In Germany, freedom of panorama describes a copyright exception concerning works permanently located on public roads, paths and squares. Section 59 of the German Copyright Act (UrhG) addresses photographing, reproducing and publishing such views.
For buildings, the exception concerns the exterior view. The German exception does not automatically cover viewpoints obtained using aids such as ladders or drones. It is therefore not a general permission for drone filming.
Other countries define their own exceptions. Do not assume that German freedom of panorama applies throughout the German-speaking region or internationally.
Practical example
You photograph the exterior of a permanent building as seen from a public street for a magazine article. In Germany, this is a typical starting point for assessing freedom of panorama under section 59 of the German Copyright Act; the same provision does not extend to the building’s interior in the same way.
What to keep in mind
Check whether the work is permanently located in a public place and which view the photograph shows. The German rule is not a worldwide photography licence; other rights and any additional permissions must be assessed separately.