What are the drone laws in Belgium?
Besides these right here, specific drone laws are depending on what class of pilot and drone there are involved. More on that below, to see where you fit.
Keep away from Industrial
Don't fly over crowds
3 km from airports
Line of sight
Unlike other countries in the region, Belgium does not have a specific set of rules governing drones and their use. It, however, has three classes of operation, each requiring a special license.
Drones are instead put into classes. Rather than categorize the drone as recreational or commercial, the yardstick here is much different. Very strict controls and standards of operation are required of every drone user.
Yes. Drone flying is legal in Belgium according to the national travel and aviation authorities. The Belgium Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) and the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (FPS) recommend self-awareness with drone regulations.
Contact information
The best place to get in touch with the BCAA is by contacting them at:
Yes, you can. Start by registering for the Belgian aviation register. If the drone is already registered in another country, there will be no need for that. More rules on how Belgian laws apply to foreigners with drones are available here:
Besides these right here, specific drone laws are depending on what class of pilot and drone there are involved. More on that below, to see where you fit.
So where does my drone lie according to Belgian law? In which category? The criteria that determine your drone is dependent on the weight and purpose of use.
This is the low-risk category for users:
This is the moderate-risk drone category where users:
This category is of high risk. That being so, users:
Any other operation missing from this list should be regarded as a class A operation.
It's still not clear at the moment given conflicting opinions.
Yes. This is regarded as private land. However, you must ensure you are in adherence to other BCAA flight requirements.
Whatever your criteria for drones, the transport of mail, cargo, and people is prohibited.
Unless you have the right authorization and are operating under the right class of drone classification, this is not allowed.
Fill out this registration form online and submit it to bcaa.registration@mobilit.fgov.be.
Apply for a remote pilot license from BCAA. You will undergo a test consisting of a theoretical and practical course conducted by a licensed examiner from BCAA. This license is meant for remote pilots within the class 1a and b categories.
Eligibility criteria are simple. Are you over 18 years old? Have you undergone a medical evaluation from the following facilities? If the answer to both questions is yes, then you can apply for a drone pilot license. Additionally, please note that there may be a pilot license cost associated with obtaining the license.
A 50-question theory test on Metrology, Belgium Air Laws, Aircraft Technology, General Flight Operations, and Privacy rights.
You must select a certified RPAS flight school operating in Belgium that offers training. Here are some of the top selections.
As soon as you are ready to register, proceed to rpas.exam@mobilit.fgov.be and pick a suitable exam day. The exams are normally done at DGAS.
Score anything above 75 percent and you are good to go.
A certificate of competence is a license for any pilot within the class 2 category. It is also issued by BCAA and requires the user to pass a theoretical exam and a practical skill test issued by the same body. A certificate of competency comprises:
The certification lasts for a lifetime. However, if you lose it, you have to repeat the whole process once more.
For further exam-related information, reach out to rpas.lic@mobilit.fgov.be
Not always. For instance, operating a drone on private terrain or model aircraft terrain exempts the user from registering the drone or seeking flight approval from BCAA.
All other cases of drones particularly class 2, 1a, and 1b need to adhere to the Royal Decree requirements of:
Belgium has specific drone-exempt areas that have been expressed on a flight map. Before flying, run a check to avoid flying your drone in a restricted area. You can find out more about that by contacting droneguide@skeyes.be
Get the maps here on Apple and Android.
Keep away from:
As a remote pilot you should ensure:
Yes, but check with the airline to find out what their flight requirements are. For instance, some do not allow carrying a drone on board if the batteries are not detached and placed in a special fire case.
If the airline has a battery voltage limit, you will be forced to abide by it. More information on this can be found here
No license is required provided your operation falls within the Private use and Model aircraft designations.
Absolutely. The severity of the penalty or punishment relayed for contravening the drone laws will depend on just how off you missed the mark. The judge will try to ascertain whether you committed the offense deliberately or within your scope of commercial operation.
My following two recommendations are 2 great compact drones that are quite silent and also small enough to travel with and not stand out as annoying.
4k
31 min
10 km
No follow-me
DJI has surprised us with this incredible camera drone under 250g, which is legal to fly in most countries without registration.
It comes at a very cheap price for its incredible specs.I have covered it much more in-depth in my article review and even compared it with the Mavic Air 2.
4k 60p
34 min
10 km
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If you want more control over things like shutter speed, iso, and such, the best professional drone that still falls under the 500g category is the DJI Mavic Air.
It's made mostly for people who want to play around with settings and enter into the pro category.
DJI lowered its price since it was first released.
The best way to figure out what areas you can fly in is by consulting the DJI official map.
They do a great job mapping the places that one should avoid while flying in every country:
If you are considering visiting Belgium, make sure you’ve learned all the dos and don’ts of flying drones in this region. This will help you have a safe journey and enjoy flying your drone without getting yourself into trouble.
Also, keep in mind that, commercial and recreational drones are treated differently in most countries therefore you will need to prepare yourself accordingly. Last but not least, always follow rules and regulations and make sure to respect the laws of every country.