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Stricter drone control in Europe – How to check where you can fly in Belgium

Illegal drones are increasingly being detected

In recent weeks, drones have been spotted at sensitive locations across several European countries – from airports to energy infrastructures. In some cases, fingers were pointed towards Russia, although this remains unconfirmed.
What is clear is that governments are taking these incidents seriously. In Belgium too, drone surveillance is being tightened, especially near airports, military zones, ports, and border areas. In risk zones, authorities can now detect, intercept, or even disable drones more quickly.

What does this mean for regular drone pilots?

For both recreational and professional pilots, the rules remain the same — as long as you are properly registered and operate within the allowed zones.
However, it is now more important than ever to check before each flight whether you are allowed to fly and to request authorisation in time when operating in controlled or risk areas.

Step-by-step: how to check where you can fly in Belgium

1. Use the official Belgian drone map

Go to https://map.droneguide.be
This interactive map shows at a glance:

  • Green zones: free to fly under the Open category
  • Orange zones: specific conditions apply (altitude limits or prior authorisation)
  • Red zones: restricted or prohibited areas (CTR, military sites, nuclear plants…)

You can select either Open category or Specific category at the top, depending on your certification.

DroneGuide map

2. Check temporary restrictions (NOTAMs)

Some areas may be temporarily restricted for events, state visits, or military exercises.
Always check the NOTAMs via the
skeyes AIM-METEO briefing.
Alternatively, use
EAD Basic (EUROCONTROL) – free registration required.
If you need to operate in a controlled or military zone, submit your request via the
DAA planner.

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Flying a Drone in Belgium – Rules, Registration and FAQs (2026)

Drones are becoming increasingly popular in Belgium. They’re used for photography, video, inspections, mapping and even as a hobby. But many people still wonder: where can you fly, do you need to register, what are the rules, and what are the penalties if you don’t comply?

Vliegen met een drone in België kan een dure hobby worden als je de regels niet kent. Met boetes tot €10.000 en een verplichte registratie is een goede voorbereiding cruciaal.

This guide answers the most frequently asked questions about drone use in Belgium in 2026.

Looking for a worry-free drone solution?

Does the regulation seem complex, or do you want to ensure 100% legal, professional results for your business or project? At Droneview.be, we handle all the paperwork, flight permits, and insurance for you.

Explore our professional drone services →

Do I need to register my drone in Belgium?

Yes, in most cases.

Any drone with a camera or weighing more than 250 grams must be registered in the Drone Portal of the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (DGLV).

How to register your drone in Belgium

  1. Go to the official Drone Portal.
  2. Create an account or log in with your eID.
  3. Register yourself as an operator.
  4. Add your drone(s).
  5. You will receive a unique operator ID that must be displayed on your drone.

Even the light DJI Mini 4 Pro (249g) must be registered as soon as it has a camera.

Drone flying in Belgium

Where can you fly a drone in Belgium?

Belgium uses a system of geo-zones.

  • You may not fly over cities, airports, military areas or nature reserves.
  • The maximum altitude is 120 metres. For higher flights or specialized tasks like construction monitoring and periodic reporting, specific authorizations are required.
  • Keep a safe distance from people, buildings and roads.

For a full overview, read our article: Where can you fly with a drone in Belgium? All about geo-zones.

3D point cloud scan of an industrial site
Streamline your site management with accurate 3D mapping.

Can you film freely with a drone?

Not entirely.

  • For private use it’s usually fine, provided you respect privacy.
  • For public places or commercial purposes, GDPR applies. At Droneview, we operate strictly according to these privacy laws for projects like real estate photography.
  • For industrial environments, we combine legality with high-end data through site efficiency and digital surveys.

What are the rules for drones under 250 grams?

Drones under 250g, such as the DJI Mini series, fall into the least restrictive category.

  • No pilot license is required, but registration is mandatory (due to the camera).
  • While great for travel, these drones lack the sensors needed for professional tasks like thermal inspection of solar panels, where specialized industrial drones are necessary.

How high can you fly a drone in Belgium?

The maximum height is 120 metres.

Higher flights are only possible with special authorisation (SORA application). We regularly handle these permits for large-scale technical projects.

What are the penalties for breaking the rules?

Penalties can be heavy:

  • Flying in a no-fly zone: up to €10,000.
  • Flying without registration or license: €500 – €2,500.

What if a drone flies above my house or garden?

  1. Stay calm – you are not allowed to intervene yourself.
  2. Note details – time, drone type, and try to find the pilot.
  3. Report it to the local police if you feel your privacy is being violated.

