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Flying a drone in France: 2026 rules, registration and zones

Verified against official sources on September 29, 2026

In short

France applies the EU drone framework, with operator registration and pilot competence depending on the aircraft and operation. Open-category flights normally stay within visual line of sight and 120 m of the closest point of the ground. French rules add restrictions on recreational flights in public space in built-up areas, night flights, aircraft registration and electronic signalling. Check your drone configuration, the Géoportail UAS map and current SIA notices before each flight; a general country guide cannot authorise a location.

On this page

Who regulates drones

France's civil aviation authority, the Direction générale de l'Aviation civile (DGAC), regulates drones. It publishes the open category rules and a detailed guide for leisure and simple professional flights.1,2

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  • Most paperwork, including operator registration, aircraft registration and flight notifications, is done online on the DGAC portal AlphaTango. Technical help is available from assistance-alphatango@aviation-civile.gouv.fr.3,2

Registration

In the open category, operator registration is required for a drone of at least 250 g or capable of transferring more than 80 J on impact. It is also required for a drone with a camera or other personal-data sensor, except a compliant toy. Every specific-category operation requires operator registration. Register in the applicable state of residence or first operation rather than duplicating an existing EASA-state registration.8,2

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  • French residents register as operators only online on AlphaTango. They receive an operator number in the form FRA followed by 13 characters, which must be displayed legibly on the drone, and an electronic identification number to enter in the manufacturer's app for remote identification.2,3
  • France also has a separate national rule: every drone of 800 g or more (including batteries and equipment) must be registered by its owner on AlphaTango, receiving a number of the form UAS-FR-[number]. This registration is valid for five years, the number must be permanently visible on the aircraft, and the pilot must carry the registry extract on paper or phone.2
  • The French electronic-signalling requirement generally applies from 800 g, with defined exemptions, including qualifying club operations at designated model-aircraft sites and flights inside closed, covered spaces. National signalling and EU direct remote identification are separate requirements; check the configuration and identifier specified by the manufacturer and DGAC rather than assuming that one replaces the other.2,1

Categories and weight classes

Leisure and simple professional flights fall in the EU open category: the drone must weigh less than 25 kg, stay in visual line of sight, stay within 120 m of the closest point of the ground, and never fly over assemblies of people.8,10

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  • A1 distinguishes C0 and eligible unlabelled or privately built drones under 250 g from C1: intentional overflight of uninvolved people is not allowed with C1, and unexpected overflight must be minimised. No open-category drone may overfly assemblies. A2 with C2 normally requires 30 m separation, reducible to 5 m with active low-speed mode and the required assessment. A3 keeps 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.10,9,8
  • Eligible drones without a class label placed on the market before 1 January 2024 can operate in A1 below 250 g or A3 below 25 kg. Privately built drones have a separate route under the EU rules; the market-date rule is not a blanket ban on home-built aircraft. Check the conditions for the actual drone and subcategory.2
  • The EU minimum age is 16. France lowers it to 14 for the open category on French territory, and there is no minimum age for a C0 toy drone, a privately built drone under 250 g, or when flying under the direct supervision of a pilot aged at least 16.2,8

Pilot competence

The DGAC runs a free online training course and exam for subcategories A1 and A3. The exam has 40 questions, you need 75 percent correct answers, attempts are unlimited, and the result is valid for five years.2,1

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  • The exam is mandatory for class C1, C2, C3 and C4 drones, privately built drones and legacy drones of 250 g or more flown in A3. For C0 drones and legacy drones under 250 g it is recommended but not required, and you must read the manufacturer's manual.2
  • To fly in subcategory A2 you also need practical self-training and an additional theory exam, after which you receive the remote pilot certificate (brevet d'aptitude de pilote à distance), valid for five years.2,10
  • During every flight you must carry your training certificates and proof of identity, on paper or electronically, and show them if checked.2

Where you can fly

The maximum height in the open category is 120 m above ground or water. Lower limits apply near aerodromes and in military low flying areas, and you can be several kilometres from an airport and still be inside a restricted area.2,5

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  • Recreational open-category flights over public space in built-up areas are restricted, including urban parks and beaches. Private land requires the relevant agreement and compliance with aircraft separation, containment and airspace conditions. Professional operations have a different national route; their purpose alone does not authorise the flight.2,4,5
  • Paris is subject to the prohibited airspace P 23 and urban restrictions. Do not plan an ordinary recreational flight there, including from private property, on the strength of a consumer map. Any exceptional operation needs its applicable official procedure and explicit authorisations; this guide does not assess those approvals.2
  • Night flight is generally prohibited in the open category in France. DGAC describes defined exceptions and a prefectural derogation procedure with at least 30 days notice. Verify whether the exact operation meets an exception or obtain the derogation; fitting lights alone is not sufficient.11,2
  • Drones must not fly over national parks and nature reserves listed in the aeronautical information, over hospitals, prisons and certain industrial sites, or near accident, fire or disaster sites, where the prefect can create a temporary no-fly zone.2
  • Drones of 900 g or more flying in military low level activity areas (SETBA) during their active hours must be notified to the armed forces through AlphaTango.2

Geographical zones

The official map of open category restrictions is the Géoportail layer "Restrictions UAS catégorie Ouverte et aéromodélisme", produced with the aeronautical information service (SIA). It shows where flying is banned and the maximum height allowed elsewhere.4,2

