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Drone Laws in France

Summary of Drone Laws in France

Hobbyist Drone Laws For Residents of France

Drone Operations in France are currently regulated.


  • Hobbyist drone flights are allowed in France
  • Hobbyist France drone pilot license is required
  • Hobbyist Drone registration is required in France for hobbyists flying over 250g, or drone with a camera
  • Drone Remote ID is required in France for hobbyists flying drone over 800g
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for hobbyists’ drone operations in France

Read below for more details on Hobbyist Drone Laws in France and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Commercial Drone Laws For Residents of France

Drone Operations in France are currently regulated.


  • Commercial drone flights are allowed in France
  • Commercial France drone pilot license is required
  • Commercial Drone registration is required in France for commercial drone operators
  • Drone Remote ID is required in France for Commercial Drone Operators flying drone over 800g
  • Drone Insurance is required for commercial drone operations in France

Read below for more details on Commercial Drone Laws in France and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Laws For Visitors To France

Drone Operations in France are currently regulated.


  • Foreign visitor drone flights are allowed in France
  • Foreign visitor drone pilot license is required
  • Drone registration is required in France for visitors/tourists (unless previously registered in EASA)
  • Drone Remote ID is required in France for tourists flying drone over 800g
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for tourist drone operations in France

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in France for Visitors (Tourists) and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Laws For Government Drone Operators in France

Drone Operations in France are currently regulated.


  • Government drone flights are allowed in France
  • Government drone pilot license is required
  • Drone registration is required in France for Government operations
  • Drone Remote ID is required in France for Government operations
  • Drone Insurance is not required for Government drone operations in France

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in France for Government Drone Operations and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the French Republic (France)

Drone Regulator in France: French Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA)

EU Nations Drone Regulator and Regulations: European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

For a full explanation of EASA regulations simplified, please read our explainer: The rules for drone flyers in the European Union (Europe Drone Laws Simplified)


UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in France

The French agency responsible for drone safety, FCAA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights of France Drone Rules are outlined below. For more details, go to the links above.

Flying and operating drones in France are subject to European Union Regulation 2019/947. FCAA supervises and implements Drone Rules France.

According to the level of risk involved, this new legal framework will introduce three categories of drone operations: Open, Specific, and Certified.

Are drones allowed in France?

According to FCAA, drones are allowed in France, subject to FCAA and EASA regulations. Read on for details.

Categories of Allowed Drone Flights in France:

Drone flights in France are allowed in three categories defined by the level of risk associated with drone flights or operations. Whether you are a resident of France or a visitor, you must operate within the limitations and follow the rules and procedures of the category in which your drone operation qualifies:

Open Category

Given the low level of risk, neither prior authorization by the competent authority nor a declaration by the drone operator is required. The drone’s total takeoff mass must be less than 25kg and be operated within a visual line of sight at a maximum altitude of 120m.

Specific Category

Considering the moderate level of risk involved, flights in this category require authorization before the operation. The permission is given considering the mitigation measures identified in an operational risk assessment, except in specific standard scenarios where an operator declaration is sufficient.

Certified Category

Given the inherent dangers, certification of the drone and a licensed remote pilot are required. If your drone can carry people, you fall under the Certified category!

The most common rules to know for flying a drone in France:

The ‘open’ category is the main reference for most leisure drone and low-risk commercial activities in European countries.

Subcategories of Open Category Drones

The ‘open’ category is, in turn, subdivided into three sub-categories – A1, A2, A3 — which may be summarised as follows:

  • A1: fly over people but not over assemblies of people
  • A2: fly close to people
  • A3: fly far from people

Each subcategory comes with its own set of requirements. Therefore, in the ‘open’ category, it is important to identify the subcategory of operation your activities will fall under to determine which rules apply to you and the training the remote pilot needs to undertake.

If you comply with the relevant requirements of the subcategories (A1, A2, and A3), no operational authorization is required before starting a flight.

Conditions required to avoid authorization

The following conditions must be met:

  • The drone operator has to be registered.

EU residents: Please register in the EU member state of your main residence (or principal place of business), and contact the Aviation Authority in your member state for further details.

