Drone rules for estate agents: can you fly one yourself?
Yes, an estate agent in Belgium may film a property with a drone themselves, provided they follow the European rules: registration as a drone operator, an EASA certificate that matches the drone and the distance to people, a maximum height of 120 metres, outside prohibited geozones, insured and respecting the neighbours' privacy. In residential areas, the distance to bystanders is usually the sticking point.
Updated in October 2026. This is a practical summary, not legal advice. Always check the official sources at the bottom of this page.
1. Registering as a drone operator
It is the operator that is registered, not the drone. Registration is mandatory for drones of 250 grams or more, and also for lighter drones with a camera. A drone used for real estate always needs it.
- Online via the Drone Portal of the Directorate-General for Civil Aviation (FPS Mobility and Transport), with eID or itsme; companies via CSAM
- Registration is free
- The operator number must be visible and legible on every drone
2. The right certificate: A1/A3 or A2
Real estate shoots almost always fall under the open category: low risk, below 120 metres, with the drone in sight and never over a crowd. Which subcategory applies depends on the drone and on the distance to people who are not involved in the flight.
- A1, over people: light drones of class C0 (under 250 grams) or C1. Flying over bystanders is allowed, but never over a crowd. A C1 drone requires the online A1/A3 exam (40 questions, 75% to pass).
- A2, close to people: class C2 drones. At least 30 metres horizontal distance from bystanders, or 5 metres in low-speed mode. This requires the additional A2 certificate.
- A3, far from people: heavier drones. You stay at least 150 metres away from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.
For a house in a street or housing estate this means, in practice: a light class C0 or C1 drone, or a C2 drone with the A2 certificate. With A3 alone you usually cannot fly in a residential area.
3. Geozones: can you fly at this address?
Belgium has geographical zones where drones are restricted or prohibited, for example around airports, military sites and in parts of Brussels. The official map is Droneguide by skeyes, Belgium's air traffic control.
- Look up the address in Droneguide and read the access conditions of each zone
- For controlled airspace, request access via the skeyes Drones & Aerial Activities platform
- Allow extra preparation time if the property is in a restricted zone
4. Height, line of sight and insurance
- Maximum 120 metres above the ground, with the drone always in direct sight
- Drop nothing and never fly over a crowd
- Flying higher, beyond line of sight or over a crowd falls outside the open category and needs separate authorisation
- The Belgian rules (Royal Decree of 8 November 2020) require liability insurance; the policy number is asked for during registration
5. Privacy of residents and neighbours
Drone footage showing recognisable people falls under privacy law (GDPR). Only film the property you were hired for, avoid unnecessary footage of neighbouring gardens and blur number plates and faces before you publish. Our free photo blurring tool does this in your browser.
Checklist for every property flight
- Operator registered and number on the drone
- Certificate matches the drone and the distance to bystanders (A1 or A2 in a residential area)
- Address checked in Droneguide, permission requested where needed
- Insurance in order
- Weather and wind checked
- Residents and neighbours informed, no recognisable people in shot
Do it yourself or outsource?
Flying yourself takes a drone of the right class, the certificate, insurance and an airspace check for every job. On top of that come the editing and the formats for Immoweb, Zimmo and social media. That is why many agencies outsource it.
Elevate Immo Visuals takes care of all of it: we check the airspace, request permission where needed, fly as a registered and insured drone operator and deliver the edited visuals within 48 hours.