Apply for an operating license for the cross-border operation of unmanned aircraft (UAS) in the "special" operating category

    Are you registered as an operator of unmanned aircraft (UAS) in an EASA member state other than Germany and would like to operate a UAS in the "special" operating category in Germany? Then you need a permit for this.

    Description

    You apply for approval from the German Federal Aviation Authority (LBA) and receive it if you meet one of the two requirements:

    • The aviation authority in your country has already granted you an operating license for your country or
    • You have the Light Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate (LUC) including the right to add a new operating area independently.

    EASA establishes and monitors uniform safety and environmental standards for civil aviation at European level.

    Online service

    Betriebsgenehmigung für den grenzübergreifenden Betrieb unbemannter Luftfahrzeuge (UAS) in der Betriebskategorie "speziell" online beantragen

    ID: B100019_110136025

    Description

    Im Bundesportal finden Sie Informationen zu Verwaltungsleistungen von Bund, Ländern und Kommunen. Hierüber können Sie Behördengänge direkt online erledigen.

    Use this service online

    Trust level

    You need an account with password to use this online service (trust level: basic registration).

    further information on the level of trust for online services

    Identification

    • electronic identification using national eID means – software certificate
    • electronic identification using national eID means – user name/password

    Language

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de

    Contact person

    Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA)

    Address

    address

    Hermann-Blenk-Straße 26

    38108 Braunschweig

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    Contact

    Internet

    Version

    Technisch geändert on 06.08.2025

    Language version

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de

    Englisch

    Sprache: en

    Sprachbezeichnung nativ:

    English

    Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), Referat B 5

    Address

    address

    Hermann-Blenk-Str. 26

    38108 Braunschweig

    Save contact

    Opening hours

    Telefonzeiten: Montag: 10:00 - 12:00 Uhr Mittwoch: 10:00 - 12:00 Uhr Donnerstag: 10:00 - 12:00 Uhr

    Contact

    fax: +49 531 2355-3598(Informationen zur Benennung von Stellen (PStF) zur Durchführung von Theorieprüfungen für Fernpiloten)

    telephone: +49 531 2355-3580

    e-mail: pstf@lba.de

    e-mail: uas@lba.de

    Internet

    Payment methods

    The following payment method is possible: Transfer

    Version

    Technisch geändert on 21.11.2023

    Language version

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de

    Required documents

    • Application form
    • Operating license
    • File with the coordinates of the operating area
    • File with risk mitigation measures

    if an authorization as LUC is available:

    • Application form
    • Simplified operator certificate (LUC) with scope of approval
    • File with the coordinates of the operating area

    if you are submitting the application on behalf of another person, for example a minor:

    • Power of attorney

    if you are applying for the operating license by post, you will need the following for authentication purposes

    • for natural persons:
      • identity card
      • Passport or
      • residence permit, in each case as a copy
    • for legal entities:
      • Extract from the commercial or association register with
      • copy of identity card or passport and
      • Signature of an authorized representative

    Prerequisites

    • You live in an EASA member state other than Germany.
    • You are registered with your national aviation authority as a UAS operator.
    • You have
      • an operating license for the "special" operating category, issued by your national aviation authority, or
      • a simplified operator certificate (LUC).
    • the flight of your UAS does not correspond to any of the standard scenarios.
    • Your UAS operation is assigned to the "special" operating category. This is the case
      • as soon as a condition of the "open" operating category is not met and
      • none of the criteria of the "subject to approval" operating category apply.

    Note: The conditions that apply to the "open" and "subject to approval" operating categories can be found in Article 4 and Article 6 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

    Contradiction

    Procedure

    You can apply for your UAS operating permit for the cross-border operation of a UAS in the "special" operating category online or by post

    • Call up the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information.
    • Upload the required documents and submit the application. Alternatively, you can print out the completed online application and send it to the LBA by post together with the documents.
    • The LBA will check your application.
    • You will receive
      • a fee notice and
      • an operating license or
      • a rejection notice.
    • You pay the fees.

    Deadlines

    Objection deadline: 1 month

    Processing time

    2 to 8 weeks

    Costs

    Fee for issuing an operating license: Fee from 100,00 EUR to 500,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)

    Notes (specifics)

    There are no indications or special features.

    Further Information

    Area of validity

    Germany-wide

    Official approval

    Officially approved by Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) on 28.09.2023

    Version

    Technisch geändert on 01.12.2025

    Keywords

    EASA, Operator

    Language version

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de

    Englisch

    Sprache: en

    Sprachbezeichnung nativ:

    English