Non-EU residents: Please register in the EU member state where you intend to operate your drone first. If the first drone operation will take place in France, please register as an operator here.

  • All operated drones need sufficient insurance coverage.

Each country might have a different limit. For example, in France, you must ensure the coverage is at least 1m EUR, and your insurance is valid in France.

  • The drone pilot needs proof of competency.

Depending on the subcategory of your drone operation (see table below), you need a certificate for A1/A3 and additionally A2.

  • The drone must always be in a visual line of sight (VLOS).
  • The drone is flown at no more than 120 meters above ground level.
  • The drone must not carry any dangerous goods or drop any material.

Open Category Until December 31, 2023

UAS Maximum WeightOperation SubcategoryOperational RestrictionsDrone Operator RegistrationRemote Pilot CompetenceRemote Pilot Minimum Age
<250 gA1 (fly over people, but not assemblies) – can also fly in Subcategory A3No flight expected over uninvolved people. If it happens, limit your overflight.

No flight over assemblies of people
Not required unless a camera or sensor is on board and the drone is not a toyNo Training requiredNo minimum age
<500 gA1 (fly over people, but not assemblies) – can also fly in Subcategory A3No flight expected over uninvolved people. If it happens, limit your overflight.

No flight over assemblies of people
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Complete the training and pass the exam defined by the national authority. Or, have a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for the A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state)
<2 kgA2 (fly close to people) – can also fly in Subcategory A3No flying over uninvolved people

Keep a horizontal distance of 50 m from uninvolved people
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Complete the training and pass the exam defined by the national authority. Or, have a ‘Remote Pilot Certificate of competency’ for A2 ‘open’ subcategory
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state)
<25 kgA3 (fly far from people)Do not fly near or over people

Fly at least 150 m away from residential, commercial, or industrial areas
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Complete the training and pass the exam defined by the national authority. Or, have a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for the A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state)
Table of EASA Open Category Classification and Operational Requirements in place to December 31, 2023

Starting from 1 January 2024, operations in the open category must be conducted either with a drone bearing a C0, C1, C2, C3, or C4 class identification label or privately built or even without a class identification label, but only if placed on the market before 31 December 2023.

The markings look like this:

C0 Drone Class LabelC1 Drone Class LabelC2 Drone Class LabelC3 Drone Class LabelC4 Drone Class Label
easa drone c0 marking easa drone c1 marking easa drone c2 marking easa drone c3 marking easa drone c4 marking

We recommend if you are in the market for a drone, you buy a drone with your desired marking. Choose one with the markings for the operations you will conduct.

For your benefit, here is a list of the currently available drones with class identification labels:

ClassCompanyTypeModel NameModel Numbers

easa drone c0 marking
DJIMulti-rotorDJI Mini 2 SE
DJI Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo
MT2SD, MT2SDCE, MT3PDCE, MT3PD,
MT3M3VDB, MT4MFVD

easa drone c1 marking
DJIMulti-rotorAIR 3, DJI MAVIC 3 V2.0, Cine V2.0, ClassicEB3WBC , L2AA, L2PA, L2C
easa drone c2 marking AgEagleFixed-wingSENSEFLY eBeeSENSEFLY EBEE X, GEO,
AG, TAC PUBLIC SAFETY
easa drone c2 marking
DJIMulti-rotorM30 EU, M3OT EU, DJI MAVIC 3E EU, 3T EU, ЗМ EUM30 RTK EU, M30T RTK EU, M3E-EU, M3T-EU, M3M-EU
easa drone c3 marking Quantum-SystemsFixed-wingTrinity F90+R10
easa drone c3 marking DJI Multi-rotor Matrice 350 RTKM350 RTK

For details on the EASA Category as of January 2024, please see the Open Category Explainer.

Registration

According to European Regulation (EU) 2019/947, registration is mandatory for UAS operators (not for UAS themselves).

The UAS Pilot, also known as the Remote Pilot (RP), is the person physically behind the UAS flight controls. They are fully responsible for the safety of the flight throughout operations.

