According to the Direction Générale du Trafic Aérien (DGTA), it is normally forbidden to fly your drone in public space, particularly over and around inhabited areas of towns and cities. Authorizations issued by the DGTA clearly state that "it is the responsibility of (the applicant) to ensure that he/she has applied for and obtained all necessary authorizations, approvals and derogations to be able to undertake the operations envisaged".

To film images using a drone, you therefore need authorization from the DGTA and from the communes concerned, which are competent to authorize take-off, landing and filming in public space.

1. Obtain an authorization from DGTA; Directorate General of Air Traffic(FPS - Federal Public Service for Mobility and Transport ). Via: Authentication FPS Mobility and Transport (fgov.be)
2. Obtain authorization from the city/commune administrative authority.

The organizer :

• Must provide exact timing and geolocation.
• Will be responsible for each flight.
• Must respect everyone's privacy.
• The drone must remain in sight of the pilot at all times during the flight.
• Must maintain a safety distance of 50m from any person, crowd or property, as flying over people is forbidden.
• For landing and take-off: a safety perimeter must be set up with material measures.
• No flying in controlled airspace, over high-risk areas such as industrial sites, nuclear facilities, prisons, embassies, national and supranational institutions and other places on a list drawn up by the police.
• Flying over roads is prohibited.

The following activities with drones are prohibited by DGTA:

• Flights out of sight of the pilot or one of the two RPA observers.
• Flights above 300ft of 90m.
• Night flights.
• Transport of passengers.
• Transport of letters or cargo.
• Flights in air corridors.
• Throwing objects or spraying products during flight.
• Towing.
• Aerobatics and formation flying.

General regulations

Royal Decree - APRIL 10, 2016. - Royal Decree on the use of remotely piloted aircraft in Belgian airspace - publication 2016-04-15.

The regulations are not available in English. You can find them here in French: mobilit.belgium.be/fr/aviation/voler-en/drones-uas/categorie-specific/scenarios-standards. If you have any questions on this, please do not hesitate to contact us.