Is drone insurance mandatory in Belgium?

Buying, renting or hiring a drone in Belgium

  • You can buy drones for personal use in stores.
  • You can rent a drone, but keep in mind insurance requirements and flight experience.
  • For professional projects, it’s often more cost-effective to hire a certified operator like DroneView.be. This eliminates the need for expensive equipment, software licenses, and time-consuming permit applications.

Do I need a drone license in Belgium?

It depends on the type of drone and the category of flight.

  • No license for drones under 250 g.
  • Online exam required for the Open Category (A1-A3).
  • Special flights often require STS or SORA authorisation.

Read our full guide: Drone licenses in Belgium: What each category allows you to do.

Conclusion

Drones open up exciting possibilities, but the administrative and technical burden for professional use is significant. Want to ensure you avoid risks and receive high-quality data?

At Droneview.be, our certified pilots deliver actionable data for construction and industry. Contact us for a free quote.

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When a Drone Federation Goes Silent – Our Experience with the Belgian Drone Federation

At DroneView.be, we strongly believe in collaboration within the Belgian drone sector. Professional pilots, training centers, insurers, and authorities all benefit from clear communication and united representation.
In early 2025, we decided to join the Belgian Drone Federation (BDF), convinced that an active federation could help move the sector forward.

Six months later, we regret to conclude that the federation appears to have gone completely silent.

Belgian Drone Federation

What Membership Should Offer

According to the BDF’s official website, an annual membership of €199 (excl. VAT) should include:

  • Representation and advocacy for the drone sector
  • Networking with fellow professionals and entrepreneurs
  • Four newsletters per year
  • Free access to webinars
  • Discounts on BDF events and Van Dessel drone insurance
  • First-line advice on Open A1/A3, Open A2 & Specific categories
  • Company listing on the BDF website
  • Invitations to PRO events and roundtable sessions

On paper, a solid offer for professional drone operators.

The Reality

Unfortunately, the reality is quite different.
Since joining in March 2025, we have only received an automatic payment confirmation — no newsletters, no invitations, no updates, no communication at all.
After several attempts to reach out — via email, social media, and directly to board members — we received no reply. Even simple questions went unanswered.

After six months, it seems clear that the federation has ceased to operate actively.

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Remote ID Beacon: the digital license plate for your drone

Introduction

More and more drone pilots hear the term Remote ID, but few know exactly what it means. Since 2024, a Remote ID beacon has become essential: a small module that acts as the digital license plate of your drone. In this article we explain how such a beacon works and why it is also the solution for older drones.

What is a Remote ID beacon?

A Remote ID beacon is a lightweight transmitter that you easily attach to your drone. The device continuously broadcasts important data via Bluetooth, such as:

  • your operator ID (the official registration number of the pilot),
  • the position and altitude of the drone,
  • the position of the pilot.

This allows anyone with the right app or scanner to immediately see who is flying and where.

How does it work in practice?

The beacon is completely stand-alone:

  • it has a built-in GPS antenna to determine its position,
  • a built-in rechargeable battery (lasting 8–16 hours) that you recharge via USB-C,
  • a simple mounting system with Velcro or tape so you can attach it to almost any drone.

You don’t need to modify your drone: the beacon does all the work itself.

Example: the Dronetag Beacon

One of the most popular models is the Dronetag Beacon:

  • weight: only 16 grams,
  • battery life: up to 16 hours,
  • user-friendly: settings via an app on your smartphone,
  • compliant with EU standards, fully legally approved.

Thanks to the built-in GNSS receiver you don’t need extra antennas or cabling.

Dronetag beacon

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3D Real Estate Scans – The New Standard in Property Presentations

In the fast-evolving world of real estate, standing still is not an option.
Potential buyers and tenants expect more than static photos and descriptions.
They want to get a realistic sense of a property before scheduling an in-person viewing.

3D real estate scans offer exactly that.
At DroneView.be, we use this technology to elevate property presentations to a higher level. This article explains how 3D scans work, what advantages they offer, and why they are quickly becoming the new standard in real estate marketing.

What is a 3D Visualisation of a Property?

A 3D visualisation is a virtual model of an existing building, created by capturing dozens to hundreds of aerial and façade images. These images are processed using specialised software such as WebODM to generate an accurate and detailed 3D model. The result is a digital twin of the property that provides far more insight than traditional media.

