Quietly, Precisely, and with
Typical Swiss Pragmatism
Switzerland is quickly becoming Europe's most exciting testbed for drones. If your drone tech is ready for real-world deployment, you'll need more than just flight clearance. You'll need regulatory clarity, cross-border compatibility, and legal confidence. That's where Allegra LAW comes in.
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We help drone innovators, tech companies, public sector partners, and defense suppliers navigate the Swiss and EU drone legal landscape – from compliance and certification to contracts, risk management, and government partnerships. Our work is as precise as your hardware – and just as mission-critical.
Why Switzerland Is Taking Off
Switzerland has earned its place as a global drone hotspot – not through noise, but through results. It's a place where regulators don't just say "maybe," they say "show us how." With modern regulation, a collaborative culture, and world-class testing infrastructure, Switzerland is built for unmanned flight.
Regulatory Alignment
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As of 2023, Switzerland applies the EU's risk-based drone categories: Open, Specific, and Certified. That means smoother access across borders, and a shared legal language with Europe's biggest markets.
Innovation Ecosystem
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From Zurich to Lausanne, startups, universities, and public labs are pushing drone innovation in logistics, agriculture, surveillance, mapping, and autonomous flight.
Government Support
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Swiss authorities work closely with industry – from urban drone delivery pilots to military-grade UAV testing. U-Space integration, BVLOS permits, and prototype exemptions are already in place.
Defense Momentum
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The Swiss Armed Forces are investing heavily in reconnaissance and tactical drones – and opening doors to local suppliers, dual-use developers, and drone tech contractors.
In short: Switzerland is serious about drones – civil, commercial, and military. But it's just as serious about how those drones are integrated legally, safely, and responsibly.
What the Law Actually Says
Switzerland's drone laws are modern, clear – and demanding. The system is built around safety, accountability, and shared airspace. It also opens the door for advanced use cases that many other jurisdictions still block.​
A few highlights:
Registration & Licensing
Most drone operators must register and pass a competency exam – including for recreational use over 250g. Certificates are issued via FOCA's online platform and recognized across the EU.
Data & Privacy
Any drone with cameras or sensors must comply with Swiss data protection rules. That includes transparency, retention limits, and flight planning to avoid unlawful capture.
Categories of Operation
Open
Low-risk flights under 120m, visual line of sight, no special permissions needed.
Specific
Higher-risk use cases like BVLOS, urban areas, or large drones – requires a risk assessment (SORA) and FOCA authorization.
Certified
Drone operations on par with manned aviation – typically defense or heavy commercial use.
Airspace & U-Space
Controlled airspace, geo-fencing, and traffic integration are real and rolling out across the country. U-Space allows for managed, layered access to low-altitude zones.
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If your business depends on airspace, autonomy, or high-performance drone fleets – you'll need to engage with all of this. And probably more.
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How Allegra LAW Helps you Navigate it
Drone regulation in Switzerland is built to encourage innovation – but you still need to play by the rules. Allegra.law helps clients across sectors launch, scale, and operate drones in a legally sound and future-proof way.
Regulatory & Compliance Advisory
We decode drone regulation – EU and Swiss – so you can focus on operations. That includes helping you:
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Classify your drones and operations correctly
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Register operators and obtain pilot licenses
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Navigate Open vs. Specific vs. Certified categories
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Handle privacy, surveillance, and data collection risks
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Structure legally sound use cases (e.g. for BVLOS, swarms, urban flights)
SORA & Authorizations
Complex flights require detailed documentation – including risk assessments and contingency planning. We support you in:
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Preparing FOCA-ready SORA applications
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Drafting and submitting operational concepts
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Communicating with FOCA and local aviation authorities
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Troubleshooting red flags (proximity to urban zones, infrastructure, sensitive terrain)
We aim for approvals – not just paperwork.
Regulatory & Compliance Advisory
From drone fleet operators to software vendors, robust contracts are essential to manage liability, IP, and data flows. We draft and review:
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Service contracts for drone-based operations
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IP licensing and software agreements
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Pilot NDAs, subcontractor terms, joint ventures
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Liability and insurance provisions for incidents or tech failure
We also advise on structuring drone-as-a-service (DaaS) models and usage-based licensing – especially relevant in logistics, surveillance, and inspection services.
SORA & Authorizations
The future of drones will be co-created by industry and the state. We support companies in:
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Structuring public-private pilots (e.g. fire departments, infrastructure monitoring, postal delivery)
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Bidding for public procurement or R&D grants
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Collaborating with the Swiss Armed Forces on drone development, testing, and integration
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Managing export control, dual-use compliance, and foreign collaboration
We speak both startup and government – and help bridge the trust gap.
Who We Work With
Allegra LAW works with organizations at every altitude of the drone economy:
Startups
mapping, AI, autonomy, platform builders
Corporates
insurers, logistics, agtech, real estate, inspection
Public Sector
cities, cantons, federal agencies
Defense & Security
UAV manufacturers, integrators, contractors
Whether you're developing next-gen tactical drones or automating fire monitoring in alpine terrain – we understand the operational, technical, and legal landscape. We know the airspace, and we know the paperwork.
Why Allegra LAW
We're not a legacy aviation firm retrofitting our services to drones. We're a tech-savvy law firm that's been working in unmanned systems, regulation, and digital transformation from the start. We combine:
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We keep you compliant. We keep you competitive. And we make sure your drone strategy won't stall because of regulation.
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Deep Technical Knowledge
Deep legal knowledge of drone, aviation, and data laws
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Practical Experience
Practical experience with FOCA, EU rules, and cross-border challenges
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Startup-Friendly Mindset
A startup-friendly mindset: clear, responsive, and cost-efficient
Ready to Fly? Let's Talk
The Swiss drone market is ready – and moving fast. Whether you're deploying your first unit, scaling operations, or bidding for a government contract, the legal path is just as important as the flight path.
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Allegra.law is your legal co-pilot. We help you chart a smart, compliant, and ambitious course in Swiss airspace – so your drone program can take off, scale up, and stay airborne.​
​Reach out today. Let's Fly