Drone violations in the Czech Republic continue to rise in 2025

The number of drone violations in the Czech Republic rose significantly again last year. The Civil Aviation Authority most frequently recorded illegal flights in the vicinity of Prague Airport and Prague Castle.

The Czech Civil Aviation Authority (Úřad pro civilní letectví, ÚCL) registered significantly more reports related to drone operations last year than in the previous year. A total of 572 reports were received. Violations occurred particularly often in the area around Václav Havel Airport and around Prague Castle.

In 2025, the ÚCL recorded a total of 572 drone-related reports. According to the Czech news channel ČT24, 342 complaints concerning administrative offences were filed by the police, while in 175 cases the perpetrator remained unknown. By comparison, there were a total of 338 reports in 2024, including 225 police complaints, almost half of them – 110 cases – against unknown perpetrators. “In some cases, proceedings are discontinued, especially if the violation was committed by an unknown person,” explained ÚCL spokeswoman Jitka Ungerová.

In 31 concluded proceedings in 2025, the authority imposed fines of 10,000 crowns each. These also included cases relating to violations from the previous three years. In the year before, fines of the same amount were imposed in 24 cases.

Foto: DroneMap

No-fly zones for drones in the Czech Republic

Most frequently, drone pilots again violated regulations last year in the area of Prague Ruzyně Airport and in the vicinity of Prague Castle. A similar picture was seen the year before. Around Václav Havel Airport Prague and in the restricted area LKP1 Prague Castle, drone operations are permitted only with the consent of the area administrator and on the basis of an authorisation issued by the ÚCL.

Many violations are based on a lack of knowledge or disregard of the applicable regulations. Last year, the Czech aviation authority tightened the rules for drone pilots. New no-fly zones are intended primarily to protect sensitive infrastructure – including railway control centres, Prague Castle and possibly also dams.

Drones are generally not permitted to fly without authorisation over residential areas, near military facilities, during rescue operations or over motorways. Operators must also comply with safety limits such as the maximum flight altitude. Violations can result in fines of up to 150,000 crowns as well as the confiscation of the devices. For safe operation, drone pilots must publish their flight plans on the digital DroneMap platform.