The visualisation consists of two key components:

  • 2D orthophoto: A scale-accurate top-down image of the property and its surroundings, offering a clear view of the layout and dimensions.
  • 3D model: An interactive representation that visitors can rotate, zoom and explore on any device, providing a 360° virtual tour directly from your own website.


Example of an interactive 3D visualisation of a villa
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From 1,750 Drone Images to 3D: How Drone Mapping is Revolutionizing Mining

Introduction: The Power of Drone Mapping

At DroneView.be, we do more than capture spectacular aerial photos. We transform drone imagery into measurable, actionable data for our clients. Traditional inspections and land surveys, especially across vast areas like quarries, are time-consuming, risky, and often inaccurate. Our recent project in a quarry perfectly illustrates how drone mapping streamlines this process. From 1,750 individual photos, we created an interactive 3D model, enabling the client to easily perform volume calculations and efficiently manage the site.

Case Study: Precision in the Quarry

The Project: Our client, a quarry operator, needed an accurate, up-to-date overview for material management and strategic planning. Covering more than 100 hectares, manual surveying was impossible. DroneView.be conducted a series of automated drone flights, resulting in a dataset of 1,750 images.

Our Approach: Mission Flights

For a site of this size, preparation is crucial. We plan about ten mission flights, partly from the office and partly on-site. Each flight is carefully configured to systematically capture the entire area with proper overlap. The structured pattern ensures that all images can later be seamlessly processed into one complete 3D model in WebODM.

Mission flight planned and currently in progress

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Why Older Solar Panel Installations Are at Risk – and How Thermal Imaging Makes a Difference

Solar panels are built to last, but that doesn’t mean they keep performing at their best. Especially older installations (10+ years) are more likely to suffer from hidden defects, reduced output, or even safety issues. A thermal drone inspection offers a fast and safe way to detect these problems.

Older panels: weak or missing bypass diodes

Modern solar panels come with bypass diodes that help redirect current around faulty cells or zones. But older panels — often pre-2010 — don’t always have them, or they no longer function properly.

  • Some panels have no bypass diodes at all.

  • Others have cheap or damaged diodes after years of use.

  • Some were poorly designed, so the diode doesn’t activate as it should.

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Clear communication in every drone flight – DroneView.be

When we operate our drones on-site, the focus often goes straight to the technology: the cameras, the flight planning, and the images we capture. But just as important is the way we communicate – with clients, bystanders, and the environment. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings, builds trust, and ensures that a drone flight runs smoothly and safely.

Preparation: clarity from the start

Before carrying out a flight, we coordinate precisely with the client on the objectives and our approach. That may sound obvious, but this clarity also helps during execution: everyone knows what will happen, and why. When bystanders ask questions, we can immediately refer to the concrete assignment.

Working visibly and recognizably

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FPV Drones: DIY, Technology, and the Future

15 years ago: my first steps as a drone builder

Fifteen years ago, I started as an enthusiastic hobbyist building my own FPV drone. I personally milled lightweight carbon frames on a small CNC machine and assembled all components: a basic camera, a video transmitter, and small electric motors. With an FPV headset on my head, I flew – still quite inexperienced – across the landscape, seeing the world as if I were flying myself. That first self-built drone experience gave me an incredible thrill and laid the foundation for my passion for FPV drones.

What are FPV drones?

FPV stands for First Person View and means that, as a drone pilot, you receive live images directly from the drone’s camera. In the early days, this usually happened via an analog video link, with a small transmitter on the drone and a receiver built into the goggles or monitor. This way, you experience the flight as if you are inside the drone – something drone enthusiasts describe as a unique, almost bird-like sensation. Although technology has advanced enormously since then, the core feeling remains the same: flying in real time through the eyes of your aircraft.

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Why We Choose the DJI Inspire 2 with Zenmuse X5S: Flexible, Powerful, and Perfectly Suited for Every Mission

At DroneView.be, we deploy drones daily for a wide variety of tasks—from technical inspections and construction site monitoring to real estate showcases and creative projects. One of our most versatile combinations is undoubtedly the DJI Inspire 2 with the Zenmuse X5S camera. With two carefully selected lenses—the Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2.0 and the Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8—we get the most out of every flight.

Professional Quality with the DJI Inspire 2 and Zenmuse X5S

The DJI Inspire 2 is more than a drone—it’s a professional aerial platform. Paired with the Zenmuse X5S, we have a powerful Micro Four Thirds camera with interchangeable lenses, delivering ultra-sharp images at 20.8 MP and up to 5.2K video in CinemaDNG or Apple ProRes. Ideal for clients who demand uncompromising quality.

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