The UAS Operator is the person or company who oversees operations and gives flight instructions. This person or legal entity bears all responsibility for the operations of the drone (s) on their behalf. Very often, in the OPEN category and as individuals, the Pilot and the Operator are the same person.

How to register as a drone pilot or operator in France?

The operator registration procedure begins at the online Alpha Tango registration link.

This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must be renewed periodically following the same procedure. The operator always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register.

Who should register?

As part of the OPEN category, registration is compulsory for operators:

  • UAS that has a mass of 250 g or more; 
  • UAS that has a mass of less than 250 g but:
    • can operate at speeds greater than 90km / h 
    • are equipped with a camera or a microphone, if these UAS are NOT toys * 

* A UAS is a toy when a manufacturer intends it for children under 14 and meets the minimum safety criteria required to be so named. Compliance with these standards naturally limits the capabilities of the UAS (size, weight, non-dangerous spare parts, no powerful motor, etc.): see Directive 2009/48 / EC of 18 June 2009 on the safety of toys

Under the SPECIFIC category, registration is compulsory for all operators.

Natural persons can only register in the country where they reside.

Legal persons must register in the country where their principal place of business is located.

Registration can only be done in one Member State at a time.

Drone Insurance France – Compulsory for Commercial

Attention: For the operation of a drone in France, insurance is recommended for hobbyists but required for commercial drone operations. Your insurance coverage must be at least 1m EUR.

Remote ID

Drones weighing 800 grams or more must be equipped with a signaling device beginning 29 June 2020. It transmits the drone’s identification and flight information (coordinates, speed, and course) via radio signal at regular intervals (WIFI). 

Note for foreign drone operators visiting France

Whether you are a resident of France or a visitor, you must operate within the limitations and follow the rules and procedures of the category in which your drone operation qualifies above.

EU Resident Visitors (Countries following EASA regulations)

  • If you are previously registered or have a remote pilot certificate in your home country or another EASA member state, then your registration and RPC are valid in France. Follow the operational rules for your category of drone flight.
  • If you have not been registered or have a remote pilot certificate previously, you will need to do so in your home country or France before conducting flights (depending on the category of drone flight you wish to undertake).

Operator Registration (Non-EU Residents)

  • If you are coming from a non-EU country and this is the first time you will fly your drone in an EU country, you MUST register as an Operator into the FCAA systems at the AlphaTango registration site.
  • Upon registration, you will receive a unique Operator Registration number, which you MUST attach to your drone. If you have several drones, the same number must be attached to all of them.
  • You are not allowed to fly in NO FLY ZONES, and you must keep away a minimum of 8km distance away from airports/heliports.
  • You must not register again if you have already conducted operations in another EU country before going to France. You always register to the first non-EU country you have conducted flights.

Remote Pilot Certificate (Non-EU Residents)

  • If you want to fly your drone in France and live in a non-EU country, you must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from an EU country.
  • You can get the A1/A3 Certificate by registering with a Remote Pilot School.
  • The online training and exams are required for those who want to fly a drone in the ‘Open’ category in subcategories A1/A3.
  • The pass mark is 75%, and you have three attempts to pass.
  • Once you pass your exam, you will receive your remote pilot certificate. Its validity will be five years.
  • You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate when you plan to perform drone operations in France and present it when the authorities ask.

Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in France

The most common drone flights you will undertake will most likely be covered by the Open Category described above.

For more details on the Open Category, please see our Open Category Explainer.

If your flights cannot be operated within the limitations of the Open Category, you may need to follow the Specific Category or Certified Category Rules.

For more details on the Specific Category, please see our Specific Category Explainer.

The Certified Category is complicated and aimed at the most sophisticated drone operators. We recommend you start at this EASA page.


Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in France

The most common drone flights you will undertake will most likely be covered by the Open Category described above.

For more details on the Open Category, please see our Open Category Explainer.

If your flights cannot be operated within the limitations of the Open Category, you may need to follow the Specific Category or Certified Category Rules.

For more details on the Specific Category, please see our Specific Category Explainer.

