What you need to know before any professional aerial filming service with a drone in France as of January 1, 2026
Hiring a professional drone pilot for aerial photography or video work is now common: real estate, corporate communication, local authorities, events, institutional videos, etc.
However, drone operations are strictly regulated by European and French law, which has significantly changed as of January 1, 2026.
This article aims to explain clearly and simply:
the different flight categories (Open and Specific),
the authorized scenarios,
the regulatory constraints,
and why some missions require advance planning and administrative lead time.
We recommend that our clients contact us at least 3 weeks
prior to any drone service in populated or urban areas. (see §5)
1. A Common European Framework Applied in France
Civil drone flights are governed by the European regulation EASA (EU) 2019/947, which is harmonized across all EU countries.
France applies this framework through national decrees, including the “Espace” decree, updated in December 2025 and applicable from January 1, 2026.
👉 The regulation is now based on an analysis of the level of risk of the operation, rather than simply whether the flight is professional or recreational.
Our drone pilots hold RPCT and RPCC A2 & A1/A3 licences.
Our drones are certified in the following classes: C0, C1, C2, C5 and Unclassified.
Drone-Pictures offers its drone services in the following scenario categories: STS-01; A2; A1/A3.
2. The Two Main Categories for Professional Aerial Services
For professional aerial filming, photogrammetry, and inspections in populated or urban areas, there are two operational categories:
Open Category: low-risk operations with lighter constraints
Specific Category: moderate-risk operations with standard scenarios allowing wider permissions
3. Open Category – Low-Risk Flights
The Open Category allows flights with fewer constraints, provided that strict rules are followed.
This category is divided into subcategories based on the area flown over and the proximity to people.
Open Subcategories and Drone Classes
| Subcategory | Drone Classes | Principle |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | C0 C1 Unclassified ≤ 250 g | C0 or Unclassified ≤ 250 g: Flight possible above isolated individuals who are not involved, but never above a crowd C1: Flying over people is not permitted, unless it is unintentional and quickly stopped (never over a crowd) |
| A2 | C2 | Fly near people with a safety distance (30 m, or 5 m in low-speed mode <3 m/s) |
| A3 | C0 to C4 or Unclassified > 250 g (i.e. Inspire 2, Mavic 2 & 1, Phantom 3 & 4) | Fly at least 150 metres away from residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas. Fly at least 30 metres away from uninvolved persons or fly according to the 1:1 rule, or at a distance equal to the distance travelled by the drone in 2 seconds of flight (whichever is greater). |
Common Rules in the Open Category
Max altitude: 120 m
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) only
No night flights
No overflight of crowds
Respect controlled or restricted airspace and privacy laws
Major change in France (2026): Open category flights are allowed in urban areas
As of January 1, 2026, France now allows:
✅ Open Category flights in public spaces and urban areas,
as long as they have a professional purpose.
⚠️ However, any professional operation in a populated area—even under Open A1 or A2—must be:
– notified in advance to the relevant prefecture,
– with a minimum notice period of 10 working days.
👉 This change now makes some simple city-based services possible (real estate shots, corporate videos) while maintaining safety.
4. The SPECIFIC category – Moderate-risk flights
When Open Category conditions are insufficient (night flight, dual-operator drone, MTOM > 4 kg, dense environment, secure perimeter, operational constraints), the mission falls under the Specific category.
It requires:
- a regulatory declaration,
- C5-approved drones (with parachutes and FTS)
- remote pilots to hold RPCT certification allowing flights in scenarios STS-01 & 02 (professional training provided by a drone training centre approved by the civil aviation authorities)
🔹 STS-01 – Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) in Controlled Area
The STS-01 scenario is the main option for professional flights in or near populated areas. It is similar to the old French S3 scenario and allows night flights and the use of heavier drones than in Open category (e.g. Inspire 3).
Characteristics:
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
Controlled and secured ground area
Applicable in populated or urban areas
Class C5 drones required
Max altitude: 120 m
📌 In populated areas, a prefectural notification is mandatory, with a minimum 10 working day notice.
