Airffic InspectionThe future guide to drone inspection

REGULATIONS / NL

Netherlands: drone rules for inspection

The Netherlands applies the EU rules, with RDW handling registration (operator number shown on the drone) and ILT handling Specific-category permits and STS declarations. Insurance is mandatory only above 20 kg, and Remote ID is required for C1-C3 drones and all Specific-category drones. Open flights are limited to uncontrolled airspace; a plan to replace the roughly 15 km airport control zones with four tiered zones was explained to parliament in 2026, but its start date and any national rules for industrial or critical sites were not confirmed.

Checked against official sources

Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.

Authority人間環境・運輸監督局 (ILT)、車両登録局 (RDW)、インフラ・水管理省 (IenW) / Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT, acting as CAA NL) for Specific-category permits, STS declarations and enforcement; RDW for operator registration; Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) for zoning policy; LVNL publishes airspace restrictions in the GoDrone app
Main frameworkEU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945 (ILT: the Netherlands applies them as an EASA Member State), plus Dutch national implementing rules (Regeling onbemande luchtvaartuigen; content not read: not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
RegistrationOwners/operators register with the RDW and receive an operator (exploitant) number, which must be visible on the drone. No registration if the drone is under 250 g without a camera, or under 250 g with a CE toy mark. Insurance is mandatory only for drones over 20 kg (to be added to the RDW operator record); it is recommended but not required for lighter drones.
Remote IDRemote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 drones and for all drones in the Specific category (Rijksoverheid).
Pilot licensingPilots of drones of 250 g or more need a certificate (vliegbewijs), must be 16 or older and carry it in flight; pilots under 16 need a certificate-holding observer. Certificates are valid EU-wide. Specific-category competence per the ILT permit or STS.
Risk categoriesOpen (no ILT permit; visible Cx class label required) / Specific (ILT permit or STS operational declaration; drones of 25 kg or more are automatically Specific) / Certified (rules still being developed, per Rijksoverheid). ILT notes that operator permit applications may for now be sent by email. PDRA/SORA/LUC handling by ILT (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
BVLOSBVLOS requires the Specific category (ILT permit or STS-02 declaration). Specific ILT procedure for BVLOS (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Night & over peoplePer EU rules. National night conditions (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). Pilots must not fly near emergency services (e.g. trauma helicopters) and must land if other air traffic is near.
Near structuresOpen flights only in uncontrolled airspace; controlled airspace and other restricted parts of free airspace are shown in the LVNL GoDrone app. Around civil airports, flight within about a 15 km radius currently needs ATC permission; IenW proposed (answer to parliamentary questions received 4 Feb 2026) replacing this with four zones that are less strict further from the airport while keeping drones banned along approach and departure routes; entry-into-force date not given. National rules for industrial or critical infrastructure (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Indoor & confinedTreatment of indoor flights under Dutch rules (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Imaging & privacyRijksoverheid: only film people who have given consent. GDPR (AVG) and Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens guidance apply (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Recent changes15 May 2025: ILT English drone portal issued (updated Oct 2026). 9 Dec 2025 / 4 Feb 2026: parliamentary questions and answers on the IenW proposal to shrink and tier the drone restriction zones around Schiphol and other civil airports (CTR zoning); status after Feb 2026 (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).

Sources

Sources checked: 2026-10-22