Flying a drone (UAV)

When flying a drone, it is important to know about the no-fly-zones of the Swedish Armed Forces. To photograph or film a protected installation area is a crime - make sure that you are aware of the regulations regarding drone flying.

192:a mekaniserade bataljonen uppställda för fotografering och tal av bataljonchefen. Under Northern Wind genomför förbandet krigsförbandsövning.
192:a mekaniserade bataljonen uppställda för fotografering och tal av bataljonchefen. Under Northern Wind genomför förbandet krigsförbandsövning.
The 192nd mechanised battalion photographed by a drone. Photo: Mattias Hellgren/Swedish Armed Forces

Private citizens and companies are allowed to film using a UAV - but not everywhere: The Swedish Civil Aviation Administration’s control zones as well as the Swedish Armed Forces’ protected installation areas are forbidden to film or photograph using a UAV.

The Swedish Armed Forces’ exercises usually implement flight restrictions for UAVs as they may have an adverse effect on the exercise, from an air safety perspective.

Also, areas where the Swedish Armed Forces conduct exercises are often protected installation areas in accordance with the Installations Protection Act (2010:305). It is most often forbidden to make images, descriptions or measurements of such areas. This means that you may be committing a crime if you fly a drone in close proximity to a protected installation area.

It is important, therefore, that if you plan to use a drone, check the provisions that apply to the site before you start flying your drone. Sometimes, sites are declared a protected installation area temporarily, which may happen when the Swedish Armed Forces conduct activities in the area. A person that breeches a no entry-ban, or the ban of reproduction, commits a crime that merits imprisonment in the scale of penalties.

It is also important to be cautious with images and footage from drones. A person that disseminates footage or images of a protected installation area commits an offence, even if it is a mistake. In order to not mistakenly disseminate footage or images containing sensitive information, you need a dissemination permit, which you can apply for at the Swedish Land Survey, free of charge.