The Certified Category is complicated and aimed at the most sophisticated drone operators. We recommend you start at this EASA page.


What you must know about France No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

You need to know if you can operate your drone. Under what limitations? Whether you will need authorizations? And, if so, how to get those authorizations.

We encourage you to read our explainer. It provides more details here: Explainer – What You Must Know About No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

We provide links to where you can fly a drone below (France Drone Map).

Useful published information on flying drones in France

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in France…


Authoritative Sources of Information on France Drone Laws

We will attempt to keep an updated list of online authoritative links to regulators and other official websites here:



NOTE: This page is about the Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.


Find out why

We think you must use a Drone Preflight Checklist

And a Drone Post-flight checklist

Free Drone Flight Checklist PDF

This Drone Flight Checklists is better than others.

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It includes both the preflight checklist and post-flight checklist

It’s an easy-to-use printable PDF that covers all your bases.


Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.



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In The Comments Below


26 responses to “Drone Laws in France”

  1. Angélica Carvalho

    Hi, i have a dji mini 3 (less than 250g) and I just registered myself in the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) in Portugal (where i am from). Do i need to register me or the drone somewhere to fly in france, if yes where? Do i need training or insurance? Thank you 🙂

    1. Editorial Team

      Both Portugal and France are covered by the EASA rules, so you are ok to fly in France. Follow the rules above.

  2. Farne

    Please can I check what the maximum height that a drone less than 250g can fly? 50 metres or 120 metres? Thank you

    1. Editorial Team

      You can fly up to 50m over an object or building with a drone under 250g. The 120m maximum applies to the specific category.

  3. ttt

    Is third party liability insurance for drones mandatory in France?
    Does EC785/2004 apply to drones in France?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      This regulation applies to drones in France.
      Article 2 Scope’ ‘Model aircraft with an MTOM of less than 20 kg’ is exempt from the regulation. (MTOM meaning maximum take-off mass)
      It has been interpreted to mean that recreation operations with drones under 20kg are exempt, but for commercial operations there are no exemptions.
      To be extra cautious we recommend you get proper legal advice on the specific of your operation.

  4. Sean Cai

    Hi,

    I am Sean from China. My company is a drone light show company, and our drone weight with battery is 520g, we are planning to fly 1000 drone swarms in France, are these drones need to be registered? Does the pilot need a special certification? do we need to first register a company in France? What else do we need to do?
    Thanks.

    Best regard.

    Sean

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Sean, this is a special use case which would have to be approved by the regulator under specific rules. Please contact the regulator (link to their website is at the top of the page).

  5. JAMES IAN WHITESIDE

    I’m the owner of a DJI Mini 2 I’ve registered myself as an operator and registered my aircraft. My understanding is that there is an annual fee for flying my drone and I am quite happy to pay it. HOWEVER, throughout the process I have seen nowhere to pay this fee. Will I get an invoice and then pay it? Can anyone advise me if I can pay it now then how?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      James, you will need to update your registration each year. Follow the registration link provided above

  6. Peter Evans

    Maximum height is 120 metres, not 150

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Thanks Peter

  7. Joao

    Good afternoon, I’m a non EU resident currently my drone and Fly ID is in the UK, I also have a french ID do I have to register my drone in France as well?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Uk is not on the EASA (EU Regulator) system. Follow the France rules above

  8. Dave Mc

    Can you help me please? I am after a drone for me and my grandson,it’s only about 300grs. Can you please tell me if I need a licence to fly it in France?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      For most consumer grade smaller drones under 250g you will not need to register or have a license to fly. If the drone is under 250g and equipped with a camera, or over 250g, and you are mostly doing simple hobby type flights you will only need to register. For more complex operations, see above.

  9. Juan Jesus

    Hello, I am register in Spain with EASA valid documentation. Is it possible for me to fly in France for working?

    Thank you

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      You will require FCAA authorization for commercial flights in France

  10. Huy

    Hi Merlin,

    If I had registered in Italy, then I do not need to register in subsequent countries that I am visiting on the same trip right?

    Thanks in advance.

