts2.tech. But commercial use often demands additional steps – such as obtaining a permit for higher-risk flights, using certified equipment, and having insurance (discussed more below) – to ensure safety for more complex operations.

Flight Zones and No-Fly Areas in Amsterdam

One of the most critical things to know about flying in Amsterdam is where you’re allowed (and not allowed) to fly. Due to airspace safety, much of Amsterdam is essentially a no-fly zone for drones. The city lies within the controlled airspace of Schiphol International Airport – a Control Traffic Region (CTR) that extends roughly 14 km from the airport, covering most of Amsterdam kiwi-aerialshots.nl. Recreational and open-category drones are not allowed to fly at all inside a CTR; only specially approved operations in the specific or certified categories with air traffic control clearance can take place there en.lvnl.nl. In practical terms, 99% of Amsterdam is off-limits to casual drone flights because of the Schiphol CTR’s size kiwi-aerialshots.nl. Flying a drone in these areas without permission is strictly forbidden and considered illegal due to the risk of interference with aircraft taking off or landing.

Beyond the airport vicinity, the Dutch authorities have defined numerous other no-fly zones and restricted areas for drones, especially in the open category. According to official government guidelines, you cannot fly a drone in the open category above or around the following locations:

Critical Infrastructure & Government Sites: Government buildings, royal palaces, and military installations (including training grounds) are drone no-fly zones government.nl government.nl.
Public Events and Crowds: Areas of large public gatherings, events, or other temporarily closed-off public spaces are off-limits to drones government.nl. Authorities may designate ad-hoc no-fly zones during major events for security – for example, during a high-profile summit a general drone ban was declared around Schiphol and other sites english.marechaussee.nl.
Transportation Infrastructure: It’s illegal to fly over motorways (highways) with >80 km/h speed limits or over railway lines due to safety concerns government.nl. Likewise, hospital helipads and known low-flying helicopter routes must be avoided government.nl.
Industrial and Port Areas: Large seaports (like Amsterdam’s port) and any industrial facilities storing dangerous substances are typically no-fly zones without special permission government.nl. (In fact, Amsterdam’s entire western port area is classified as only for specific/certified category flights – no open-category flying is allowed there either portofamsterdam.com.)
Nature Reserves: Protected natural areas (e.g. Natura 2000 conservation sites) are generally no-drone zones as well government.nl. For certain nature areas you can apply for a permit from the provincial authorities, but absent a permit, drones are banned to prevent disturbance to wildlife english.ilent.nl english.ilent.nl.

It is crucial to consult the official drone airspace maps before flying. The Dutch air traffic control authority (LVNL) provides the “GoDrone” map/app which highlights restricted zones: red zones are no-go for open category drones, yellow indicate high-risk or sensitive areas, purple/blue for temporary restrictions, and green for protected nature zones english.ilent.nl english.ilent.nl. In Amsterdam, you will notice almost the entire map is red or orange because of Schiphol. Always double-check these maps for any temporary flight restrictions too – for instance, security measures during events can create short-term no-fly zones english.marechaussee.nl english.marechaussee.nl. Flying in a restricted area without authorization not only endangers others but can lead to serious penalties (as discussed later). In summary, Amsterdam’s dense urban environment plus its proximity to a major airport means legal flight zones are extremely limited – essentially only on the far outskirts or indoors. Always err on the side of caution and assume the city center is a “no-drone zone” unless you have explicit clearance.

Permits, Licenses, and Drone Registration Requirements

Before taking off, drone pilots in the Netherlands must ensure they have the proper registration and certifications in place. The Netherlands, following EU regulations, mandates that all drone operators (pilots/owners) register with the authorities if their drone has a camera or weighs 250g or more business.gov.nl. This is done through the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) – you apply for an operator registration number (often online), and then you must display that registration number on all your drones business.gov.nl. (Exception: the only users exempt from registration are those flying small toy drones under 250g without any camera; practically speaking, most camera-equipped drones, even tiny ones, require registration.) The registration links your identity to your drone and is valid across Europe once obtained.

