UAS Airspace Restrictions

The operation of unmanned aircraft in No Drone Zones is prohibited except in the following cases. In No Drone Zones, the operation of unmanned aircraft is permissible in ad hoc segregated airspaces specifically designated for that purpose, or where the operator requesting the designation of NDZ has consented to the use of the No Drone Zone, or where the use of the No Drone Zone is necessary for the exercise of the statutory supervisory or control powers of a public authority. Joint Decree 26/2007 (III. 1.) GKM-HM-KvVM designates No Drone Zones within the controlled airspace of Budapest (LHBP), Kecskemét (LHKE), Szolnok (LHSN) and Pápa (LHPA) aerodromes and in the vicinity of Bácsbokod aerodrome.

In Budapest CTR, outside the LHBP No Drone Zone, unmanned aircraft may be operated up to 40 m (132 ft) AGL without the permission of the appropriate ATS unit. These operations are not known to the appropriate ATS unit. This rule also applies to the No Drone Zone of aerodromes with military controlled airspace (Kecskemét, Pápa, Szolnok). The areas of the No Drone Zones as designated in Joint Decree 26/2007 (III. 1.) GKM-HM-KvVM can be downloaded at the bottom of the article.

Airspace restricted or prohibited for other UAS operations

For aerodromes with a traffic information zone (TIZ) or an aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ), unmanned aircraft operations may only be conducted in these zones with the consent of the aerodrome operator.

At aerodromes where a radio mandatory zone (RMZ) and/or a transponder mandatory zone (TMZ) has been designated, unmanned aircraft may only fly in the RMZ/TMZ with the consent of the competent air traffic service (the competent air traffic service may not always be the same as the aerodrome operator).

Within a radius of 2 km from the reference point of aerodromes without an aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ), and within a radius of 750 metres from the reference point of rescue helicopter landing sites, operations with unmanned aircraft may only be conducted if the aerodrome operator has granted consent and – except for operational restrictions imposed by the organisations specified in Government Decree 4/1998 (I. 16.) – the person carrying out the activity has notified the aviation authority of the operation, attaching the required consent, no later than two days before the activity commences. (This notification does not exempt from any other restrictions applicable to UAS operations.)

Unmanned aircraft operations may be conducted in danger areas and in temporary reserved areas outside their operational hours, except in danger areas designated for certification purposes.

In restricted areas, unmanned aircraft is subject to the rules applicable to the use of that airspace.

Unmanned aircraft operations in prohibited areas are prohibited except as authorised by the Minister responsible for transport.

The operation of unmanned aircraft is prohibited in airspaces designated to protect flights conducted at altitudes of up to 150 metres above ground level by state aircraft other than unmanned state aircraft.

Operations with unmanned aircraft within a Drop Zone may be conducted during its operational period only with the consent of the organisation performing the coordination tasks and provided direct contact and communication are ensured between this organisation and the remote pilot.

Unmanned aircraft may not be operated in the airspace above a radius of 300 metres of protected facilities defined in Act XXXVI of 2012 on the National Assembly, prominent national heritage sites defined in Act LXIV of 2001 on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, and facilities of major importance for the functioning of the State defined in Government Decree 160/1996 (XI. 5.) on the protection of protected persons and designated facilities, as well as in Decree 24/1997 (III. 26.) of the Minister of the Interior on the scope of facilities of major importance for the operation of the State and the supplying of the population.

Unmanned aircraft may not be operated in airspace above a radius of 300 metres surrounding critical infrastructure designated under Act LXXXIV of 2024 on the resilience of critical entities, or infrastructure deemed significant for national defence and security, as designated under Act XCIII of 2021 on the coordination of defence and security activities, except for the LHBP No Drone Zone airspace. An exception applies if the drone is operated by, or with the authorisation of, the organisation managing the infrastructure.

In airspace subject to operational restrictions imposed by the organisations specified in Government Decree 4/1998 (I. 16.), unmanned aircraft may be operated only without compromising the interests of the relevant organisations, in accordance with the individual authorisation or verbal instruction issued by the organisation imposing the restriction, under the conditions specified therein.

For more information on the operation of unmanned aircraft, please visit https://mydronespace.hu.