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      For countries that are under the EASA regulations, that is correct.

  11. Peter Haupers Jr.

    I’d like to take my drone to France on a trip. We are visiting many wineries and thought the drone images would be great memories. I got my French drone registration number and my operator ID. And I read the guidelines and plan to avoid restricted areas as directed. But I can’t seem to find liability insurance for the drone. American insurance companies are only providing insurance in France to commercial drones. And French companies have only French language websites. Do you have any idea how I can obtain the appropriate coverage or can direct me to a company covering tourists with drones? Thank you!

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Peter, we don’t have any specific recommendations. Perhaps someone in the community might have some advice

  12. John Bilsland

    Can you please advise if it is legal to use a drone for agricultural spraying in France?

    Quelqu’un peut-il indiquer s’il est légal d’utiliser un drone pour la pulvérisation agricole en France ?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      John, agricultural spraying with drone would fall under the commercial operations and either specific or certified category. You will need to contact the regulator for additional requirements.

  13. david

    The “Open” registration is valid 5 years not 1.

Leave a Comment

26 thoughts on “Drone Laws in France”

  1. Hi, i have a dji mini 3 (less than 250g) and I just registered myself in the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) in Portugal (where i am from). Do i need to register me or the drone somewhere to fly in france, if yes where? Do i need training or insurance? Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • You can fly up to 50m over an object or building with a drone under 250g. The 120m maximum applies to the specific category.

      Reply
    • This regulation applies to drones in France.
      Article 2 Scope’ ‘Model aircraft with an MTOM of less than 20 kg’ is exempt from the regulation. (MTOM meaning maximum take-off mass)
      It has been interpreted to mean that recreation operations with drones under 20kg are exempt, but for commercial operations there are no exemptions.
      To be extra cautious we recommend you get proper legal advice on the specific of your operation.

      Reply
  2. Hi,

    I am Sean from China. My company is a drone light show company, and our drone weight with battery is 520g, we are planning to fly 1000 drone swarms in France, are these drones need to be registered? Does the pilot need a special certification? do we need to first register a company in France? What else do we need to do?
    Thanks.

    Best regard.

    Sean

    Reply
    • Sean, this is a special use case which would have to be approved by the regulator under specific rules. Please contact the regulator (link to their website is at the top of the page).

      Reply
  3. I’m the owner of a DJI Mini 2 I’ve registered myself as an operator and registered my aircraft. My understanding is that there is an annual fee for flying my drone and I am quite happy to pay it. HOWEVER, throughout the process I have seen nowhere to pay this fee. Will I get an invoice and then pay it? Can anyone advise me if I can pay it now then how?

    Reply
  4. Good afternoon, I’m a non EU resident currently my drone and Fly ID is in the UK, I also have a french ID do I have to register my drone in France as well?

    Reply
  5. Can you help me please? I am after a drone for me and my grandson,it’s only about 300grs. Can you please tell me if I need a licence to fly it in France?

    Reply
    • For most consumer grade smaller drones under 250g you will not need to register or have a license to fly. If the drone is under 250g and equipped with a camera, or over 250g, and you are mostly doing simple hobby type flights you will only need to register. For more complex operations, see above.

      Reply
  6. Hi Merlin,

    If I had registered in Italy, then I do not need to register in subsequent countries that I am visiting on the same trip right?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  7. I’d like to take my drone to France on a trip. We are visiting many wineries and thought the drone images would be great memories. I got my French drone registration number and my operator ID. And I read the guidelines and plan to avoid restricted areas as directed. But I can’t seem to find liability insurance for the drone. American insurance companies are only providing insurance in France to commercial drones. And French companies have only French language websites. Do you have any idea how I can obtain the appropriate coverage or can direct me to a company covering tourists with drones? Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Can you please advise if it is legal to use a drone for agricultural spraying in France?

    Quelqu’un peut-il indiquer s’il est légal d’utiliser un drone pour la pulvérisation agricole en France ?

    Reply
    • John, agricultural spraying with drone would fall under the commercial operations and either specific or certified category. You will need to contact the regulator for additional requirements.

      Reply

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