Updated August 21, 2025
Federal Office of Civil Aviation
The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) is Switzerland's civil aviation authority under the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. FOCA regulates unmanned aircraft systems, implementing European Union drone regulations with Swiss national adaptations.
Regulator Overview
Basic information about Federal Office of Civil Aviation
Full Name
Federal Office of Civil Aviation
Jurisdiction
CH
Alternative Names
FOCA, BAZL, Swiss Aviation Office, Switzerland FOCA
Notable Facts
Important information about drone regulations
Alpine operations require special consideration for mountain weather
Operator registration valid throughout EU/EASA member states
Insurance mandatory with minimum coverage of 1 million CHF
Night operations allowed with appropriate lighting and authorization
Cross-border operations with EU countries facilitated by regulatory alignment
Environmental protection zones around national parks require special permits
Unit Systems
Measurement units used in this regulator's jurisdiction
Weight
grams
Distance
meters
Altitude
meters
Speed
km/h
Regulations
Current regulations and frameworks for drone operations
| Title | Effective Date |
|---|---|
| Aviation Ordinance (VLV) Art. 17a-17gREG-1 | December 31, 2020 |
| Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947REG-2 | December 31, 2020 |
Official Resources
About this regulatory authority
Country
CH
Region
National
Type
National
Updated
8/21/2025
Contact Information
How to reach Federal Office of Civil Aviation
Last updated: 8/21/2025