REGULATIONS / CH
Switzerland: drone rules for inspection
Switzerland has applied the EU drone rules since 2023 alongside national rules, under FOCA (BAZL). Camera drones must be registered, and drones of 250 g or more need at least CHF 1 million liability insurance. BVLOS inspection uses STS-02 (C6, sparsely populated, controlled ground area), a PDRA or a SORA-based authorisation; areas near airfields, wildlife reserves and prisons are banned or need permission, but rules for power plants or railways were not confirmed.
Checked against official sources
Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.
| Authority | 連邦民間航空局 (FOCA / BAZL / OFAC) / Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA / BAZL / OFAC); cantons and municipalities may add environmental and personal-protection restrictions |
| Main framework | EU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945 have applied in Switzerland since 2023 (via the EU-Swiss air transport agreement), alongside Swiss national rules; FOCA pages cite Regulation (EU) 2019/947 throughout. Some cantons and municipalities set additional restrictions. |
| Registration | Most operators must register with FOCA via UAS.gate (free, CH-Login). Drones under 250 g are exempt only if they cannot capture personal data; any drone with a camera must be registered. Liability insurance of at least CHF 1 million is required for drones of 250 g and heavier (recommended for lighter ones). |
| Remote ID | FOCA operates a network identification service (operator UAS number, serial number, position, altitude, route, speed, pilot/take-off location, emergency status; no personal data) for U-space participants and authorities. No USSPs were approved yet as of FOCA's FAQ update of 27 Nov 2024. Compliance dates for direct Remote ID in Switzerland (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). |
| Pilot licensing | Open: online course and test (75% pass) for drones 250 g+; A2 requires an exam; certificates valid 5 years and mutually recognised with the EU; minimum age 12 (ch.ch). STS: valid A1/A3 plus an in-person STS theory exam at FOCA Ittigen or the Illnau/Lausanne centres (40 questions, 30 for A2 holders; 75%; CHF 20; registered via dLIS) and practical training from a FOCA-recognised entity; valid 5 years. |
| Risk categories | Open (C0-C4 class determines A1-A3) / Specific (FOCA: STS-01 and STS-02 by declaration, PDRA by compliance matrix without class label, SORA, LUC, SPRAY authorisation for spraying, recognised/qualified entities) / Certified. STS-01: VLOS, below 120 m, controlled ground area, may be over populated areas (>300 people/km2), C5 (or C3 with C5 kit). STS-02: BVLOS, below 120 m, controlled ground area, sparsely populated (<300/km2), C6. STS declaration fee CHF 80; FOCA issues a Confirmation of Receipt and Completeness valid 2 years (page modified 27 Oct 2025). |
| BVLOS | BVLOS through STS-02 (C6 drone, sparsely populated area, controlled ground area), a PDRA, or a SORA-based FOCA authorisation (FOCA publishes SORA guidance material, e.g. on air-risk assessment). Operations authorised under PDRA/SORA by another EASA state need a cross-border application to FOCA. |
| Night & over people | Since 2023 overflight of gatherings (e.g. weddings, public events) is not allowed in the Open category; the operating class sets distances to uninvolved people. Swiss night rules (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). |
| Near structures | Flying is banned or needs permission near airfields, in wildlife protection areas and near prisons; zones and permit contacts are shown on the FOCA drone map and the swisstopo app. Rules for power plants, industrial sites or railways (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). |
| Indoor & confined | Treatment of indoor flights under Swiss rules (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). |
| Imaging & privacy | Camera drones must be registered because they can capture personal data. Revised Federal Act on Data Protection (2023) applies (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). Violations of the Aviation Act can bring fines up to CHF 20,000 or imprisonment. |
| Recent changes | 2023: EU drone rules applied in Switzerland; Open-category ban on flying over gatherings. 27 Nov 2024: U-space FAQ update (no USSP approved yet). 27 Oct 2025: STS page and STS exam guidance updated. Later changes (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). |
Sources
- Standard scenarios (STS)Full text read
- Specific categoryFull text read
- U-space FAQFull text read
- DrohnenFull text read
Sources checked: 2026-10-22