Criminal Penalties for Overflying Prohibited French Territory

In plain language

Flying your drone over a prohibited area in France can lead to a fine between €15,000 and €45,000, 6 months to 1 year in prison, and the confiscation of your drone.

Requirement as structured

Overflying a portion of French territory in violation of an overflight prohibition is punishable by a fine of 15,000 to 45,000 euros, six months to one year of imprisonment, and confiscation of the unmanned aircraft.

Original regulatory text

Faire survoler par un aéronef sans équipage à bord une portion du territoire français en violation d'une interdiction de survol est passible d'une amende de 15 000 à 45 000 euros, d'un emprisonnement de six mois à un an et de la confiscation de l'aéronef sans équipage à bord en vertu des articles L. 6232-12 et L. 6232-13 du code des transports.

Applies when

country

France

regulatory category

General