Drone in the Tatra Mountains - can you fly a drone in the mountains?
Tatra Mountains are one of the most beautiful regions in Poland. Every year, the Tatra National Park and the entire Podhale region attracts thousands of tourists - including aviation enthusiasts drone shots. Majestic peaks, picturesque valleys and crystal-clear lakes can impress, but before taking a flight, you need to pay attention to the regulations, which include quite a few restrictions. How drone flights in the Tatra Mountains look like in terms of legal and practical aspects?
Drone in the Tatra Mountains - basic information
Before flying in the Tatra region, it is important to first of all take into account the general drone regulations. Any pilot of a drone weighing more than 250 g or equipped with a camera is required to drone registration and undergo basic training. You also need to know that flights are divided into three categories - open, special and certified (A, S, C, respectively). In the case of the open category, passing the free EASA theory test is sufficient, but other categories already involve much more paperwork (e.g., SORA risk assessment, applications for permission to operate). Detailed regulations, guidelines and explanations can be found on civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website.
The Tatras and the drone. Sizable restrictions for pilots
Tatra National Park (TPN) is one of the most strictly protected areas in Poland. The purpose of the restrictive regulations is to protect the natural landscape and minimize disturbance to wildlife, animals and tourists. The regulations address a number of issues - including the use of flying devices, which include drones. An analysis of the regulations can unfortunately be quite disappointing for drone pilots: as a rule, there is a full ban on the use of flying devices on the territory of the TPN.
According to the Law on Nature Protection and the decree of the Director of TPN the ban applies to the entire area of the park. Applies to both recreational and commercial flights. Any attempt to fly in the park is therefore a violation, which can carry a a fine or even imprisonment.
However, there are some exceptions, which in any case require a permit from TPN. They concern m.in. scientific research (e.g., fauna monitoring, spatial analysis) and professional photography. Permits for photographers open a certain gateway for drone pilots interested in flying over the Tatra Mountains. However, this comes with several important requirements:
- submission of a detailed application, including dates, locations and recording methods;
- payment of a fee for access to the park, as in the case of "standard" photos and recordings - according to the order of the Director of TPN, the basic fee is 15 thousand. pLN, but can be determined individually depending on the scope and type of project;
- approval of operational plans - especially during periods of increased tourist traffic, when drone operations need to be tailored with the comfort of animals and tourists in mind.
Latest changes in PAŻP regulations
It is worth noting that at the end of April 2025. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PAŻP) has updated guidelines for parks. The biggest changes are in the scope of restricted zones. However, in the case of TPN, there is still a total ban on flights within the national park. Instead, those doing professional photography and professional filming flights can look forward to a potential facilitation. This is primarily due to the division of the drone map of the park into two zones - DRA-RL and DRA-RH. The former implies a lower probability of approval, while the latter implies a higher probability of approval. This allows you to better prepare for the flight, taking into account only the DRA-RH areas.
What are the consequences for breaking TPN regulations?
Tatra National Park consistently enforces fines for drone flight violations. Under Polish law, fines for unauthorized flight can be up to 15 thousand. pLN. In particularly dangerous cases or with repeated violations of the law, pilots may also face imprisonment of up to 5 years. Moreover, if the park guard or police intervene, the drone can be confiscated.
The above consequences are a direct result of Poland's drone flight regulations. To this should also be added nature conservation regulations. Unauthorized drone flight involves potential environmental damage, which for drone pilots can in turn mean the burden of costs of restoring the area to its previous state.
Drone in the Tatras - and under the Tatras. What are the rules in zones outside TPN?
As the regulations of the Tatra National Park indicate, the possibilities for drone flights are severely limited. Hobby flights are practically excluded - only those doing scientific projects or professional photography or filming assignments can count on a permit. However, in the case of photos and recordings, this involves a a rather high fee for access to the park.
It is worth noting, however, that despite the fact that the entire Tatra Mountains are under strict protection due to the coverage of the TPN, the surroundings of the highest Polish mountains also offer many interesting places to fly. The lower parts of the Podhale region are not subject to special regulations, which means that in the vicinity of towns such as Ząb, Poronin or Bukowina Tatrzańska, flights take place under standard rules. Interestingly, it is possible to fly a drone even in Zakopane - of course, here you have to be careful about regulations on invasion of privacy and flying near buildings. In addition, in the immediate vicinity of the Zakopane County Hospital, the following apply flight altitude restrictions resulting from the presence of a launch site for HEMS rescue helicopters. Additional regulations on flight altitude and registration also apply in and around Nowy Targ, which in turn is related to air traffic at the airport of the Nowy Targ Aero Club.
Up-to-date information on permitted zones, as well as detailed maps, can be found on the DroneMap service on the PAŻP website (Pansa) or on the DroneTower app.
Polish and EU law in practice
It is worth noting that in Poland not only local laws apply. In addition to this, the following are also important eU drone regulations introduced in 2021 - the so-called U-Space package. In particular, EU regulations set rules for airspace maps, which are available on the PAŻP website, the ULC and the European EAD system. Drone operator is obliged to familiarize himself with the current NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TPR). NOTAMs and TPRs provide information on current airspace activities, such as military exercises or scheduled permission flights.
Most drone apps (e.g., DJI Fly) currently also use zones GEO No Fly Zone. This means that when a pilot tries to start a flight in a forbidden zone, the drone will announce that it is forbidden to fly and require additional authentication.
Drone in the Tatra Mountains - practical tips before flying in the mountains
When planning a drone expedition to the Tatra Mountains - or to other mountain ranges and natural areas - it is important to take into account not only legal restrictions, but also general conservation recommendations. An important issue here is a thorough knowledge of the terrain. In case of lack of coverage, it is worth equipping yourself with offline maps or paper maps of the national park. This makes it easy to determine whether the current location is in a prohibited zone or whether it is a place where flying is allowed.
Crowded trails and animal beds should also be avoided. Maneuvering over people always involves risk, and the sound and movement of a drone can frighten animals. In addition, it is important - especially at higher altitude - to pay attention to weather conditions. Wind, fog or clouds can quickly turn a safe flight into a dangerous situation. However, much here depends on the model of the drone, specifically, its efficiency in high winds.
Moreover, at low temperatures (especially below freezing) the batteries discharge much faster. For this reason, it is a good idea to carry spare batteries or a powerbank with you when you fly. You should also consider the reduction in flight time due to the decrease in battery capacity and adjust your plans accordingly. In national parks and natural areas it is also recommended to turn on all available safety features and test communications before takeoff. In the context of nature, however, special attention should be paid to birds - even a flight at a relatively low altitude can be disturbing for birds. We also emphasize general rules of conservation: don't litter, don't make noise, and don't leave traces of your whereabouts ("Leave No Trace" rule).
Drone in the Tatra Mountains - summary
Flying a drone in the Tatra National Park is not allowed without a special permit. However, obtaining a permit involves sending a detailed application, as well as paying a fee for access to the park. All flight operations in natural areas should also consider the safety of both animals and tourists. Outside TPN, flying is allowed - for example, in the lower parts of the Podhale Mountains, which also offer exceptional scenic qualities. However, we remind you that the basis is always proper preparation and thorough knowledge of local regulations.
