Drone Flying in Greenland

On this page, you can read more about the rules for drone flying in Greenland.

Rules for drone flying in Greenland

There are specific rules for drone operations in Greenland. Drone flying in Greenland does not follow the regulations for Denmark and the rest of the EU, as Greenland is outside of the EU regulatory framework for drones.

You have to operate your drone in Greenland according to the Aviation Act and specific the rules outlined in the regulations BL 9-4 Regulations on unmanned aircraft not weighing more than 25 kg. Below, we provide an overview of the regulations.

Overview of the rules

BL 9-4 specifies the rules for operating drones in Greenland, including the requirement that all drone operations shall take place outside urban areas. However, if you need to perform professional tasks related to your business, you can apply for an exemption to operate in urban areas and potentially closer to airports and helicopter landing sites. Read more below.

Read BL 9-4

Since Greenland is outside the European Union, the common European regulations for drones do not apply.

Drone certificates in categories A1/A3 or A2 are not valid in Greenland. Neither the European drone regulation nor the Danish drone ordinance applies.

You must not endanger other people or their property. This means you cannot overfly people or properties, as a crash could pose a risk to them.

The maximum flight altitude is 100 meters above ground level.

If you wish to fly higher than 100 meters, you must apply for an exemption.

The application shall include a risk assessment based on JARUS SORA. You can find guidance, materials, and annexes from JARUS here.

A restricted area must be established for operations exceeding 100 meters in altitude and if you are flying BVLOS.

For more information, contact the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority at

info@trafikstyrelsen.dk

Do not overfly densely populated areas, including towns, settlements, and areas where a large number of people are gathered outdoors.

Maintain at least 150 meters distance from built-up areas and major public roads.

5 km from public airfields: Maintain a minimum distance of 5 km from the runways.

8 km from military airbases: Maintain a minimum distance of 8 km from the runways.

Sensitive natural areas mentioned in BL 7-16 must not be overflown.

For permission to fly in such areas, contact the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority at

info@trafikstyrelsen.dk

BL 9-4 applies to aviation within Danish territory (read: Greenland) using unmanned aircraft weighing up to 25 kg.

Drone weight categories in Greenland:

  • Category 1A: 0 – up to 1.5 kg
  • Category 1B: 1.5 – up to 7 kg
  • Category 2: 7 – up to 25 kg

For drones weighing more than 25 kg, you must apply for an exemption with a risk assessment.

Drones between 7 and 25 kg and drones with jet engines (regardless of weight) are subject to the following additional rules, alongside the general rules in BL 9-4:

The aircraft must be equipped with a radio control system (section 5).

Flights may only take place from an approved model aircraft airfield (section 4.3 b) and within the airspace limitations of such an airfield (section 4.3 a).

Liability insurance must be secured, as required by § 130 of the Aviation Act.

The operation must be conducted under an organization approved by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority, focusing on amateur model aircraft flying, and in compliance with regulations approved by the authority.

Learn more about applying for an exemption based on an operations manual developed in accordance with AIC B 08/14 below.

 

Drone flying outside urban areas in Greenland

If you are traveling to Greenland for recreational or professional drone flying outside urban areas, you may do so as long as you comply with the rules in BL 9-4—including both the general rules and the rules specific to the weight class of your drone. Recreational flying is not permitted within urban areas.

Senest opdateret 03-06-2025