Drone laws in France (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: France applies the EU drone rules with national additions. Operators register on AlphaTango for drones over 250 g or with a camera, and pilots must be 14 or older.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Operator registration | Register as a European UAS operator on the DGAC's AlphaTango portal before flying a drone over 250 g, or a drone with a camera or other sensor that can record personal data (unless it is a toy). [1] |
| Pilot competencyRecreational flying (open category) | Online A1/A3 exam for C1, C2, C3, C4 and privately built drones (valid 5 years). Subcategory A2 also needs practical self-training and the A2 exam, which gives a remote pilot certificate. C0 drones under 250 g: read the manual; the exam is recommended. [2] |
| Liability insuranceDrones of 20 kg or more | Yes [3] |
| Liability insuranceDrones under 20 kg | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum age to fly | 14 years [2] |
| Maximum heightRecreational flying (open category) | 120 m [2] |
| Remote IDRecreational flying (open category) | Direct remote identification is required when flying a C1 drone in A1, a C2 drone in A2 or A3, or a C3 drone in A3. These drones have it built in. [2] |
Notes
- Separately, France requires the owner to register any drone of 800 g or more on AlphaTango. Below 800 g this is optional, unless the drone carries the national electronic signaling device.
- The official guide says the remote pilot is liable for damage to people and property on the ground and should check that their liability cover applies. It does not state a mandatory insurance requirement.
- No minimum age for C0 toy drones, privately built drones under 250 g, or when directly supervised by a remote pilot aged 16 or older. Both must meet the training requirements.
- Measured from the closest point of the ground. Within 50 m of an artificial obstacle taller than 105 m, you may fly up to 15 m above it if its owner asks for this.
- This is the EU direct remote identification built into these drones. France also requires a separate national electronic signaling device on drones of 800 g or more.
Sources
- Ministère de la Transition écologique (DGAC): Exploitation de drones en catégorie ouverte (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Direction générale de l'Aviation civile (DGAC), French Ministry of Ecological Transition: Guide DSAC – Catégorie ouverte (Édition 2, version 1.1) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the European Union): Regulation (EC) No 785/2004 on insurance requirements for air carriers and aircraft operators (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.