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  • Géoportail does not provide a complete live clearance picture: temporary restrictions, some private landing sites and restrictions outside the aeronautical publications may be absent. Urban outlines are indicative. Recreational public-space restrictions still apply even if a map colour seems permissive.4
  • Temporary restrictions are published by NOTAM and supplements to the AIP on the SIA website, and some restricted areas are only active at certain times that the map does not show. If in doubt, do not fly there.2,12
  • Some sites are also banned for aerial image capture. They are listed in a ministerial order, and operators must check them before each mission or obtain the necessary authorisation.2

Insurance

The remote pilot is liable by law for damage caused to people and property on the ground. The DGAC advises checking whether your drone flying is covered by your civil liability insurance, for example home insurance, or by a specific drone policy.2

Privacy and photos

People nearby must at least be told if your drone carries a camera or another sensor that can record identifying data.2,7

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  • Publishing or selling images in which people can be recognised, such as faces or number plates, requires the consent of those people, or of the owner for private places such as houses and gardens.2,7
  • Professional drone use that processes personal data must comply with the French data protection act and the GDPR. Before any flight over private property, coordinate with the owner or occupant.2,4
  • For professional flights in populated areas in towns, a declaration must be made to the prefecture at least 10 working days in advance, preferably through AlphaTango or with form CERFA 15476.2

Flying as a visitor

Use your existing EASA-state operator registration and recognised pilot certificates for an eligible open-category operation in France. French aircraft-registration and signalling rules may add steps, especially from 800 g or for an aircraft equipped with national signalling. Check the DGAC exemptions and the aircraft configuration, then comply with all local zones. Registration recognition is not a geographical-zone permission.2,8

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  • If you live outside the EU, for example in the United States or the United Kingdom, you must register as an EU drone operator in the first EU country where you plan to fly. If that is France, you register on AlphaTango.2,1,3
  • A non-EU licence does not automatically replace EU pilot competence. Obtain the certificate required for your drone class and subcategory; a C0 flight does not require the A1/A3 exam. National registration, signalling and zone conditions remain separate checks.2

Penalties

Using a drone in breach of safety rules can be punished by one year in prison and a 75,000 euro fine.2

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  • Flying over a prohibited zone through carelessness or negligence can be punished by six months in prison and a 15,000 euro fine, rising to one year and 45,000 euros if deliberate. The court can also confiscate the drone.6,2
  • Recording or transmitting the image of a person in a private place without consent can be punished by one year in prison and a 45,000 euro fine.2
  • Flying a drone of 800 g or more without the required training certificate, without registering it, without displaying its number or without a working signalling device is a minor offence punished by a fine (contravention).2,1

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register my drone in France?

EU operator registration is normally required from 250 g, for impact energy above 80 J, or for a personal-data sensor such as a camera unless the aircraft is a toy. France also has separate aircraft-registration and signalling rules, generally from 800 g, with configuration-dependent cases and defined signalling exemptions. Check the current DGAC guide and AlphaTango.2,8

Can I fly a drone in Paris?

An ordinary recreational flight in Paris cannot be treated as permitted: the P 23 prohibited airspace and urban restrictions apply, including to flights from private land. Exceptional authorised operations have separate official procedures. Check those with the competent authority before making a plan.2

Can I fly a drone at night in France?

Generally not in the open category. DGAC identifies defined exceptions and a prefectural derogation that must be requested at least 30 days ahead. Check the actual conditions; lights on the drone do not by themselves make a night flight permissible.11,2

Can I fly my drone on a beach in France?

Not if the beach is inside a town or village: public space in built-up areas, including beaches, parks and rivers, is banned for leisure flights. Outside towns, check the Géoportail map for height limits and bans, and stay away from crowds.4,2

I am a tourist from the US or UK. What do I need to fly in France?

Register in the first EASA state where you intend to fly when operator registration is required. Obtain EU pilot competence if your drone class and subcategory need it. Check French aircraft registration, signalling and exemptions, then review Géoportail, SIA notices and any required local authorisations.2,1

What is the maximum drone height in France?

120 m above ground or water in the open category. Many areas, especially near aerodromes, have lower limits shown on the Géoportail map.2,4

Sources

Informational summary, not legal advice. The official sources below are binding.

  1. 1
    Exploitation de drones en catégorie ouverteDirection générale de l'Aviation civile (DGAC), Ministère de la Transition écologique · accessed October 1, 2026
  2. 2
    Guide DSAC : usages de loisir et professionnels simplifiés des aéronefs sans équipage à bord, catégorie Ouverte (édition 2, version 1.1, 26 juillet 2026)Direction générale de l'Aviation civile (DGAC), DSAC · accessed October 1, 2026
  3. 3
    Connexion | AlphaTangoDirection générale de l'Aviation civile (DGAC) · accessed September 29, 2026
  4. 4
    Restrictions UAS catégorie Ouverte et aéromodélismeGéoportail (IGN), data by Service de l'information aéronautique (SIA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  5. 5
    Arrêté du 3 décembre 2020 relatif à l'utilisation de l'espace aérien par les aéronefs sans équipage à bordLégifrance · accessed September 29, 2026
Show all 12 sources
  1. 6
    Article L6232-12, Code des transportsLégifrance · accessed September 29, 2026
  2. 7
    Où piloter son drone de loisir et quelles précautions en matière de vie privée ?Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) · accessed September 29, 2026
  3. 8
    Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (consolidated text 01/05/2025)EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union · accessed September 29, 2026
  4. 9
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (consolidated text 24/06/2025)EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union · accessed September 29, 2026
  5. 10
    Open Category - Civil DronesEuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  6. 11
    Fiche réflexe catégorie ouverte (night-flight exceptions and derogation)Direction générale de l’aviation civile (DGAC) · accessed October 1, 2026
  7. 12
    Service de l’information aéronautique: NOTAM and AIP supplementsDGAC / SIA · accessed October 1, 2026

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