Starting in January 2026new drone regulations will apply across France and the European Unionbringing 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.
Read the full article written by the HOsiHO French Drone Pilots Network : 🇺🇸 English – 🇫🇷 French – 🇪🇸 Español
- Drone pilots must hold one or all of the following certificates: CATS, BAPD OPEN A2, OPEN A1/A3
- Only Class C0, C1, C2 and C5 drones are authorised in urban or populated areas.
- All flights in populated areas must be for professional purposes and must be notified in advance to the Prefecture
- ⚠️ The Prefecture notification period has been extended from 5 days to 10 working days
- THE remote pilots must be holders of one or all certificatesfollowing: CATS, BAPD OPEN A2, OPEN A1/A3
- Only drones Classes C0, C1, C2 et C5 are authorized in urban or populated area
- Any flight in populated areas must be with character professional and be the subject of a prior notification to the prefecture
- ⚠️ The prefectural declaration goes from 5 days to 10 working days
