France DGAC Drone Regulations 2026: Flying Drones in France

France DGAC Drone Regulations 2026: Flying Drones in France

France implements the EASA Open/Specific/Certified framework under the oversight of the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC). France also has a well-developed national digital platform for drone management. This guide covers the key rules for recreational and commercial operators flying in France.

Registration and AlphaTango Platform

All drone operators in France who fly a drone with a camera or weighing 800g or more must register with the DGAC through the AlphaTango platform. AlphaTango serves as France's primary drone management system for:

• Operator and drone registration
• Flight plan declaration (required for many operations)
• Airspace authorization requests near airports and in restricted zones
• Accessing France's interactive airspace map

France's 800g registration threshold is slightly higher than the EU baseline of 250g — drones between 250g and 800g without cameras are exempt from registration but must still follow operational rules.

Open Category Rules

• A1 (C0/C1, under 900g): Fly near uninvolved people. Requires online A1/A3 theory test through DGAC. DJI Mini-series drones (under 250g) operate as C0 with maximum flexibility.
• A2 (C2, up to 4kg): Minimum 30m from uninvolved people (5m in low-speed mode). Requires A2 Certificate of Competency.
• A3 (C3/C4/legacy, up to 25kg): Minimum 150m from residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas.

Online training and theory tests are available through the AlphaTango portal.

France-Specific Restrictions

• Paris and major cities: Extensive permanent restricted zones (CTR and ZRT — Zones Réglementées Temporaires) cover Paris and other major urban centers. The Paris area has particularly complex airspace due to government buildings, airports (CDG, Orly, Le Bourget), and military zones.
• Natura 2000 and protected areas: Drone operations in many natural parks and protected areas require prior authorization from the park authority.
• Historical monuments: Flights over or near classified historical monuments require prior authorization from the relevant prefect.
• Beaches and coastal areas: Many coastal municipalities restrict drone operations during summer months.
• Night flight: Prohibited in Open Category without specific authorization.

Flight Declaration Requirements

Unlike some EU member states, France requires operators to file a flight declaration through AlphaTango for many Open Category operations, even in uncontrolled airspace. Check AlphaTango's interactive map before each flight to determine if a declaration or authorization is required for your specific location.

Commercial Operations

Commercial drone operations in France typically fall in the Specific Category and require either a SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) or compliance with a standard scenario (S1–S4). Individual commercial pilots must hold a DGAC remote pilot certificate (CATS — Certificat d'Aptitude Théorique de Sécurité) for operations requiring a Specific Category authorization.

Penalties

Violations of French drone regulations can result in fines up to €75,000 and up to one year imprisonment for serious offenses. French gendarmerie and police actively enforce drone regulations, particularly in Paris and around major events.

For current rules and AlphaTango access, see the DGAC drone information page.

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