Germany
Germany's Panoramafreiheit allows commercial use of public works, but only their exterior and only from public ground (no drone or balcony shots).
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Local authority or landowner for commercial shoots; no permit for personal street photography from public ground
Cost: No permit for personal photography; commercial shoots and some sites need permission
Photography from public ground needs no permit. Commercial shoots, tripods or lighting at some sites, and drones need permission.
Drone / airspace
Governed by EU EASA rules administered by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt; most camera drones need operator registration and remote ID
For the EASA category detail, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes to photograph, but publishing a recognizable person's portrait generally needs consent under Section 22 of the KunstUrhG
Exceptions: people who are not recognizable, people incidental to a scene, and public assemblies, parades, and demonstrations.
Freedom of panorama
Full, with limits
Section 59 of the Copyright Act (Panoramafreiheit) permits commercial use of works permanently on public ways, but only their external appearance and only from public ground. A shot from a drone, balcony, or ladder does not qualify.
Practical notes
- A drone or private-window shot does not qualify for Panoramafreiheit; shoot from public ground.
- Temporary installations, like the wrapped Reichstag, are not covered because the work must be permanently in place.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: