Drone Laws in Monaco

Summary of Drone Laws in Monaco

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Principality of Monaco

Drone Regulator in Monaco: Civil Aviation Authority of the Principe of Monaco (CAA)

Regulations: Ministerial Order 2021-532

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Monaco

The Monaco agency responsible for drone safety, CAA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in Monaco?

According to the CAA, drone operations are allowed in Monaco, subject to very strict CAA regulations. Read on for more details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Monaco

Remote-controlled unmanned aircraft with thermal engines are prohibited in Monegasque airspace.

Only direct-view flights are allowed in Monegasque airspace. BVLOS flights are prohibited.

All natural or legal persons wishing to operate a remotely piloted aircraft weighing more than 100g must hold a certificate of authorization issued by the Director of Civil Aviation.

This authorization, which includes a list of the remote pilots and the remotely piloted aircraft authorized, is issued for three years.

The operator, once approved, must obtain authorization before every flight.

See the procedure “How to request an authorisation to shoot.“

Contact the Civil Aviation Authority if you wish to undertake a flight without taking photographs.

The use of model aircraft with a mass of less than 100g, captive flying devices, lightweight free-flying balloons, and ultra-light gliders is freely permitted, except for the vicinity of the Prince’s Palace, the Place du Palais, and within 150 meters of the heliport.

Unless authorized by the Minister of State, the use of any flying device is forbidden:

• Above the Place du Palais and the Prince’s Palace
• Less than 150 meters from the boundaries of the heliport of Monaco

What documents are needed for drone approval in Monaco?

You must provide the following:

• A description of the flying devices: brand, type, main dimensions, mass, main constituent parts and materials used, predicted performance
• The type of engine
• The type of propellers
• The make and type of the remote control system and frequency range used
• A description of the power system and associated protective features
• A description and proof of mandatory security features (barometric sensor, emergency landing device, third-party protection)
• A description of the maintenance procedures for the flying devices
• A copy of the operator’s public liability insurance contract
• A copy of the flying license or certificate for a theoretical examination taken
• A Special Activities Manual comprising the following information:
  • Setting out satisfactory security conditions for remotely piloted aircraft, particularly for protecting third parties on the ground and in flight.  It must contain the rules and procedures for operating remotely piloted aircraft and all the necessary information for dealing with incidents and accidents.
  • Setting out the requirements for undertaking special activities adapted to each type of remotely piloted aircraft.  It must state the checks that the remote pilot carries out to check that the aircraft and remote control system is functioning correctly before each flight.
  • Reiterate the requirements to be respected for implementing the rules of the air.
  • Describe security measures vis-à-vis third parties (limitations of use, dealing with breakdowns and loss of control, limiting risks in the case of impact, etc.)
  • For each type of special activity, state whether the remote pilot can, at the same time, be responsible for and undertake the tasks relating to flying the aircraft and those required of the person in charge of executing the special activity mission.  In cases where two people are required, state the relationship between and responsibilities of these two people.
  • List the remote pilots with the corresponding remotely controlled aircraft they will pilot.
  • Explain the level of training of the remote pilots
  • State, if necessary, the special conditions for operating the aircraft at night

Safety Equipment Required on all Drones?

Remotely piloted unmanned aircraft must have the following safety equipment:

1. A device allowing the remote pilot to know the altitude of his aircraft and to prevent it from exceeding the maximum height planned for a given flight. This device must work, including in cases of failure of the command and control link;
2. A device to force a landing as soon as the implementation of the aircraft leaves a specified volume of space, including in cases of failure of the command and control link;
3. A third-party protection device limiting the impact energy to 69 joules for unmanned aircraft over 0.7 kg, which must, together with an audible alarm, have an automatic trigger in the event of implementation of the emergency procedure and a manual triggering by the remote pilot if necessary;
4. A burst light device, making the unmanned unmanned aircraft visible to other aircraft;
5. An electronic or digital signaling system compatible with the remote-controlled unmanned aircraft identification system in force in the Principality;
6. An aircraft identification plate indicates the operator’s name, address, and telephone number.

The contact details of the authorized supplier of the electronic or digital signaling system mentioned in paragraph 5 can be obtained from the Civil Aviation Directorate.

How do I get authorization to fly in Monaco?

Any use in Monegasque airspace of an unmanned aircraft remotely piloted by an authorized operator must be subject to prior flight authorization, independent of a possible request for shooting authorization.

The application for flight authorization must be filed with the Director of Civil Aviation at least eight working days before the scheduled flight date under penalty of inadmissibility.

The operator and the remote pilot must be able, at all times, to justify the relative flight authorization and its content.

The application must be submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority. It can also be sent by e-mail.

The Director of Civil Aviation issues the authorization after consultation with the Technical Commission for Health, Safety, and Environmental Protection.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Monaco

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Monaco

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.

All filming in the Principality is subject to a request for authorization.

Requests for filming must be submitted at least 15 days before the planned start date.

Please note: The application file must be complete, i.e., include all requested documents. If the file is incomplete, the application will not be processed within the deadline.

A complete version of the script must be provided to the Government Communication Department one month before the start date for all films of fiction (cinema or television), whether fully or partially filmed in the Principality.

The extended use of certain places or streets in the Principality may give rise to the payment of an occupancy fee for usage of the public domain of the State.

Prior authorization from the Digital Platforms and Resources Department is mandatory for the use of temporary radio networks (for SNG, HF cameras, and radiocommunication devices)

For more information, please consult the procedures:

• How to request a permit for the installation and use of a temporary radio communication network
• How to request an authorisation for the installation and use of an SNG system

If you intend to film using a drone, the company undertaking this must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority.
For more information, see the procedure: How to apply for authorisation to operate drones

If you anticipate filming sites belonging to the Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer(Casino, Casino Square, and the Casino Gardens, One Monte-Carlo, Café de Paris, Hotel de Paris, Hermitage, Monte Carlo Beach, Sporting) please contact:

• For Press inquiries: presse@sbm.mc  or (00.377) 98 06 64 14
• For commercial inquiries (films, publicity, promotional images, etc.):
  • Marie Ducruet: Marie.Chevallier@sbm.mc
  • Morgane Grandclement: M.Iapella@sbm.mc
  • or (00.377) 98 06 63 90

Collating the documents

For all films of fiction

A complete version of the script (in French) must be provided to the Government Communication Department at least one month before the planned start date of filming. Applications should be made online or on paper, as described below.

For film, using a drone

You must provide the following documents in French or English to the Government Communication Department. Applications should be made online or paper, as described below:

• An insurance certificate
• A technical description
• A Special Activities Manual (for critical situations: failure, loss of control, emergency landing…)
• The certificate of qualification of the remote pilot
• A description of the overflown places, times, and flight plan
• A precise description of takeoff and landing areas + security zone
• The engagement letter or proof of the originator and the organizer if it is not the originator

Online Service

Making the application

Follow the link to the web service to request authorization to shoot.

NB: if you wish to make different kinds of shooting (photo, video, or film), you must make several online requests.

You will receive a delivery receipt for any online application.

You will receive the authorization by e-mail.

You will receive a delivery receipt for any online application.

Offline Procedure

To get this form, you can either:

• Download it here. Request to shoot in the Principality of Monaco (304-0001_01-2019)
• Or collect it from the Government Communication Department

The completed form must be submitted or sent to the Government Communication Department at least 15 days before the planned start of filming.

You will receive the authorization by e-mail.

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Useful published information on flying drones in Monaco

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

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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.

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Traveling with a Drone?

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

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