In Europe, the majority of the National Aviation Authorities (NAA) have established aviation safety rules regulating the use of drones in the airspace. These rules have been put in place to ensure that drone operations do not create a hazard for people or property, or for other airspace users (airplanes, gliders, helicopters, etc.) 

Before take-off, you should always inform yourself about the local flight rules that will apply to your flight and follow some basic safety rules. 

These rules differ from country to country but typically include:

• Flying restrictions. National Aviation Authorities have established detailed rules based upon the operational complexity of your flight and the weight of your aircraft. In a majority of cases, countries impose a maximum flying altitude and require special permission to operate over populated areas or Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
• Pilot training obligations to ensure that potential operators have all necessary skills and a basic understanding of aviation safety rules. In many countries, prospective operator will be required to pass a written exam and a flight test.
• The obligation for your drone to have an airworthiness certificate attesting that it is safe to fly.
• The obligation to register your drone with the competent authority.

 If you want to learn more about drone safety and operational rules and how to apply to get the necessary permissions, we invite you to visit this website resources section. In case of remaining doubt on the legal aspect of your operation, please contact your National Aviation Authority.

Finally, you should always remember that failing to comply with local laws may result in significant financial penalties and/or legal consequences.

Learn how to asses safety risks here.