RC tracks, model airfields and boat waters in Iceland

In Iceland, model flying is organised under the umbrella of the air sports federation Flugmálafélag Íslands, which represents the country in the FAI. So far, our list includes the Arnarvöllur of the Flugmódelfélag Suðurnesja in Reykjanesbær: two asphalt and two grass runways and a pond for float flying, only about 15 minutes from Keflavík Airport – in August 2026 the field celebrated its 20th anniversary. Important for travellers: through the EEA, Iceland applies the EU drone rules, but prohibits drone flights at many natural attractions such as Geysir and Gullfoss.

Where can you drive RC cars in Iceland?

We have not yet found an RC track in Iceland with current evidence on the club’s own website.

Where can you fly model aircraft in Iceland?

1 club airfield with field details, limits and guest rules.

Club	Location	Region	Models
Flugmódelfélag Suðurnesja	Reykjanesbær	Southern Peninsula

Where can you sail model boats in Iceland?

We have not yet found a model boat water in Iceland with current evidence on the club’s own website.

What are the rules in Iceland?

These associations are responsible in Iceland:

• Flugmálafélag Íslands (FMÍ) – Icelandic Aviation Association: Founded in 1936, Flugmálafélag Íslands is, according to its statutes, the federation of aviation enthusiasts‘ clubs in Iceland and Iceland’s member of the FAI; the statutes explicitly list model flying among the disciplines of its member clubs, which include the model flying club Þytur. The association works on flight safety and holds the annual air show at Reykjavík Airport and the aviation festival in Hella.

The key points from the law and official pages (retrieved 11/10/2026):

• Iceland applies the EU drone rules – Regulations (EU) 2019/945 and 2019/947, incorporated via the EEA Agreement – through national Regulation No. 1360/2024 on the operation of unmanned aircraft, in force since 30 November 2024. The competent authority is the Icelandic Transport Authority (Samgöngustofa) (Ísland.is – Reglugerð nr. 1360/2024 um starfrækslu ómannaðra loftfara og ómönnuð loftfarskerfi).
• If you live in Iceland, you register as a drone operator with the Icelandic Transport Authority at flydrone.is – this also applies to drones under 250 g (class C0) unless they have no camera and are toys. Registration costs ISK 5,863 for individuals and ISK 7,462 for legal entities and is valid for 5 years (Ísland.is (Icelandic Transport Authority) – Drone Regulations: Open Category).
• According to the Icelandic Transport Authority, all drone operators in Europe must be registered with the aviation authority of their own country – and in only one European country. If you are registered in Germany, for example, you do not need a second registration for Iceland; Icelandic operators and visitors from outside Europe register via flydrone.is (Ísland.is (Icelandic Transport Authority) – Rules on drones).
• For drones over 250 g you need the A1/A3 proof of competency: you read the study material and pass an online exam on the registration website – free of charge. For A2 there is an additional in-person exam at the Icelandic Transport Authority or an approved organisation (ISK 7,462). Remote pilots must be at least 16; younger children may only fly C0 drones under 250 g in A1, or under the supervision of a registered pilot with A1/A3 privileges (Ísland.is (Icelandic Transport Authority) – Drone Regulations: Open Category).
• In the open category, you fly no higher than 120 m above the nearest point of the earth’s surface. You may only fly higher if you stay within 15 m of an artificial object and have the owner’s approval (Ísland.is (Icelandic Transport Authority) – Drone Regulations: Open Category).
• You must take out and maintain third-party liability insurance if your drone has a take-off mass of more than 20 kg or if you fly in subcategory A2, the specific category or the certified category (Article 4 of Regulation No. 1360/2024) (Ísland.is (Icelandic Transport Authority) – Drone Regulations: Open Category).
• You may only fly within 150 m of sensitive sites – such as power plants, substations, Parliament (Alþingi), the presidential residence, ministries, embassies, police stations, prisons and hospitals – with the permission of the owner or occupier. At airports you need the airport operator’s permission, and your drone must always give way to all other air traffic (Ísland.is (Icelandic Transport Authority) – Rules on drones).
• The Icelandic Transport Authority’s drone map (kort.gis.is/mapview/?app=dronar) shows the areas in Iceland where special restrictions on drone flights apply. If you want to fly near a scheduled-service airport, you apply to the airport operator – Isavia for Keflavík, Innanlandsflugvellir ehf. for the other scheduled airports (Ísland.is (Icelandic Transport Authority) – Drone Map).
• In protected areas (friðlýst svæði), you need a permit from the Nature Conservation Agency (Náttúruverndarstofnun) to fly a drone. At sites such as Geysir, Gullfoss, Dyrhólaey, Skógafoss, Goðafoss, Látrabjarg and the Mývatn–Laxá protection area, drone flights are prohibited – the agency only issues permits there for commercial use; Vatnajökull National Park has its own rules (Náttúruverndarstofnun – Reglur um notkun dróna).
• Breaches of Iceland’s drone Regulation No. 1360/2024 are punishable by fines or imprisonment of up to five years (Article 5 of the regulation in conjunction with Article 253 of the Aviation Act No. 80/2022) (Ísland.is – Reglugerð nr. 1360/2024, 5. gr.).

Frequently asked questions

Can I fly model aircraft in Iceland as a guest?

According to the statutes, only members may use the Arnarvöllur facility in Reykjanesbær; the club invites visitors passing through to get in touch beforehand. Membership is not subject to any requirements.

Do I have to register in Iceland?

Not if you are already registered in your country of residence in Europe: according to the Icelandic Transport Authority (Samgöngustofa), you only register in one European country. Operators resident in Iceland and travellers from countries outside Europe register via flydrone.is.

Do I need insurance in Iceland?

Liability insurance is compulsory if your drone has a take-off mass of more than 20 kg or if you fly in subcategory A2, the specific category or the certified category.

Where am I not allowed to fly in Iceland?

At places such as Geysir, Gullfoss, Dyrhólaey, Skógafoss, Goðafoss and Látrabjarg, flying drones is prohibited; in other protected areas you need a permit from the nature conservation authority. You may only fly closer than 150 m to sensitive facilities with permission; the restrictions are shown on the Samgöngustofa drone map.

How high may I fly in Iceland?

In the open category, no higher than 120 m above the closest point of the earth’s surface; higher only within 15 m of an artificial object and with the owner’s consent.