Flying drones in the Faroe Islands offers an incredible experience, but it also comes with unique challenges. This small and remote archipelago, home to just 54,000 people spread across 18 islands, requires special attention to privacy and safety when flying drones, especially near wildlife and villages. To ensure responsible flying, we ask that you familiarize yourself with the following regulations before your visit.

Important Note: New drone regulations, similar to those of the EU, are currently under review in the Faroese legislative process. Once an English version of the new Faroese Drone Rules is available, we will provide a summary on our website. For more detailed information, please refer to the Faroese Police. For the Danish version of the new rules, please consult the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen). Below are the current rules, which will be updated soon.

Drone Flight Permissions – Conditions to Follow:

• Drones must not be flown within 150 meters of any residential area, village, town, or city.
• Drones must not fly across or within 150 meters of any public road.
• Drones must not be flown within a 5-kilometer radius of Vágar Airport.
• Drones must not be flown above summer houses, campgrounds, or places where crowds gather, such as festivals, or in natural areas with many people present.
• Drones must not exceed an altitude of 100 meters above ground level.

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

Important Notes:

• The Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union, meaning any EU-approved drone license is not valid here.
• Drone regulations in the Faroe Islands (BL9-4) are set by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen).
• The only exception to these rules applies to registered Faroese drone operators who have received approval from the Danish Trafikstyrelsen. No exceptions are granted to others.
• A list of approved Faroese drone operators will be made available on this site soon. In the meantime, you can contact the Faroese police for assistance in locating an approved operator.

Penalties:

Violating drone flight regulations in the Faroe Islands can result in a fine of DKK 5,000.

Additional Guidelines:

You will encounter signs like the one shown above at various locations across the islands. All drone pilots are expected to adhere to the rules, regardless of the presence of signage. Always be mindful of the environment, respect wildlife and birds, and consider the privacy of locals and farmers.

Given the unpredictable nature of Faroese weather, it is highly recommended to use durable drone equipment and check the weather forecast before flying.

Aviation regulations in the Faroe Islands are managed by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen). For more information, visit their website or download the Regulations on Unmanned Aircraft in English below.

Source: Faroese Police