Oceania
French Polynesia
SEAC — EASA (EU) Regulation with local additions
French Polynesia has applied the EASA drone regulation since 2020, with additional local rules. Flying over populated areas, crowded beaches and any public place with people is forbidden; near airports a prior authorization is required at least 8 days in advance.
Standard EASA limit of 120 m, but the entire 0-120 m band remains subject to local prohibitions or restrictions across the whole territory: it's not a free ceiling up to that altitude.
Mandatory on AlphaTango, the same portal used in mainland France.
Online A1/A3 certificate (open category), through the French civil aviation training portal.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden to fly over bystanders, crowded beaches, rivers/parks/beaches in populated areas, and any public place with people. Near airports or control zones, prior authorization from the local air navigation service (Clearance app) is required at least 8 days in advance. To fly in a populated area (agglomération, defined by arrêté n°HC779 of 23/05/2025), a declaration to the High Commission (via AlphaTango or email) is required at least 10 days in advance.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
No insurance requirement is stated on the official page consulted: neither confirmed nor ruled out, so left out here. The official 'Dronix' map was unavailable at the time of verification; the 'Te Fenua' portal remains the reference for populated-area zones.
Verify officially before flying
Source: SEAC — Service d'État de l'Aviation Civile en Polynésie française (French Polynesia's State Civil Aviation Service)
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For French Polynesia, the official reference remains SEAC — Service d'État de l'Aviation Civile en Polynésie française (French Polynesia's State Civil Aviation Service). Mandatory on AlphaTango, the same portal used in mainland France.
How this usually works
In most systems, the pilot license (or "certificate") is a theory exam, often entirely online and free, covering the basics: airspace, safety distances, privacy. It's nothing like a driving license, but it's still a legal requirement. Most systems have more than one level: an entry-level exam for flights further from people and built-up areas, and a more thorough one if you want to fly closer. The certificate is usually valid for a few years before it needs renewing. The exam and certificate are handled by SEAC — Service d'État de l'Aviation Civile en Polynésie française (French Polynesia's State Civil Aviation Service). Online A1/A3 certificate (open category), through the French civil aviation training portal.
Other countries in Oceania
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.