In short: every drone flight in Morocco requires an authorisation from the competent authorities, the DAI, and any film, commercial or TV shoot also needs approval from the Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM). Allow one week to 10 days. Importing a drone into Morocco requires a licence, so most foreign productions hire a local operator who provides the pilot, the aircraft and the permits. At Creatix Studio, aerial filming starts from 3,000 MAD.
Which authorisations do you need?
- DAI flight authorisation: required for every drone flight, whatever its duration or purpose.
- CCM approval: required in addition for any audiovisual production, from feature films to commercials, music videos and branded content.
- Site permissions: some locations, such as heritage sites, private estates or industrial sites, add their own conditions on top of the flight authorisation.
How long does it take?
Plan for one week to 10 days from the moment a complete application is filed. The application describes where and when you will fly, what you will film and who operates the drone, so locations and dates should be settled early. If your shooting dates move, a new application may be needed. We recommend contacting your drone operator at least two weeks before the shoot.
Can you bring your own drone?
Importing a drone into Morocco is subject to a licence and the process is long. For most productions it is neither practical nor necessary: a local operator already has professional aircraft on site, certified pilots and experience of the permit process. Your crew focuses on the creative work and avoids customs issues at the airport.
What to prepare before contacting an operator
- the list of locations, as precise as possible (addresses or map pins);
- your shooting dates and a backup date in case of strong wind;
- the type of shots you need: establishing shots, tracking shots, reveals, top-down views;
- delivery expectations: raw rushes, selected shots or an edited sequence, and the format your editor uses.
On the day of the shoot
For a professional production we work as a pair: a certified pilot in charge of the flight and safety, and a camera operator who frames the shots. We shoot in 4K with DJI Inspire 3 and Mavic 4 Pro drones, in colour profiles suited to grading, and coordinate closely with your director and ground crew.
Filming in the South
Ouarzazate, the Atlas and the desert are among the most requested locations for foreign productions. Heat, wind and low-angle light shape every desert shoot, so flights are usually planned early in the morning and late in the day. See our page on drone filming in Ouarzazate and Marrakech.
Budget
Aerial video starts from 3,000 MAD. The final price depends on the number of shooting days and locations, editing and travel from our base in El Jadida. Read more about drone filming in Morocco or request a free quote: we reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to film with a drone in Morocco?
Yes. Every flight requires a DAI authorisation, and any audiovisual production also needs approval from the Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM). Allow one week to 10 days.
Can a local operator apply for the permits on our behalf?
Yes. Creatix Studio prepares and files the DAI and CCM applications for the productions it works with.
Can we fly over cities or heritage sites?
Often yes, but city centres are usually controlled areas and some sites add their own conditions. Feasibility is checked for each location before the shoot.
How much notice do you need?
At least two weeks: one week to 10 days for the authorisations, plus a few days to agree locations and the shot list.