In addition to registering as an operator, pilots need to have the right licenses or certificates for the category of operation:

EU Drone Certificate (Basic) – For any drone over 250g, even for recreational use, you must complete an online training and pass a theory exam to obtain at least the EU Open Category A1/A3 Certificate business.gov.nl. This basic certificate covers flying small drones in A1/A3 subcategories (i.e. lighter drones and operations far from people). Training and exams are offered by recognized Dutch flight schools (or other EU equivalents) and overseen by the ILT (Inspectorate) business.gov.nl. The minimum age for a pilot is generally 16 years (under adult supervision, younger teens can fly certain drones, but the registered operator must be an adult).
A2 “Proficiency” Certificate – If you plan to fly a drone up to 2 kg in closer proximity to people (within 50 meters) – which falls under subcategory A2 of the open category – you need to pass a more advanced exam to earn the A2 certificate business.gov.nl business.gov.nl. This involves additional self-practical training declaration and theory focused on risk mitigation. With A2, you’re allowed to fly heavier drones in moderately populated areas (but still not over uninvolved people).
Specific Category Authorizations – If your operation doesn’t fit within the open category limits (for example, flying in central Amsterdam’s CTR, beyond visual line of sight, at night, with a drone over 25kg, or other higher-risk activities), you fall into the “specific” category. In this case, a special permit is required from ILT before you fly business.gov.nl business.gov.nl. Obtaining an Operational Authorization involves performing a risk assessment (like a SORA – Specific Operations Risk Assessment) and submitting an application detailing where, when, and how you’ll operate. ILT will grant permission if it’s satisfied your operation can be done safely. Starting in 2023, the EU has also introduced pre-defined Standard Scenarios (STS) for common operations, which, if your flight matches one, can simplify the authorization process business.gov.nl. Frequent professional operators may go a step further and obtain a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) – essentially an organizational certificate that allows a company to self-authorize certain operations without individual permits each time business.gov.nl. These specific-category approvals are typically what’s needed for any commercial filming in Amsterdam, since the city is in controlled airspace.
Pilot Licensing (Professional) – Under the old Dutch system, commercial pilots needed an RPA-L (drone pilot license) and companies needed a ROC (operator certificate). The EU system has largely replaced this with the certifications above. However, effectively, if you’re a professional drone pilot in specific category operations, you will need greater training/credentials – for instance, a Certificate of Completion (A1/A3) plus an A2 certificate, and possibly additional scenario-based training depending on the authorization ts2.tech ts2.tech. ILT may require documentation of pilot competency as part of granting an operational permit. Always ensure your pilot’s qualifications match the mission’s requirements (e.g. don’t attempt an advanced operation with only a basic hobby certificate).

All the licenses and authorizations are recognized EU-wide. If you obtained your drone pilot certificates in the Netherlands, you can legally fly in any other EU country (within the same category limits) without re-certifying ts2.tech. Conversely, operators from another EU country can fly in the Netherlands on their home registration and license, as long as they respect local no-fly zones and national rules ts2.tech. One national rule to note in the Netherlands: drone flying is only allowed during daytime (more on that below) – even EU visitors must observe this. Finally, if you’re flying in the specific category in another country or as a foreign operator in NL, you should coordinate with the aviation authority (e.g. file your ILT authorization or get permission from the other country’s authority) ts2.tech.

Summary: Almost everyone flying a non-toy drone in Amsterdam will need to register with RDW and pass at least the EU A1/A3 drone exam. Keep proof of your registration and certificates handy (digital or printed), as you may need to produce them if questioned by authorities. And if your planned flight goes beyond the ordinary (higher risk), budget time to apply for the necessary permits well in advance – flying without the required authorization or license is illegal and can lead to severe consequences.

Drone Insurance Requirements in the Netherlands

Drone insurance is another important legal consideration, especially for commercial flyers. The EU drone regulations themselves do not uniformly mandate insurance for small drones, but Dutch law has specific requirements for heavier UAS. In the Netherlands, it is compulsory to carry liability insurance for any drone with a take-off weight above 20 kg business.gov.nl. This rule aligns with EU-wide aviation insurance regulations, which treat very large drones similarly to manned aircraft in terms of third-party liability coverage. Practically, drones over 20 kg are rare in recreational use (they’re usually commercial, e.g. heavy-lift drones). If you are operating such a large drone, you must ensure you have an appropriate insurance policy that meets the minimum coverage requirements (for example, EU rules require coverage of at least ~€750,000 for drones in certain weight classes). You can even record your insurance details in your RDW registration so that authorities know your drone is insured business.gov.nl.

