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French Polynesia

Oceania

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.

Max altitude

120 m

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.

Operator registration

Yes, required

Mandatory on AlphaTango, the same portal used in mainland France.

Pilot license

Yes, required

Online A1/A3 certificate (open category), through the French civil aviation training portal.

Zones to avoid

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, a declaration to the High Commission (via AlphaTango or email) is required at least 5 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)

Open official site

Last checked: 2026-08

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Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.