A drone project is more than a free patch of sky
Professional drone flights in Belgium fall under European rules and Belgian implementing conditions. We assess whether a project is feasible per location and per flight. This overview shows which factors come into play.
Last reviewed on 29 September 2026. This overview is for information only and does not replace official regulations or legal advice. The official sources listed at the bottom remain authoritative.
European categories
The European rules (EU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945) classify drone operations by risk.
- Open category (A1/A2/A3): lower risk, within fixed conditions. A maximum height of 120 metres, the drone always in sight, with minimum distances from uninvolved persons according to subcategory A1, A2 or A3.
- Specific category: for flights outside those conditions, such as in an urban environment close to uninvolved persons. This requires a declaration based on a standard scenario (STS) or an operational authorisation based on a SORA risk assessment.
- Certified category: the highest risk level, comparable to manned aviation.
The category does not depend on whether an assignment is paid. It is determined by the location, the aircraft, the distance from people, the height and the line of sight. HOVVR flies in the Open category and also holds an operational authorisation in the Specific category based on a SORA risk assessment.
Belgian geozones
Belgium uses geographical UAS zones in which flights are prohibited, restricted or subject to conditions. A location that looks straightforward can still require coordination because it is close to an airport, a heliport, a military zone, a prison, a port, critical infrastructure or a temporary restriction. The zones are shown on the official Droneguide map.
Around the airports of Antwerp, Brussels, Charleroi, Liège and Ostend, skeyes manages the airspace, divided into zones based on distance from the runway. Applications are made through the skeyes DAA application, with these minimum lead times:
| Zone | Location | Submit no later than |
|---|---|---|
| VLL0 | Above and immediately next to the runways | 15 days in advance |
| VLL1 | Above and near the airport | 8 days in advance |
| VLL2 | Further from the airport | 3 hours in advance |
Military zones, port areas and other zones have their own procedures and lead times. Read what those lead times mean for your planning.
Registration, training and insurance
A professional operator must be registered, use certified pilots, keep operational documentation and be insured in accordance with EU Regulation 785/2004. HOVVR arranges this for its own flights (operator ID BELc1t7ql1xl7t4p) and tells you in advance what information or cooperation is needed.
People, surroundings and safety
Uninvolved persons, traffic, buildings and obstacles all help determine the approach. Sometimes flying outside busy hours or within a cordoned-off zone is enough. Sometimes a different aircraft, a different take-off position, an additional observer or a specific permission is needed.
Privacy and data protection
Drone imagery can unintentionally contain personal data. The purpose must therefore be clear, and the operation takes account of data minimisation, information for local residents, secure processing, restricted access and a fixed retention period. Read our privacy policy.
How we assess feasibility
- Exact location, object and required flying height
- Purpose, sensor and viewing angles needed
- Geozones, airspace and temporary restrictions
- People, traffic, buildings and obstacles
- Privacy, nature and local sensitivities
- Category, documentation and permissions
- Weather, light and sensor conditions
Frequently asked questions
Can HOVVR guarantee in advance that a flight will go ahead?
An initial feasibility check clarifies a great deal. Temporary airspace restrictions, the weather and the conditions on site remain decisive until the moment of the flight.
Does the client have to apply for permission?
No. HOVVR handles the operational preparation and the airspace permissions. You remain responsible for the permission to have the location or object captured and for correct project information.
Is a paid flight automatically in the Specific category?
No. The category depends on risk and conditions, not on whether the assignment is paid.
When is a flight postponed?
When regulations, permissions, weather, safety, privacy or data quality are not in order. The No Take-Off Policy takes precedence over the schedule.
Send the address, timing and purpose
We will make an initial assessment of feasibility and of the permissions required.