For drones under 20 kg, there is no legal obligation in the Netherlands to have insurance, but it’s highly recommended. Many hobbyist pilots voluntarily obtain third-party liability insurance for peace of mind. In some cases, if you join a model flying club or drone association, membership might include basic coverage for drone flying. Commercial operators in particular almost always should have insurance – indeed, clients or permits may require proof of insurance even if the law doesn’t. For example, to get permission for certain events or locations, authorities might ask for a certificate of insurance. Additionally, from a business perspective, any potential property damage or personal injury caused by your drone could be financially devastating if you’re not insured. Insurance policies tailored to drones (often offered by aviation insurers or specialized companies) can cover public liability and even hull damage to your drone.

In summary, insurance is mandatory for 20kg+ drones by law ts2.tech ts2.tech, and strongly advisable for everyone else. Make sure any policy covers the Netherlands and the type of flying you do (recreational policies might exclude commercial use, for instance). It’s a modest cost relative to the protection it provides. Given Amsterdam’s crowded environment and strict rules, having insurance is also a good signal that you are a responsible pilot, and it may help if something does go awry.

Data Protection and Privacy Rules for Drone Operations

Operating a camera drone in Amsterdam isn’t just about aviation law – privacy and data protection laws are equally important. The Netherlands is subject to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the authorities (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens, the Dutch Data Protection Authority) have issued specific guidance on drone use. If your drone captures people in any recognizable or identifiable way, you are processing personal data and GDPR applies autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. In practical terms, this means drone pilots must respect privacy rights just as a CCTV operator or photographer would.

Key privacy principles include:

Informing People: You must notify individuals that they may be filmed by a drone if you are recording in an area where people could reasonably be identified autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. This could be done with signs at the edge of a drone flight area, announcements, or notices on a website before a flight autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. It’s not acceptable (and often not legal) to quietly film people with a drone without them knowing.
No Identifiable Footage Without Consent: It is not permitted to film or photograph people in a recognizable way without their consent autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl, unless you have another valid legal basis under GDPR (such as a compelling legitimate interest, which is hard to claim for most hobby flights). In public places, you should avoid prolonged hovering over individuals and never harass or stalk someone with a drone camera. Over private property, it’s especially sensitive – Dutch law explicitly makes it punishable to intentionally film inside someone’s home or other private space without permission solv.nl. Peeking into backyards or windows with your drone can violate not only GDPR but also trespassing or anti-stalking laws. Always err on the side of not recording people unless they’ve agreed or it’s unavoidable and inoffensive.
Purpose and Necessity: Under GDPR, you should only collect personal data that is necessary for a specific, legitimate purpose. For drone users, this means don’t record more than you need and don’t use drone footage of people for unrelated purposes autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. For instance, if you’re testing your drone, there’s no need to record video of bystanders. If you are filming a scenic view and accidentally capture people, be cautious about how you use or share that footage.
Data Security: Protect any recordings you do make. Raw footage that includes people’s faces, car license plates, etc., should be stored securely (encrypted if possible) and kept only as long as needed autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. Drones often transmit video to a controller or phone – be aware of signals that could be intercepted and use drones with secure transmission to prevent spying by third parties autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. If a drone is lost or stolen, any stored videos could leak, so consider that risk in how you operate.
Special Cases (Authorities and Media): Police and government agencies using drones have their own set of rules (e.g. under the Police Data Act) and usually need a legal mandate to film people. Journalists flying drones must still respect privacy – there is freedom of press, but, for example, the Dutch courts have noted journalists cannot ignore drone regulations and privacy laws solv.nl solv.nl. Even for news gathering, you generally can’t film inside private property. Always balance the newsworthiness against individuals’ privacy.

