Are drones allowed in France?
Yes, drones are allowed in France, but there are regulations and restrictions in place for their use. These regulations include restrictions on where drones can be flown, altitude limits, and requirements for registration and labeling of the drone. It is important to follow the regulations in order to ensure the safe operation of drones and to avoid legal consequences.
Most important France drone rules
The new EU registration requirements do not apply to users of the following types of unmanned aircraft:
- Unmanned aircraft weighing less than 250 grams and lacking a camera or other sensor capable of capturing personal data.
- Unmanned aircraft classified as toys according to Directive 2009/48/EC.
- Control line model aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of 1 kg.
However, all other drone operators must register their drones in France. The registration fees are 30€ for 1 year, 75€ for 3 years, or 100€ for 5 years.
Do I need EASA certification to fly a drone in France?
In France, you need certification to fly a drone, as the country is a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The specific rules and certification requirements depend on the weight of the drone. You can use our calculator to determine the applicable rules and any necessary certification.
In our guides, we describe only the open categories, which are the most common for most non-commercial pilots.
Which drone license do I need to fly in countries that are members of EASA?
- Minimum age is 16
- Drone operator registration required
- Read user's manual
- May fly over uninvolved people (should be avoided if possible)
- No flight over assemblies of people
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