Minimal fly altitudes SERA
(Standardised European Rules of the Air)

over cities, other densely populated areas and outdoor gatherings of people:
300 m (1000 ft) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 m

All other cases:
150 m (500 ft) above ground or 150 m (500 ft) above the highest obstacle within a circle of 150 m (500 ft) radius around the aircraft.

General airspace information:
(A)MSL - (Above) Mean Sea Level
lower airspace - under FL245
upper airspace - over FL245

Luftraum A (alpha): Controlled airspace

VFR traffic NOT allowed

IFR traffic allowed
IFR clearance required
IFR-Traffic will be staggered

Luftraum B (bravo): Controlled airspace

VFR traffic allowed
VFR clearance required

IFR traffic allowed
IFR clearance required
IFR-Traffic will be staggered

Luftraum C (bravo): Controlled airspace

VFR traffic allowed
VFR receives traffic informations about other VFR
VFR clearance required

IFR traffic allowed
IFR clearance required
IFR is staggered to other IFR

Germany: Normally all airspace above FL100. Near commercial airports also below FL100, but above the respective aerodrome control zone. for VFR flights, CVFR (controlled visual flight rules) obligation applies. Minima for VFR flights: distance from clouds vertically 1000 ft, horizontally 1.5 km, flight visibility 5 km (above FL100 8 km)

Luftraum D (bravo): Controlled airspace

VFR traffic allowed
VFR clearance required
VFR receives Info about ALL traffic

IFR traffic allowed
IFR clearance required
IFR staggered to other IFR and receives info about VFR

Germany: As a control zone (D-CTR) itself or above the control zones of commercial aerodromes as a substitute for C without CVFR obligation in visual flight. Minima for VFR flights: distance from clouds vertically 1000 ft, horizontally 1.5 km, flight visibility 5 km. In control zones (D-CTR), a ground visibility of 5 km also applies in Germany (until 5 December 2014, no minimum distance from clouds was also required in D-CTR, but in the meantime the same minimum distances apply there as in D non-CTR)

Radio Mandatory Zones (RMZ) and
Controlled traffic region (CTR)
Uncontrolled airspaces

VFR traffic allowed

IFR traffic allowed

RMZ and CTR: From Ground to 1000 ft. All aircraft are required to be in radio communication and on radio standby. Registration with the responsible ground radio station with details of aircraft type, location, flight altitude and flight intentions is required. There is no traffic control (exception: emergency response) and staggering, but traffic information is provided.

CTR: Notification of entry into and out of airspace required

RMZ: No clearance required for entry, but for exit

Luftraum E (bravo): Controlled airspace

VFR traffic allowed
VFR clearance NOT required

IFR traffic allowed
IFR clearance required

IFR will be staggered to other IFR. Traffic information on VFR traffic shall be given to all air traffic if possible.

Germany: basically from 2500 ft above ground, around control zones lowered to 1700 ft and/or 1000 ft above ground, maximum speed 250 kt below FL 100. Minima for VFR flights: distance from clouds vertically 1000 ft, horizontally 1.5 km, flight visibility 5 km up to FL 100, flight visibility 8 km above FL 100.

Luftraum G (bravo): Uncontrolled airspace

VFR traffic allowed
VFR clearance NOT required

IFR traffic allowed
IFR clearance NOT required

IFR will be staggered to other IFR. Traffic information on VFR traffic shall be given to all air traffic if possible.

In Germany, IFR traffic only in conjunction with an RMZ.

The upper limit of the airspace is always defined above ground, staggered from 1000 ft above 1700 ft and 2500 ft above ground in increasing distance to a control zone or a Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ). In Switzerland, airspace G generally extends from ground level to 2000 ft AGL, unless otherwise restricted (e.g. by a control zone).

A1) Flight altitude < 3,000 ft AMSL or < 1,000 ft AGL, maximum speed < 140 kt IAS: Flight visibility 1.5 km, for rotorcraft, airships and balloons 800 m, do not touch clouds (no minimum distance required), earth visibility required.

A2) Flight altitude < 3,000 ft AMSL or < 1,000 ft AGL, maximum speed > 140 kt IAS: Flight visibility 5 km, do not touch clouds (no minimum separation required), earth visibility required.

B) Flight altitude > 3,000 ft AMSL or > 1,000 ft AGL: Flight visibility 5 km, distance from clouds vertically 1000 ft, horizontally 1.5 km.