👉 STS-01 is typically used for:
urban video productions,
real estate in cities,
industrial sites and construction sites,
photogrammetry and building inspection.
🔹 STS-02 – Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) in Non-Populated Area
The STS-02 scenario is for technical operations and never applies to populated areas.
Characteristics:
BVLOS (programmed beyond visual line of sight)
Controlled airspace on the ground
Only outside populated zones
Class C6 drones required
Range up to 1 km (2 km with visual observers)
Max altitude: 120 m
👉 STS-02 is used for:
linear inspections,
large infrastructure surveillance,
rural or industrial sites.
❌ It is not suitable for urban video work or crowded areas or events (concerts, festivals, rave parties, …)
5. Administrative deadlines: an essential point for customers
In France, since January 2026, all professional flights in populated or urban areas (conurbations), whether in the Open or Specific category, require a prefecture notification with a minimum of 10 working days’ notice. This paperwork might be completed, if necessary, by others, depending on the flight zone: a protocol with an airport and/or air base, an area prohibited for aerial data capture (ZICAD), may sometimes apply, and the deadlines may be extended. It is best to take the first step and contact the drone operator as soon as possible to find out about these administrative requirements.
👉 The deadlines imposed by the administration or the military are non-negotiable and must be anticipated when planning a project and placing an order.
📌 We strongly recommend that customers contact us 3 weeks prior to any drone service in urban or populated area.
6. Professional drone pilot: what are the requirements?
Training & Certificates
For Open A1/A2/A3, pilots must complete required training and pass the corresponding exam (European certificate).
For the Specific operational category (STS-01/STS-02), a RPCT certificate is required (several days of theoretical and practical training + exam).
Old national certificates (CATT) are no longer valid after 2025.
Registration
Operators must register (e.g., via AlphaTango in France).
Each drone must display a visible registration number and often a Remote ID.
Other Rules to be observed
Respect for airspace (airports, military zones, restricted areas, etc.).
Civil liability insurance is mandatory.
Respect privacy laws and avoid capturing images of private individuals without consent.
7. EASA drone classes and scenario categories applicable in France
| Drone Class | Weight / Key Features | Applicable Scenarios | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ≤ 250 g, minimal restrictions, VLOS | Open A1 / A3 | Open A1: Flight authorised in populated and urban areas, above isolated individuals, away from crowds. Prefectural declaration mandatory in populated areas. Open A3: Flight more than 150 m away from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas. |
 | ≤ 900 g, remote ID, VLOS | Open A1 / A2 / A3 | May fly over isolated individuals (A1), near individuals (A2 with safety distance), outside inhabited areas (A3). Prefectural declaration required in populated areas. |
 | ≤ 4 kg, electronic identification + geo-fencing, VLOS | Open A2 / A3 | Open A2: Flying near people with a safety distance of 30 metres (5 metres in low speed mode < 3 metres per second). Mandatory prefectural declaration in populated areas. Open A3: Flying more than 150 metres away from residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas. |
 | ≤ 25 kg, electronic identification, VLOS | Open A3 | Fly at least 150 metres away from residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas. |
 | ≤ 25 kg, electronic identification, VLOS | Open A3 | Same use as C3, flights outside populated areas and conurbations. |
 | ≤ 25 kg, VLOS, advanced safety system (C5 Kit with parachute and circuit breaker) | STS-01 | Flying by sight during the day and at night, in controlled areas, including populated areas and urban areas. Mandatory prefectural declaration in populated areas. |
 | ≤ 25 kg, BVLOS authorised, advanced FTS safety system | STS-02 | Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights, only in unpopulated areas, ground-controlled areas (exclusion of third parties). Cannot fly over built-up areas or populated areas. |
Unclassified or built privately
| if ≤ 25 kg (Open A3 only) if ≤ 250 g (Open A1 & A3) | OPEN A1 / A3 | A3 if > 250g: Flight only outside populated or urban areas. A1 if ≤ 250g: Flight permitted in populated and urban areas, above isolated individuals, away from crowds. Prefectural declaration mandatory in populated areas. |
8. Summary
Drone aerial filming is now perfectly regulated and safe, but requires planning, expertise, and compliance with law.
