Arrested and banned from Schengen for flying a drone in Norway

What happened?

In December 2025, my family and I traveled to Oslo, Norway, for what was meant to be our first relaxing holiday abroad together. Unfortunately, it turned into a nightmare - one that ended with my arrest, detention, a 16,000 NOK fine, the confiscation of my drone, and an eventual ban from the Schengen Area.

While visiting the harbor near Akershus Fortress on the second day of our travels, I flew my DJI mini 3 drone (< 249g) for about five minutes to capture some photos and videos. At the time, there were no visible signs indicating that drone flights were prohibited in the area. My drone controller also gave no warnings and did not prevent takeoff, which it normally does in restricted zones.

Within ten minutes, police officers arrived. It quickly became clear that this was their first time handling a drone-related case. They made several phone calls and requested identification from me and my family. After some discussion with someone on the phone, they decided that I should be detained and taken to Oslo Grønland Police Station. I was given no explanation of what would happen next. My belongings were seized, and I was placed in a police van.

At the police station, I was handed documents stating that I was under arrest. I was required to hand over my wallet and passport. The police already had my bag, which contained two of my cameras, DJI drone, valuables and phone.

I was given paperwork explaining my rights as an arrested person in Norway and then placed in a holding cell. The cell was painted yellow and grey, with a bright overhead light that made the room feel strangely sunny and there was a rectangular window by the ceiling with a clock. Officers regularly checked on me through a small window in the steel door.

I was detained for over nine hours without any way to contact my family. My request to speak with my country’s embassy was denied. During this time, I was not given any food.

Eventually, I was interviewed by a detective with the help of an interpreter. I cooperated fully, answered truthfully, explained that it was an honest mistake, and apologised. During the interview, the detective showed me a map indicating restricted flight zones. She admitted that determining whether I had actually flown over the restricted red zone required a specialist. According to the map, I had launched the drone from a green-marked area. I also mentioned when asked that I had an Operator and Flyer license.

After the interview, I was placed back in the cell for another hour. I was then taken to have my photograph taken, along with measurements and fingerprints.

Late that night, I was released - without my phone or cameras, including equipment unrelated to the drone. I was not told exactly where I was, and without a phone or map, I had to find my own way back to our rented apartment. I was told that I needed to be back at the police station in 3 days and if not I would be placed in a worst cell.

Fortunately, I managed to approach a stranger and asked her for directions to the Oslo Opera House, a landmark I recognised and knew how to navigate from. Eventually, I made it back to the apartment, where my family opened the door with immense relief.

I respected Norwegian laws; however, I believe I should have been released with equipment unrelated to the drone - especially my phone, which I needed simply to find my way back.

Three days later, on the final day of my family’s trip - we had flights booked to return home together at 23:50 - I returned to the police station in the morning, arriving thirty minutes early. I was informed of the final verdict: a fine of 16,000 NOK, which I accepted.

The officer then spoke with their supervisor, and this was followed by further bad news. I was told that I would be deported from Norway and that I would be considered for a ban from the Schengen Area for an unspecified number of years.

I was detained once again and went through the same process, returning to the yellow and grey holding cell. About an hour later, immigration police arrived and, through an interpreter, explained that they were consulting with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to determine whether a Schengen ban would also be imposed. I was informed that I would be transferred to the Trandum detention centre near Oslo’s main airport to await deportation - despite already having a return flight booked that night.

After seven hours, two officers transferred me to the detention centre in a large van, a journey of around forty-five minutes. Upon arrival, I went through similar procedures: photographs were taken, my belongings were checked and secured, and I was escorted through the facility by several officers before being shown to my room.

I repeatedly asked when I would be returned to London and was told it would likely be the following day, around 3 p.m. As a result, I spent one night in the detention centre.

The room resembled student accommodation in London, complete with an en-suite bathroom and I was given sheets to make my bed. From my window, I could see the courtyard and watch planes taking off and landing every thirty minutes, as the centre is located close to the airport.

At first, I felt uneasy. There were several people gathered in the shared kitchen and games area - people I had never met, all in similar situations, waiting to be deported to their respective countries. However, after speaking with a few of them, I found everyone to be friendly and welcoming. I even played a few games of table tennis. Some shared their stories: one person had been detained for over a month due to not having a passport, despite having lived in Norway for more than twenty years; another had been caught with a fake passport while attempting to transit to London.

Because I arrived late in the evening, I missed dinner - the only hot meal served. Breakfast and lunch were self-served, consisting of bread, fruit, and spreads in the shared kitchen. My personal favourite quickly became the hot drinks machine, especially the cocoa, along with a brown cheese biscuit.

As it was my first night, I struggled to fall asleep, but eventually managed to get some rest. The next morning, I went to the shared area to play a game of FIFA when I was called in for a meeting. Through an interpreter, I was informed of the final decision regarding my status in the Schengen Area: I was banned for two years, effective from the day I left Norway.

Not long after, two officers escorted me to the airport. I went through additional checks, and a female officer accompanied me through security and passport control, allowing us to skip the queues. We arrived at the gate early, and I was given about twenty minutes to walk around and buy last-minute souvenirs. At this point, my phone was returned to me, though the officer retained my passport.

When it was time to board, I was escorted onto the plane first and shown to my seat. The officer handed my passport, sealed in an envelope, to the captain and informed me that it would be returned upon landing in London.

I finally made it home and got my passport back.

I did also make a point that Oslo should flag no drones anywhere in the city in the airport's border control to prevent people from flying in the first place. It is super unclear. Looking at their official sources: https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/2007-10-16-1152 - it even indicates the green part of the map where I flew was fine - however, they said since I took photos of the red part - it still counted as a violated the no fly zone.

What was meant to be a simple holiday moment turned into a harsh lesson - one with lasting consequences.