Understanding the New Drone Regulations in France and Europe (2026)
What clients need to know before booking professional drone services
As drone technology becomes increasingly integrated into industries such as real estate, construction, advertising, and media, it’s more important than ever for clients to understand the rules that govern professional drone operations. Starting in 2026, new drone regulations will apply across France and the European Union, bringing key changes that impact how and where drones can be flown, especially in urban environments and areas with people.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know in clear and accessible terms.
Why These Regulations Matter
Drone flights are regulated to protect people, property, and other airspace users while still allowing professionals to deliver high-quality aerial services. The updated framework, which comes from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and is reflected in French law, focuses on the level of risk involved in the operation instead of strictly on whether a flight is for professional or recreational use.
Understanding these rules helps clients:
plan projects realistically,
coordinate scheduling in advance,
ensure that the work their drone pilot proposes is legal and compliant,
avoid surprises related to safety or bureaucracy.
Two Main Regulatory Categories
Professional drone operations fall under one of two main categories:
🟢 Open Category
Designed for lower-risk flights, this category is generally the simplest to use, but it still includes clear operational limits. It’s defined by the drone’s characteristics and where it’s flown relative to people.
🟠 Specific Category
For operations that involve greater complexity or risk, such as flying in more controlled environments or near bystanders, the Specific Category applies. These flights require additional planning and authorization.
The Open Category Explained
The Open Category is subdivided according to how close the drone flies to people:
| Subcategory | What It Means |
|---|---|
| A1 | Fly over people (but never over crowds) |
| A2 | Fly near people, keeping a safe horizontal distance |
| A3 | Fly well away from people and inhabited areas |
Open Category flights have general rules that apply everywhere in the EU:
Max altitude: 120 meters
Drone must remain within the pilot’s visual line of sight (VLOS)
No flying over gatherings of people
Respect other airspace restrictions (e.g., near airports)
Privacy and personal data must be respected
The Specific Category & Standard Scenarios
When a job involves higher complexity — for example, working in controlled zones, near infrastructure, or where other aircraft may be present — the operation falls into the Specific Category. Within this category, there are defined “Standard Scenarios” that describe how certain types of flights can be conducted.
STS-01 – VLOS in Controlled Areas
This scenario is used for many professional services such as urban shoots, real estate filming in city settings, and job sites.
Key points:
The drone remains within visual line of sight.
The pilot secures and manages the area on the ground.
The drone must be approved for this level of operation.
A Prefectural declaration is required with a minimum 10-working-days’ notice for flights in populated areas.
STS-02 – BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)
This scenario allows flights where the pilot cannot see the drone with the naked eye — but only in non-populated areaswhere safety can be controlled. It’s suited for long inspections, infrastructure workflows, or rural operations. This does notapply to filming in city settings or near crowds.
Drone Classes & What They Mean for Your Project
Every drone in the EU is classified based on technical features like weight, positioning accuracy, and safety systems. These classes determine where and how a drone can be flown within each category.
Here’s a simplified overview:
| Class | Typical Weight & Features | Applicable Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| C0 | Very light (≤ 250 g) | Small, low-risk flights in Open A1/A3 |
| C1 | Light (≤ 900 g) | Open A1/A2/A3 depending on pilot distance |
| C2 | ≤ 4 kg with geo-limits | Open A2 & A3 |
| C3 / C4 | ≤ 25 kg | Open A3 only (away from people) |
| C5 | Advanced safety tech | Specific STS-01 operations |
| C6 | Even more advanced BVLOS | Specific STS-02 flights outside populated zones |
This structure ensures that the hardware, pilot skill, and operational environment match appropriately to minimize risk.
What This Means for Clients ?
If you are planning to hire a drone pilot for a project in France (or anywhere in the EU):
Tell your drone services provider about locations and context early
Cities, crowds, events, and even public parks can change the regulatory status of your flight.Expect administrative lead times
Professional flights in or near urban areas require notifications 10 working days before the operation.Understand the category that applies
Some jobs — especially in urban or populated settings — cannot be done under the simplest Open rules and need the Specific Category with scenario planning.Make sure your pilot is qualified
Legitimate professional drone pilots will confirm their certifications, explain the regulatory path, and take responsibility for compliance before the flight.
Why Choose a Certified French Drone Pilot?
A professional operator like those in the HOsiHO French Drone Pilots Network brings:
deep understanding of European and national rules,
training and certification required for each category,
experience with notifications and risk assessments,
and the assurance that projects are done safely, legally, and on schedule.
In Summary
The new 2026 drone rules in France and Europe emphasize risk-based operations, clear procedures for populated areas, and advanced planning.
As a client, being informed helps you set realistic timelines, work with experienced professionals, and get the best possible results from your aerial project.
Feel free to share this guide with colleagues or reach out to a certified pilot in the HOsiHO Network for help planning your next aerial mission!
If you have a need in terms of drone services in France for aerial photography, drone FPV, video or 360° photos, and even film production with a mix of drone and ground images, do not hesitate to contact directly the drone pilots that we are very proud to represent.
Just click on the camera icons and you will discover the nearest dronist available nearby your shooting location.
You are welcome to use the contact form or give a call to the pilot.
Map of HOsiHO Drone Pilots Members in France
Click on a the icon to discover and connect directly with the nearest drone pilots of the HOsiHO Drone Pilots Network in France
The coverage of Metropolitan France is total and the unifying principles of the HOsiHO Drone Pilots Network labeled operators are:
- each drone pilot radiates on several departments around his headquarters, at the nearest of your shooting locations
- a perfect knowledge of the surroundings
- reduced travel expenses
- a great reactivity and very helpful for scouting
- homogeneous rates
- adherence to the network charter
- aerial work in accordance with french and European drone regulations
- the most appropriate creative and technical response to your request