In crowded Amsterdam, privacy concerns are high. Residents may be uncomfortable with drones buzzing overhead, even if you believe you’re not violating any law. The Data Protection Authority warns that even if a drone isn’t recording, people on the ground might feel their privacy is invaded – so pilots should be mindful and avoid causing alarm autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. Bottom line: treat all drone-mounted cameras as potential privacy intruders. Fly high enough and angle cameras in such a way to minimize capturing people. If you do inadvertently capture someone, consider blurring their face if you share the footage. By following GDPR principles – transparency, consent, data minimization, and security – you can enjoy drone photography without running afoul of privacy laws autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl.

Equipment Restrictions: Drone Weight, Cameras, and Night Flying

Not all drones are treated equally under Amsterdam’s laws – certain equipment-related restrictions apply based on your drone’s specifications and how you fly it. Here are the major limitations to be aware of:

• Drone Weight Classes: As noted earlier, 25 kg is the maximum take-off weight for drones in the open category business.gov.nl. Anything above 25 kg automatically falls into the specific category or even certified category (for very large drones), which brings much stricter rules and licensing. Common consumer drones are usually well below this weight, but even within the <25 kg range there are sub-rules:

If your drone is 250g or more, it must be registered and the pilot licensed (A1/A3 at minimum) english.ilent.nl. Drones under 250g have more lenient rules only if they are also toy-class or not capable of capturing personal data – however, most <250g camera drones (like DJI Minis) do require registration because they have a camera.
Drones over 500g cannot fly over people at all (they’d be in A2 or A3 subcategory), and drones over 2 kg cannot operate in areas near people (A3 only). For example, a 5 kg drone can only fly in open areas at least 150 m away from residential or industrial zones business.gov.nl. Heavier drones also tend to have to operate at lower risk locations unless you have special permission.
Above 25 kg, as mentioned, moves to specific/certified category and would need an explicit permit and likely an airworthiness review. This is rarely attempted except by specialized industrial operators.

• Cameras and Sensors: There is no ban on flying a drone with a camera in Amsterdam (aside from privacy issues discussed). In fact, almost all drones have cameras. But having a camera does trigger legal requirements – primarily, if your drone has a camera and is not classified as a “toy,” you must register as an operator regardless of weight business.gov.nl. Thus the common belief that “under 250g is free from all rules” is incorrect if that sub-250g drone has a recording-capable camera. Additionally, some sensors like certain high-power zoom lenses or thermal cameras might raise additional privacy or security concerns, although there’s no specific law banning them; it falls back to how you use the footage. Night-vision cameras or spotlights used at night would certainly draw scrutiny since night flying itself is restricted (see below). Be mindful that if your drone setup involves transmitting on special frequencies (for long-range FPV, for instance), you may need a radio permit from the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure for that equipment ts2.tech – most off-the-shelf drones use standard Wi-Fi or 2.4/5.8 GHz which are fine, but custom FPV rigs might not.

• Night Flying: Under Dutch national rules, drones in the open category are only allowed to fly during the Uniform Daytime Period (UDP) – essentially daylight hours ts2.tech english.ilent.nl. This is a crucial point: Night flights are generally prohibited for recreational and standard operations. The Uniform Daytime Period is defined as from 15 minutes before sunrise until 15 minutes after sunset english.ilent.nl. Flying outside these times (in darkness) requires moving into the specific category and obtaining an exemption or special permission. For most users, this means you cannot do that cool night skyline shot of Amsterdam with your drone unless you have a permit and lighting on your drone. (EU regulations had allowed night flight with proper lights and training, but the Netherlands chose to impose a blanket UDP restriction for open category ts2.tech.) Always check sunrise/sunset times on the day of your flight – flying even a minute past the allowed time could technically put you in violation. If you truly need to fly at night (e.g. for a film production), you’d have to go through ILT’s authorization process as a specific category operation and equip the drone with proper anti-collision lighting. For casual flyers, it’s simply not allowed – plan your flights for daylight.

