4 Regulatory Framework and Aviation Safety

Norway’s regulatory framework for unmanned aviation is designed to ensure operations that are safe, proportionate, and conducive to innovation, while providing legal certainty for industry and authorities alike. Norway adheres closely to international and EU standards, particularly those of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), through the Chicago Convention and the EEA Agreement. While most rules are harmonised across the EU/EEA, Norway maintains national regulations in areas not covered by common European legislation such as civil state drone operations and enforcement protocols.

The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority plays a central role in licensing, oversight, and public safety communication. Drone operators and pilots are subject to registration and certification requirements, which vary by operational category (open, specific and certified).

The government recognizes the need to adapt regulatory frameworks in response to rapid technological advances. Several initiatives are currently underway to address this need. These include the development of a new national regulation specifically for state-operated drone use, and preparations for implementing certified-category operations, including vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The government is also exploring safety standards tailored to drone operators and evaluating new requirements – such as mandatory registration of drones, not just pilots or operators – in an effort to combat non-compliance and enhance overall accountability.

Norwegian authorities actively participate in international standard-setting and regulatory bodies to ensure that national interests are reflected, and work to make drone legislation more accessible, comprehensible, and aligned with real-world operational contexts. The aim is to strengthen legal clarity, support market innovation, ensure national security, and reduce barriers for responsible operators.

The government also seeks to promote a safety culture among drone users, aligning them with the professional norms of traditional aviation.

To ensure that regulation keeps pace with technological advancements and supports safe, responsible drone operations, the government commits to:

• Continuing efforts to make drone regulations more accessible and understandable
• Actively contributing to the development of common European and other international regulations and standards for drones and AAM, while advocating for rules that are well adapted to Norwegian needs and interests
• Evaluating whether there is a need to introduce mandatory registration requirements for drones
• Ensuring that the Civil Aviation Authority continuously assesses the need for national requirements in line with technological developments, within the framework of EEA law
• Promoting a stronger integration of drone operators into Norway’s broader aviation safety culture
• Assessing how to better facilitate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations for industries with specific operational needs