Germany Aviation Permits
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Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt)
- Website: https://www.lba.de
- Contact: Entry Permissions Dept B1: +49 531 2355 3102/3121-3127 | Fax: +49 531 2355 3197/3198 | info.entrypermission@lba.de | Address: 38144 Braunschweig, Germany
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
Private flights generally exempt from permits. Airport PPR may apply.
Non-EU non-scheduled flights need LBA permit, 5 business days lead time.
EU/EEA carriers: free access. Non-EU: bilateral agreements via LBA (Federal Aviation Authority).
Overflight Permit
- Required: No
- Authority: LBA / DFS (Deutsche Flugsicherung)
- Lead Time: N/A (no permit needed). EASA TCO not required for overflight-only operations.
- Validity: N/A
- Fees: Eurocontrol en-route charges via DFS. Germany unit rate applies per DFS/Eurocontrol schedule.
No overflight permit required for any operation type. EASA TCO authorization is NOT required for operators only overflying German/EU airspace without a planned landing. File ICAO flight plan via Eurocontrol IFPS.
1. File ICAO flight plan via Eurocontrol IFPS 2. No overflight permit or entry permission needed 3. EASA TCO NOT required for overflight-only operations 4. Eurocontrol en-route charges billed automatically via DFS/CRCO 5. Ensure RVSM compliance for FL290+
Landing Permit
- Required: Conditional
- Authority: LBA Division B1 (Entry Permissions)
- Lead Time: 2 full working days (individual flights, Sat/Sun not counted). 4 weeks (chains of 4+ flights in a series). First-time applicants: allow additional time for documentation review.
- Validity: Individual flight: per flight. Chains of flights: per series approval. Reciprocity principle applies (Germany grants permission only if home state reciprocates for German carriers).
- Fees: No published LBA permit processing fee for standard entry permissions. Airport-specific landing, parking, and handling fees. Annual security plan maintenance fee for operators with German security accreditation.
EU/EEA-registered carriers: no entry permission needed — free access under EU Reg 1008/2008. Non-EEA charter carriers: Entry Permission required from LBA before commencing flights. Private non-revenue flights by non-EEA aircraft: no entry permission needed. EASA TCO authorization is mandatory for non-EU commercial operators landing in Germany. Reciprocity principle: LBA grants entry permission only if the carrier's home state grants equivalent access to German carriers.
1. EU/EEA CARRIERS: no entry permission needed, file flight plan 2. NON-EEA CHARTER/COMMERCIAL: a) Download application forms from https://www.lba.de/EN/Operations/EntryPermissions/Tabelle_Formulare_Einflug.html b) Submit completed form plus required documents to info.entrypermission@lba.de c) Individual flights: submit at least 2 full working days before (Sat/Sun excluded) d) Series of 4+ flights: submit at least 4 weeks before first flight e) Required documents: - Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with operations specifications - Third-party liability insurance per EU Reg 785/2004 - Passenger/cargo liability insurance (covering damage to persons, baggage, cargo, delay) - Certificate of Registration for each aircraft - Noise Certificate for each aircraft - EASA TCO authorization (or proof of pending application) - Charter agreement / contract of carriage - Declaration of competency - Operating Permit Questionnaire (LBA form) f) Reciprocity principle applies 3. PRIVATE NON-REVENUE: no entry permission needed 4. SLOTS: coordinated airports include Frankfurt (EDDF), Munich (EDDM), Dusseldorf (EDDL), Berlin (EDDB), Hamburg (EDDH). Slot requests via FLUKO (German slot coordinator) 5. NOISE CURFEWS: Frankfurt banned 2300-0500 LT; Berlin restricted 2200-0600 LT; many regional airports have night bans
Cabotage
No — strictly enforced. Only EU/EEA-licensed carriers may operate domestic flights within Germany. Non-EU operators are prohibited from carrying passengers or cargo between two German domestic points on a commercial basis.
General Remarks
Strict cabotage and reciprocity enforcement. EASA TCO mandatory for non-EU commercial operations. Many German airports have stringent night noise curfews (Frankfurt, Berlin, Dusseldorf). Slot coordination mandatory at all major airports via FLUKO. LBA operates Mon-Fri only — weekend applications not processed.