Drone flying in Amsterdam and around Schiphol
What changes on 26 November 2026?
Drone filming in the Schiphol no-fly zone
Anyone who wanted drone footage in Amsterdam or around Schiphol used to hit a wall quickly. A large part of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Haarlemmermeer and the surrounding municipalities lies within the Schiphol CTR: the controlled airspace around the airport, with a radius of roughly 15 kilometres. Every drone flight in that area required prior permission from, and radio contact with, air traffic control. For the Open category, which covers most consumer drones, that meant in practice: no flying. From 26 November 2026 that changes. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) are dividing the CTR of Schiphol, as well as those of Rotterdam The Hague, Lelystad, Groningen Eelde and Maastricht Aachen, into zones. In a large part of the CTR, permission from air traffic control will no longer be required. That makes drone filming in and around Amsterdam a lot easier, but certainly not unrestricted everywhere. Below you can read what changes, what stays the same and what it means for your production.
What changes on 26 November 2026?
The CTR is divided into zones based on distance from the airport and flight altitude. Beyond roughly 5 kilometres from the airport, departing and arriving aircraft are already flying so high that a low-flying drone poses no risk.
• Zone 1 (up to approx. 2 km from the airport, up to 120 m): nothing changes. Open category prohibited, Specific category only with permission from air traffic control.
• Zone 2A (approx. 2 to 5 km, up to 45 m): Specific category without permission from air traffic control. Open category remains prohibited.
• Zone 2B (approx. 2 to 5 km, 45 to 120 m): Specific category with permission, except within 30 metres of buildings and obstacles.
• Zone 3 (from approx. 5 km to the edge of the CTR, up to 120 m): Open and Specific category may fly without permission from air traffic control.
• Zone 4 (above 120 m, across the entire CTR): Specific category only, with permission, except within 30 metres of buildings and obstacles.
A large part of Amsterdam lies more than 5 kilometres from Schiphol and is therefore expected to fall within zone 3. From 26 November the new zones are visible in LVNL's GoDrone app. How to use that map is explained in our guide to the drone map Netherlands.
What stays the same?
The relaxation does not mean Amsterdam suddenly becomes open airspace. A number of rules remain fully in force.
• Other no-fly zones still apply, such as helicopter landing sites at hospitals and critical infrastructure. Where zones overlap, the strictest rule applies.
• Close to Schiphol and along the take-off and landing routes, a flight plan, permission and radio contact with air traffic control remain required.
• The Open category rules still apply: a maximum altitude of 120 metres and keeping distance from people and buildings. Heavier drones, for example, must stay 150 metres away from residential, commercial and recreational areas. In a city like Amsterdam, that still makes many Open category shots impossible.
• In zones without permission, air traffic control provides no traffic information about drones. The pilot must give way to manned aircraft themselves, such as air ambulance and police helicopters.
• Taking off and landing may require permission from the landowner or municipality, and privacy rules also apply from the air.
See also our overview of all no-fly zones in the Netherlands, with a map of the new CTR zones.
What does this mean for drone filming in Amsterdam?
For businesses, estate agents, property developers and event organisers in Amsterdam and the Schiphol region, getting drone footage becomes easier. Flights in zone 3 can be scheduled faster, because no request to air traffic control is needed any more. That saves preparation time and allows shorter turnaround times.
At the same time, most professional filming in the city remains a Specific category flight. As soon as you film close to buildings, people or traffic, or at a location closer to Schiphol, you are dealing with a risk assessment, an operational authorisation and sometimes coordination with air traffic control.
• Real estate videos and aerial photos in Amsterdam, Amstelveen and Haarlemmermeer
• Construction projects and progress footage on business parks around Schiphol
• Corporate videos and brand content with aerial footage of the city
• Events, inspections and FPV filming in urban areas
Planning a production in Amsterdam? Read our guide to filming in Amsterdam, covering permits, the canals and drone rules.
Drone filming inside the Schiphol CTR with Drone Chiefs
Drone Chiefs operates in both the Open and the Specific category and holds its own Operational Authorisation (OA), issued by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). So we fly not only in the new zone 3, but also at locations where permission from air traffic control is still required, such as closer to Schiphol.
We take care of the flight preparation, risk assessment, GoDrone registration and communication with air traffic control. With our DJI Inspire 3, Mavic 4 Pro and FPV drones we deliver cinematic footage, even at complex locations in the city. You don't have to worry about permits or regulations. That is our responsibility.
Recent projects
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Showreel 2025
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Domino Printing Showroom
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Euro Rijn Group // Brandvideo
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Elk Projecten
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Cartor, UK
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Winter Efteling
Frequently asked questions about flying drones around Schiphol and Amsterdam
Can I fly a drone anywhere in Amsterdam from 26 November?
No. Only in zone 3 of the CTR is permission from air traffic control no longer required. Other no-fly zones and the general rules of the Open and Specific category still apply. Always check in GoDrone beforehand which zone your location falls in.
Is Amsterdam within the Schiphol no-fly zone?
A large part of Amsterdam lies within the Schiphol CTR. Until 26 November 2026, every drone flight in the CTR required permission from air traffic control. After that, this only applies in the zones close to the airport and above 120 metres.
Does the relaxation also apply to other airports?
Yes, to the civil CTRs of Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague, Lelystad, Groningen Eelde and Maastricht Aachen. Nothing changes for military airfields such as Eindhoven, Volkel and Gilze-Rijen.
Can you also film right next to Schiphol?
Yes. With our Specific authorisation we also fly in zones where permission from air traffic control is required. We arrange the registration, the flight plan and the contact with air traffic control. Do allow for extra preparation time.
Contact us for a free quote
Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation quote for drone filming, FPV videos or video productions.
Include the location of the project with your request. That way we can immediately check which flight zone the location falls in and whether any additional permits or flight preparations are needed. Based on that, we can give you a targeted price indication. Productions start from €750.
It also helps if you briefly describe what kind of project it is and whether you only need drone footage or a complete video production including editing. Think of corporate videos, commercials, FPV footage or social media content.
That way we can quickly think along with you and prepare a quote that fits your wishes and production.