• Other Equipment Rules: By law you must have a “green flashing light” on the drone if flying in twilight (dawn/dusk) – this is to make it visible to others. FPV (First Person View) flying with goggles is allowed only with a spotter who can keep unaided visual contact with the drone; flying FPV solo is considered a breach of the VLOS rule dji.com. Additionally, modifications that could increase risk (like adding a flamethrower – yes, people have tried – or any weapon) are strictly illegal. Dropping items from a drone is banned in the open category business.gov.nl, so you can’t use your drone to scatter ashes, drop water balloons, deliver packages, etc., unless you have a specific-category approval for that activity. Finally, ensure your drone bears the required CE mark and, if applicable, class identification label (C0, C1, C2, etc.). As of 2024, new drones are sold with these class labels which indicate what operations they’re certified for. Older drones without class marks are now restricted to more limited subcategories (for instance, a 500g legacy drone without a class label can no longer fly in the A2 subcategory close to people – it must be flown in A3 far from people) dronelicense.eu dronelicense.eu. If you want to take advantage of flying in populated areas, make sure your drone has the appropriate class certification for that scenario, otherwise you could be breaking the new 2024 rules. Also, Remote ID is becoming a standard – from January 2024, most new drones need to broadcast an electronic ID signal with the drone’s info during flight ts2.tech. While legacy drones under 250g or without class labels are exempt for now, any drone with a C1–C3 class label in Europe must have built-in Remote ID ts2.tech. This means enforcement authorities can detect and trace your drone in the air. It’s wise to ensure any firmware updates enabling Remote ID are applied, as flying a drone that is supposed to broadcast Remote ID but isn’t doing so could lead to penalties.

In summary, choose your equipment wisely: a lighter, properly labeled drone will give you more freedom under the law. Always obey the day/time restrictions and other gear-related rules (like no payload drops). The regulations might seem strict, but they are there to maintain safety in Amsterdam’s congested airspace and streets. Flying a 2 kg drone at midnight through the canals is a recipe for legal trouble – so don’t do it!

Enforcement and Penalties for Violations

The Dutch authorities take drone law compliance very seriously – especially in a city like Amsterdam where the risks of misuse are high. Enforcement is carried out by various agencies: the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) monitors compliance and can investigate serious breaches, local and military police units (including the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee) respond to drone incidents, and air traffic control (LVNL) reports violations in controlled airspace. For example, the Marechaussee (military police) actively enforces the drone ban around Schiphol Airport and will intervene if an unauthorized drone is detected near the airport english.marechaussee.nl english.marechaussee.nl.

If you break the drone rules, you could face a range of penalties depending on the severity of the offense:

On-the-spot fines: Minor infractions (like flying a bit above the altitude limit or in a less sensitive no-fly area) might result in a fine on the spot. Dutch police have issued fines in the few hundred euro range for small violations. A common Amsterdam scenario is a tourist flying a drone in the city center unaware of the rules – authorities have quoted fines roughly €250–€500 for such cases as a starting point (and they may confiscate the drone as well).
Drone Confiscation: Authorities are empowered to seize your drone if you’re caught violating regulations. This often happens in conjunction with other penalties. For instance, during a recent security event, officials warned that any unauthorized drone flight in restricted zones would result in the drone being confiscated and the operator summoned (ordered to appear in court) on top of a fine english.marechaussee.nl.
High fines and legal prosecution: For serious violations – e.g., flying near an airport and endangering aircraft, or repeat offenses – the penalties escalate quickly. Dutch law sets a maximum fine of about €7,800 for illegally flying a drone, and in worst-case scenarios up to six months imprisonment solv.nl. Criminal charges can be brought under the Aviation Act or even the Criminal Code if you recklessly endanger people. Endangering air traffic is a very serious offense. It’s worth noting a Dutch court has indeed fined drone pilots (for example, a journalist was fined €1,000 for flying near a heliport) solv.nl, and that was under older law – under current rules, doing something similar in a no-fly zone could result in equally severe or more severe punishment.
License or permit revocations: ILT can suspend or revoke your drone operator registration or any authorizations if you violate conditions. For commercial operators, this could halt your business. Likewise, if you’re a certified pilot (A2 or higher) and you willfully break rules, you could lose your certificates.
Additional consequences: If your drone flight causes damage or injury, you can be held liable for all costs. Insurance might not cover you if you were breaking the law when the incident happened. Also, if you crash in a sensitive location (like hitting someone’s window or a historical building), you could face civil lawsuits in addition to regulatory fines. And obviously, if your drone causes an accident, you might face much more serious criminal charges.

