Plan

Travel check

Taking your drone on holiday? Pick your destination – Hoverpoint puts together from the country rules what you need to know and do before you travel.

DestinationDrone from your hangar (optional)

I live in an EASA state (EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)

France

EASA area

Last checked: October 5, 2026

Am I allowed to fly there?

Basic rule

Allowed

Operator registration

Required

Required from 250 g or with a camera or sensor; registration in your country of residence is valid throughout the EASA area – with a German operator ID you do not need a second one.

Your registration from your EASA state of residence is valid here – you don't need a second one.

Competency certificate

Your EU competency certificate (e.g. A1/A3 or A2) is recognised here.

Insurance

Unclear

The DGAC does not state a general requirement for recreational flights; check that your liability insurance covers drone damage in France.

Remote ID & marking

EU rule: your operator ID must be visible on every drone; drones with a C1, C2 or C3 label broadcast it via Remote ID.

Maximum altitude

120 m

Special rules

For tourists

You may fly in France with your home-country operator ID and EU competency certificate. From 800 g, the drone itself must also be registered on AlphaTango and carry a French electronic signalling device. In built-up areas, flying over public space is prohibited in the open category, and night flights are only allowed with an exemption from the prefecture.

Authority & sources

Ministère de la Transition écologique – Exploitation de drones en catégorie ouverteofficial

Open country rules →

Does my drone fit?

Pick a drone from your hangar above to check its weight and class against the country's limits.

Country weight thresholds

From 800 g· Operator registration: RequiredFrom 800 g, the drone itself must also be registered on AlphaTango and carry a French electronic signalling device (signalement électronique) – this also applies to visitors.

Batteries on the plane

Spare batteries in hand luggage only – each one protected against short circuits (terminal caps, original packaging or its own bag).
Up to 100 Wh: no approval needed.
Over 100 up to 160 Wh: only with the airline's approval, at most 2 spare batteries.
Over 160 Wh: not allowed on passenger aircraft.

Watt-hours (Wh) per batteryPrinted on the battery, e.g. "77 Wh".Spare batteries

Enter your battery's Wh – they are printed on the battery.

Airline

Pick your airline to see its rules for drones, batteries and power banks.

Airlines may be stricter – pick your airline below to see its rules.

Source: IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations / Lithium Battery Guidance

To do before you leave

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Ask the authorityNot everything is settled in the country rules. Ask the aviation authority of your destination before you travel.
Check your insuranceAsk your liability insurer whether you are covered in your destination (cover abroad) and take proof with you.
Carry your documents digitallyCompetency certificate, registration and insurance at hand – for example in your EFB in Hoverpoint.Carry your documents digitally →
Check the geozonesHoverpoint shows the official geozones for this country on the map. Look at your flying spots beforehand.Check the geozones →
Download an offline mapDownload the map of your destination in the Hoverpoint app in advance in case you have no signal there.
Get your batteries travel-readyTape the terminals or pack each one separately, spares in hand luggage, keep the Wh label readable.

Your ticks are only saved on this device – per country.

The travel check is not legal advice and not official information – laws change and we cannot guarantee that everything is fully up to date. The aviation authority of your destination is authoritative. Please also check the official source before you travel.