It is strictly regulated.
Flying drones over private property in France requires compliance with EU Regulation 2019/947 and French national rules enforced by the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC). Authorization is mandatory for flights over private land unless below 50 meters in uncontrolled airspace. Privacy laws under the Code civil and RGPD impose additional obligations to respect individuals’ rights.
Key Regulations for Flying Drones Over Private Property in France
- Authorization Thresholds: Drones weighing over 25 kg or flying above 120 meters require prior DGAC approval. For lighter drones, operators must adhere to open category rules (e.g., A1/A3 subcategories) or obtain a specific category permit for flights over private property.
- Privacy and Data Protection: Article 9 of the Code civil prohibits capturing images of individuals without consent, while the RGPD mandates data minimization for drone-collected footage. Violations risk fines up to €40,000.
- Local Restrictions: Municipalities may impose arrêtés (local decrees) banning drone flights in sensitive areas (e.g., near schools or private estates). The 2026 compliance shift introduces mandatory geofencing for drones in urban zones.
Operators must also register drones on the AlphaTango platform and complete mandatory training for categories A1/A3. Non-compliance triggers penalties under Article L6232-4 of the French Transport Code.