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Drone Rules Guide
Germany

Drone Insurance Germany: Mandatory Cover, Costs and Options

Last checked 30 October 2026 against Federal Aviation Office (LBA).

In Germany every drone owner must have liability insurance, whatever the drone weighs. Here is what the law requires, when your private liability insurance is enough, what model flying associations include and what a drone policy costs.

Is drone insurance mandatory in Germany?

Yes. Under section 43(2) of the Aviation Act (LuftVG), the keeper of an aircraft, which includes a drone, must have liability insurance for damage to third parties. The duty applies to every drone, whatever its weight. Flying without it is an administrative offence.

The keeper is usually the person who bought the drone and decides how it is used. If you fly someone else's drone, you should have liability cover too.

Minimum cover

The law sets the minimum sum insured by the take-off mass. For drones and other aircraft under 500 kg it is 750,000 special drawing rights, a currency unit of the International Monetary Fund. Stiftung Warentest recommends at least €10 million in its test of private liability insurance.

Proof of insurance

Your insurer must give you a free insurance confirmation under section 106 of the Aviation Licensing Regulations (LuftVZO). It confirms that you have liability cover and that it meets the minimum. Carry it whenever you fly, as the authorities can ask to see it.

You also need the insurer's name and your policy number when you register as an operator with the LBA.

Is private liability insurance enough?

Often it is, and according to Stiftung Warentest it is frequently the cheapest way to insure a drone. But policies differ a lot:

  • Weight: most private liability policies only cover drones up to 2.5 kg, according to Stiftung Warentest. Some only cover drones up to 250 g.
  • Type: some policies still only cover model aircraft without a motor.
  • Who flies: a standard private liability policy usually only covers members of your family, not friends who borrow the drone.
  • Use: private liability policies cover leisure flying, not commercial work.

The Verbraucherzentrale advises asking your insurer to confirm in writing whether and how your drone is covered. If it is not, ask what an extension costs.

Separate drone liability insurance

Dedicated drone liability policies often cover heavier drones, other pilots flying your drone, and small-scale commercial use, such as earning a little extra with drone photos, according to Stiftung Warentest. If you fly drones for a living, you need more extensive business cover.

Specialist insurers such as Coverdrone sell policies by the day, month or year, for leisure or commercial use. Some private liability providers, such as Barmenia Gothaer, include drones up to 5 kg in their standard tariffs (250 g in the budget tariff).

Insurance through a model flying association

The German model flying associations include liability insurance in most memberships:

  • DMFV: cover of €2 million to €12 million depending on the tier, from €42 a year for adults in 2026 (Basis). The Basis tier covers Germany up to 1 kg outside model airfields, and the higher tiers worldwide.
  • MFSD: the VIPER (€49 a year, €4 million) and MAVERICK (€59 a year, €12 million) tiers include model flying liability insurance, and also cover side-business use of model aircraft and drones.

The associations' pages mostly speak of model aircraft, so check the terms to make sure your drone and your type of flying are covered. Commercial film and photo flights are not covered by the DMFV memberships.

Drone Kasko: cover for your own drone

Liability insurance pays for damage you cause to others, not for your own drone. Damage to the drone and its loss are usually not covered. Kasko insurance for crashes, theft and fly-aways is voluntary, and Stiftung Warentest found policies from €24 a year.

Drone insurance costs

  • Through your private liability insurance: often no extra cost, if your tariff includes drones.
  • Separate drone liability insurance: Stiftung Warentest found very good offers for less than €50 a year.
  • Coverdrone, example for leisure use with €1.3 million liability: €20.68 a year. For commercial use: €143.40 a year.
  • Kasko: from €24 a year according to Stiftung Warentest.

Prices depend on the drone, its use and the cover, so compare several offers.

What to check before you buy

  • Weight limit: does the policy cover your drone's take-off mass?
  • Sum insured: at least the legal minimum, and preferably €10 million or more.
  • Pilots: may friends and family fly your drone?
  • Use: leisure only, or also paid work?
  • Area: Germany only, Europe or worldwide, if you travel with the drone.
  • Proof: will you get the insurance confirmation under section 106 LuftVZO?

Frequently asked questions

Is drone insurance mandatory in Germany?

Yes. Every drone keeper must have liability insurance under section 43 LuftVG, whatever the weight of the drone.

Is my private liability insurance enough for my drone?

Often, but not always. Many policies only cover drones up to 2.5 kg, some only up to 250 g. Ask your insurer to confirm in writing.

How much does drone insurance cost?

Often nothing extra through private liability insurance. Separate drone liability policies are available for less than €50 a year, and Kasko from €24 a year.

Do I have to carry proof of insurance?

Yes. Carry the insurance confirmation from your insurer whenever you fly. The authorities can ask to see it.

Do I need Kasko insurance for my drone?

No, it is voluntary. It pays for damage to or loss of your own drone, which liability insurance does not cover.

Sources

Back to Drone Laws Germany 2026: Registration, Licence and Insurance

This page summarises the official rules and is checked regularly, but it is not legal advice. Always check the authority’s own pages before you fly.