Hiring a professional drone operator ensures your project is legal, secure, and well-executed.
| Situation | Subcategory | Drone Class | Prefectural Declaration? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-populated area, low risk (drone < 25kg according to Class) | Open A3 | C0 to C4 or Unclassified | ❌ No |
Populated area – simple professional mission (A1: drone < 900g – A2: drone < 4kg) | Open A1/A2 | C0 to C2 | ✅ 10 days |
Populated area / complex mission (dual-operator drone > 4kg, or night flight) | Specific STS-01 | C5 | ✅ 10 days |
| BVLOS flight in unpopulated areas / complex mission (drone < 25kg) | Specific STS-02 | C6 | ❌ No |
Point-by-point summary of the rules in force in France from January 2026.
DroneFAQ#01: Is it legal to film with a drone in France?
Yes. Aerial photography using drones is perfectly legal, provided it is carried out by a professional remote pilot who complies with current European and British regulations.
DroneFAQ#02: Can you film with a drone in towns or cities?
Yes, this is now possible, including in the Open category, if the assignment is professional (proof must be provided).
👉 However, prior notification to the local prefecture is mandatory, with a minimum of 10 working days’ notice.
DroneFAQ#03: Why is it sometimes necessary to plan several days in advance of a drone service?
Because:
- all professional flights in populated areas, in Open A1 or A2 or Specific (STS-01) categories, require a mandatory prefectural declaration 10 working days in advance since 2026.
⚠️ This deadline is imposed by regulations and does not depend on the drone pilot.
DroneFAQ#04: What is the difference between the Open category and the Specific category?
- Open: low-risk operations, simple missions, limited constraints
- Specific: moderate-risk operations, denser areas, secure perimeters, enhanced procedures
The choice depends on the location, environment and level of risk, the type of drone and its weight.
DroneFAQ#05: What is the Open category (A1, A2, A3)?
The Open category is divided into three sub-categories according to proximity to people:
- A1: above isolated individuals (never crowds)
- A2: close to people with a safe distance
- A3: far from any people or inhabited areas
👉 Since 2026, certain professional missions in cities have been allowed in Open Category, with a prior notification of 10 days to the local Prefecture
DroneFAQ#06: What is the STS-01 scenario?
STS-01 is the scenario for more demanding shoots because it allows night flights in all controlled airspace (subject to obtaining authorisation) and the use of heavier drones such as the two-operator Inspire 3 or the Matrice 300:
- Visual line of sight (VLOS)
- Controlled and secure ground zone
- Authorised in populated areas
- Class C5 drone mandatory
DroneFAQ#07: What is the STS-02 scenario?
STS-02 concerns specific technical operations:
- Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
- Only outside populated areas
- Class C6 drone mandatory
❌ It never allows filming in cities and is not used for conventional urban audiovisual production.
DroneFAQ#08: Can a drone fly over people?
- Never above a crowd or gathering.
- Sometimes above isolated individuals, depending on the category and class of the drone (which depends on its flight weight).
- In populated areas, ground safety measures are often required, establishing a safety perimeter to exclude third parties on the ground.
- The safety of third parties is always a priority.
DroneFAQ#09: Who handles the administrative paperwork?
The professional remote pilot:
- analyses regulatory feasibility,
- chooses the appropriate scenario based on requirements, the necessary drone, and their qualifications,
- completes the mandatory declarations,
- coordinates with the authorities if necessary.
👉 The customer does not need to take any action other than obtaining permission from the owner of the site to be filmed (image rights).
DroneFAQ#10: Why choose a registered professional drone pilot?
Because it guarantees:
- the legality of the service,
- the safety of people and property,
- appropriate civil liability insurance,
- and, as a result, no legal risk for the client.
Can't find the answer to your question?
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With Drone Pictures, you call upon a civilian drone operator, established since 2011 in Marseille, guaranteeing a high quality creative work. Our video productions and audiovisual services by drone, as well as our numerous clients, attest to our seriousness and our enthusiasm to always serve you better!