Enforcement in Amsterdam has been ramping up. Reports indicated that in recent years, authorities detected over 2,000 illegal drone flights in Amsterdam’s airspace, many by uninformed visitors. Don’t assume you can hide in a big city – law enforcement units use technologies like drone detection systems and even drone jammers during events to find rogue drones. The introduction of Remote ID in 2024 will make it even easier for police to identify a drone’s operator in real time. If a cop or air traffic controller can pull up your drone’s ID on a tablet, they’ll know who’s flying illegally and where to find you.

Tip: Always carry proof of your registration and qualifications when flying, and be prepared to land immediately if authorities approach. If confronted, cooperation can go a long way – they might educate and warn you if it’s a minor first-time issue. However, blatant or dangerous violations (like flying near Schiphol or over a crowd) will result in “zero tolerance” enforcement – meaning you’ll likely be fined and your drone confiscated on the spot english.marechaussee.nl. The Dutch police and ILT have little patience for drone pilots who ignore safety rules, and rightfully so. It’s not unheard of for violators to be prosecuted; the legal pathway exists to impose steep fines or even imprisonment for egregious cases solv.nl. In summary, the cost of non-compliance is far higher than the cost of simply following the rules. Given how strict Amsterdam is, it’s easy to avoid trouble: most of the time, it means not flying in the first place unless you have a truly legal scenario.

Recent Changes and Upcoming Updates to Drone Laws

Drone regulations are continually evolving, and it’s important to stay up-to-date. A bit of context: prior to 2021, the Netherlands had its own national drone rules that sharply separated recreational and commercial flying (with things like the ROC-light permit for small business drones, and outright bans on commercial use without exemptions). Those old rules were replaced on 31 December 2020 by the new EASA (EU) drone regulations, creating a unified system across Europe ts2.tech ts2.tech. This was a positive change – for example, it eliminated the virtual ban on commercial drones that existed; now a professional photographer can operate under the same open category rules as a hobbyist for a low-risk flight ts2.tech. It also standardized training and allowed mutual recognition of licenses across EU countries ts2.tech. Amsterdam, being under national law, fully adopted this framework. So if you learned to fly under pre-2021 Dutch rules, be aware that things like the old ROC-Light license are no longer issued – you should obtain the new EU certificates instead.

In 2023-2024, a few significant updates came into effect:

