The Czech Civil Aviation Authority is tightening the rules for drone operators. New no-fly zones are being introduced primarily to protect sensitive infrastructure – including railway control centres, Prague Castle and possibly also dams.
In the Czech Republic, further areas are being designated where the use of drones will be prohibited. The Civil Aviation Authority (ÚCL) has presented a draft for new no-fly zones above the railway administration’s control centres. According to news channel ČT24, the ban is expected to come into force in about two months. In addition, the authority is considering extending the existing drone ban over Prague Castle – a hotspot for illegal flights.
Specifically, the ÚCL intends to prohibit drone flights over the central railway administration control centres in Prague-Libeň and Přerov. The restricted zone LKP1 above Prague Castle may also be expanded. The Ministry of Defence is pushing for an extension to the north, while the Ministry of the Interior and the police favour an expansion eastwards. According to the ÚCL, violations around the castle are among the most frequent drone offences in the country. A drone ban over important dams is also under discussion.
Number of Drone Violations in the Czech Republic Rising Rapidly
The number of drone-related incidents is increasing significantly. Between January and July this year, the ÚCL recorded 221 reports passed on by the police – almost three times as many as in the same period last year. In the whole of 2024, the total was 334.
The most common breaches occur in the no-fly zones over Prague Castle and Václav Havel Airport. While the castle is mainly affected by foreign drone operators, the airport sees more incidents involving locals. Many cases, however, remain unresolved, as drones are often detected late via technical systems.
As a rule, drones are not permitted to fly without authorisation over residential areas, near military facilities, rescue operations or motorways. Operators must also observe safety limits such as the maximum flight altitude. Breaches can result in fines of up to 150,000 Czech crowns as well as confiscation of the equipment.
For safer operation, drone pilots will in future be required to publish their flight plans in the new digital map DroneMap, which will replace the current DroneView service and is intended to provide a much clearer overview of permitted zones.
At present, almost 82,000 drone operators are registered in the Czech Republic. Depending on the class of drone, individual pilot registration and specific training are also mandatory.
