Application to Fly in Restricted Areas

Important Information Before Applying

Ensure that your application concerns a restricted area. A restricted area begins with the letters ESR followed by 1–3 digits and a geographical name, for example, ESR99 Tidaholm. Control zones (CTR) around airports and geographical UAS zones are not considered restricted areas.

In many restricted areas, air traffic control grants permission. LFV's map service, Drönarkartan (Drone Chart), indicates where and how to apply for permission in each area.

When assessing an application to fly in a restricted area, the Swedish Transport Agency evaluates whether the flight serves a public interest. The legal basis for this assessment is found in:

• the Aviation Act (2010:500),
• the Aviation Ordinance (2010:770),
• the Regulation (2005:801) on restrictions for aviation within certain areas.

Permission is primarily granted for activities that serve a public interest, such as:

• Inspection and inventory of infrastructure (power lines, road networks, railways, etc.),
• Traffic monitoring,
• Construction work.

The Swedish Transport Agency may grant exemptions from restrictions or permission to fly if there are special reasons.

Permission is generally not granted for the following purposes:

• Recreational flights by private individuals,
• Commercial purposes, such as photography for sale.

Processing Times

The processing time for an application to fly in restricted areas is up to five weeks.

Flying in National Parks

If take-off and landing are to occur within a national park that also contains a restricted area, a separate application must be submitted to the County Administrative Board for take-off and landing. Examples of such areas and national parks include ESR47 Sarek and ESR53 Stora Sjöfallet.

More information is available on the County Administrative Board’s website.

Flying Drones in Restricted Areas

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft does not regulate the operation or use of unmanned aircraft in restricted areas. Under national regulations, unmanned aircraft may not be operated in restricted areas without permission.

Application Fee

The Swedish Transport Agency charges a fee for processing applications for flight permits in restricted areas. The fee is regulated in Chapter 17, Section 11 of the Swedish Transport Agency’s Regulations on Fees (TSFS 2024:78).

The fee is charged regardless of the outcome of the decision.

Applying for Permission to Fly in a Restricted Area

Fill in the designated form (a link is available on this page) and submit it in PDF format according to the instructions in the form.

Contact

Swedish Transport Agency

Maritime and Aviation Department

SE-601 73 Norrköping

Phone: +46 771-503 503

Email: asm@transportstyrelsen.se