EU Drone Class Labels & Transitional Period End: The EU had a transition period to phase in hardware standards for drones. As of 1 January 2024, that transitional period ended. Now, to fly in certain subcategories (A1, A2) with new drones, the drone must have an official class identification label (C0 through C4) ts2.tech ts2.tech. For instance, to fly “close to people” (A2 category), your drone needs a C2 label; to fly “over people” (A1 category) with anything heavier than 250g, it needs at least a C1 label. Legacy drones (those without class marking that were purchased before) are still allowed but with more restrictions: e.g., a 300g old drone now can only be flown in A3 (far from people) whereas before 2024 you could fly it in A1 over people during a transition period dronelicense.eu dronelicense.eu. This change is pushing users towards newer, safer drone models or adjusting how they operate older drones. If you have an older drone and want to fly in Amsterdam (outside CTR areas), it likely means you should treat it as A3 category – well away from any people or built-up areas.
Remote ID Introduction: Alongside class labels, the EU introduced mandatory Remote ID for drones. Since January 1, 2024, most drones are required to broadcast a remote identification signal during flight ts2.tech. In practice, all drones with class labels C1, C2, C3 (and higher) already have to do this; many new DJI models, for instance, transmit the pilot’s registration number and drone telemetry that can be received by authorities or anyone with the right receiver. The Netherlands follows this rule – ILT expects compliance with Remote ID where applicable. Fortunately, legacy drones without class labels are currently exempt from the Remote ID mandate in the open category dronelicense.eu dronelicense.eu. So if you’re flying an older drone (and again, only in uncongested areas, given Amsterdam’s constraints) you don’t have to add a Remote ID module yet. But if you buy a new drone in 2025, be aware it likely has Remote ID broadcasting by default. This development is part of enhancing security – for example, if someone flies a drone in downtown Amsterdam, law enforcement can immediately identify who the operator is (via the operator registration number being broadcast).
National Law Alignment: The Dutch government has been updating its national laws (such as the Aviation Act and related regulations) to fully align with EU terminology and requirements. This includes implementing UAS Geographical Zones (the no-fly zones discussed) into law, increasing or adjusting penalties for drone violations, and refining coordination procedures like the GoDrone clearance system for controlled airspace ts2.tech. Expect that Dutch regulations will continue to be fine-tuned – for instance, they might formally integrate digital notification requirements when flying in certain zones (already, professional pilots use apps to request clearance).
U-Space and Future Airspace Integration: On the horizon is the concept of U-space – a Europe-wide system for managing drone traffic in designated airspace, enabling safer BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations in cities. Amsterdam has been at the forefront of some U-space trials. In fact, the city established an “Amsterdam Drone Lab” in 2021 to test drone corridors and urban drone use cases like delivery flights across the IJ river u-space.berlin. They have tested special drone air corridors with cooperation from authorities, hinting that in the coming years we may see specific drone lanes or times where drones can fly more freely in Amsterdam under U-space supervision. While these are still pilot projects, the direction is that Amsterdam is preparing for more advanced drone operations (like infrastructure inspection, medical deliveries, etc.) once technology and regulations permit. So, if you’re planning for the future: keep an eye on U-space developments. It’s possible that parts of Amsterdam could be officially opened for registered drone flights in a controlled manner via new systems.
Upcoming Drone ID Markings: By 2026, the EU may require all drones (even legacy) to have Remote ID if flying in certain areas or U-space. Also, future EU rule updates might introduce things like pilot medical self-declarations for bigger drones, parachute requirements for certain operations, etc. As of early 2025, nothing drastic is changing immediately beyond what’s noted, but continuous improvement is the theme.

Historical context: Amsterdam has always been strict – even before EU rules, flying a drone in the city was mostly illegal due to Schiphol. There used to be virtually no way for a tourist to legally fly, and commercial operators had to go through a mountain of paperwork (each flight needed a TUG exemption and notifying the mayor, etc., under old law solv.nl solv.nl). The new EU system has streamlined some of that, but the fundamental no-fly nature of Amsterdam hasn’t changed because that’s tied to safety near the airport. If anything, enforcement is tighter now, and public awareness is greater.

In conclusion, drone laws in Amsterdam (and the Netherlands) are dynamic – what was true a couple years ago might not be true now. The best advice is to regularly check official resources like ILT’s website or the Government.nl updates on drones. By 2025, we’ve seen a shift towards more standardization (EU-wide rules), but also higher-tech enforcement (Remote ID) and continued caution for urban drone use. Stay informed about new regulations or geofenced zones, especially if you plan operations that push the boundaries. Amsterdam will continue balancing innovation with safety, so any loosening of rules (like allowing certain drone services) will come with new frameworks to manage them. For now, any drone pilot in Amsterdam should focus on following the current rules to the letter – when in doubt, don’t take off. The legal landscape may evolve, but the priority on safety and privacy isn’t going away. Fly safe and legally, and you’ll have no problems enjoying your drone elsewhere or when the time comes that Amsterdam opens up more opportunities for UAV flights.

Sources: The information in this report is based on official Dutch government publications and regulations, including the Netherlands Enterprise Agency’s guidelines business.gov.nl business.gov.nl business.gov.nl, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management/ILT directives english.ilent.nl english.ilent.nl, local Amsterdam authorities (e.g. Port of Amsterdam) portofamsterdam.com, and European Union drone regulations, as well as insights from the Dutch Data Protection Authority on privacy autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl. These sources reflect the law as of mid-2025 and have been cited throughout for verification. Always refer to the latest official updates before flying, as rules can change. Enjoy exploring the skies responsibly! en.lvnl.nl english.marechaussee.nl

Tags: Amsterdam, Drone Laws, regulations