Photography & Drones — Germany

In Germany a camera drone must be registered before it flies, however light it is - the under-250 g exemption is void the moment there is a camera or microphone on board. You register with the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt for EUR 20, it can take up to 14 working days, and third-party liability insurance is compulsory with proof carried on you while you fly. You may not fly over anyone's home without that owner's express consent.

Breaching the EU Drone Regulation, operating without the required liability insurance, failing to affix the registration number, or failing to carry proof of insurance: administrative fine of up to EUR 50,000, per LuftVG Paragraf 58(2) with Paragraf 58(3), and published by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt in its own Bussgeld table for flight operations. No per-offence tariff is published - EUR 50,000 is the statutory ceiling, not a standard fine, and Land-level Bussgeldkataloge were not checked. Separately, unauthorised image-taking under StGB Paragraf 201a carries up to 2 years' imprisonment or a fine, and the camera or drone itself may be confiscated.