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By Theo Pozzolini • Published on

Mandatory filming authorization criteria: your complete guide to navigating the permit maze (5 key steps)

Mandatory filming authorization criteria: your complete guide to navigating the permit maze (5 key steps)

Introduction

Mandatory filming authorization criteria don't exist as a single national rule. The 10-person crew threshold in Paris is just one of dozens of local variables. Your permit depends entirely on your specific location and project scope.

As an industry insider, I’ve structured this guide into 7 precise sections to cut through the decentralized bureaucracy. You’ll learn the hidden benefit of correctly classifying your shoot as an AGATE or a prior declaration, saving weeks of processing time.

The cost of misclassification is severe: fines for contravention de grande voirie, immediate shutdowns, and legal complaints from municipalities. A late submission—under the critical 15-day minimum—guarantees rejection.

What 4 criteria definitively choose your permit type?

How do you embed these criteria into a 5-step submission checklist?

What 3 costly pitfalls cause immediate application failure?

This analysis is built on the latest 2026 administrative decrees and municipal frameworks, from Paris AGATE to Montpellier’s e-services. We’ll move from the fragmented legal reality to your actionable, step-by-step authorization plan.

Your roadmap through the permit maze takes 8 minutes to read. Let’s get your shoot the green light. 🎬

Why there's no single 'mandatory' permit (and what you really need)

Contrary to a common assumption, there is no single, nationwide "mandatory filming authorization" in France. The legal framework is decentralized, meaning each filming location requires a specific authorization. The type of permit you need—ranging from a simple written agreement to a formal, paid authorization—is determined by the site, the nature of your project, and its duration. The criteria you must meet are embedded directly within the application procedures of each local authority or public domain manager. For a broader overview of the filming landscape in France, consult our practical guide to filming in France.

Agate vs. prior declaration: the 4 criteria that decide your permit type

Navigating French filming permits starts with understanding the two primary pathways: the AGATE permit and the Prior Declaration. Your project's specific characteristics will dictate which one applies, based on four key criteria.

Criterion AGATE Prior Declaration
Crew Size ≥10 persons (in Paris, the benchmark location) <10 persons or very light operations
Location & Impact Public spaces requiring coordination (parks, major squares) Public highway with no occupation of the domain
Equipment Heavy (cranes, generators, large lighting rigs) Handheld camera or tripod only
Duration Multi-day shoots Short, non-disruptive filming

For example, a commercial shoot with a 12-person crew and a camera car in a Parisian park requires an AGATE permit. A documentary team of three filming interviews on a sidewalk with minimal gear would file a Prior Declaration. This distinction is crucial, as the AGATE process involves dual approval from the local town hall (Mairie) and the police prefecture (Préfecture de Police), while a Prior Declaration is typically handled solely by the local municipality. For a detailed comparison between AGATE and Prior Declaration, explore our dedicated analysis.

The 5-step submission checklist: how to embed your criteria correctly

Once you've identified your permit type, the application process is where you formally demonstrate that your project meets the necessary criteria. Following a structured checklist is non-negotiable to avoid delays or rejection. Industry advisors consistently stress that "a complete and early dossier is the most reliable predictor of a smooth authorization process."

Here is your 5-step submission checklist:

  1. Determine the Correct Authority & Portal. For AGATE in Paris, use the dedicated Mairie de Paris platform. For Prior Declarations or AGATE equivalents elsewhere, identify the specific online form or contact for the local mairie or metropolitan service (e.g., Montpellier Métropole eServices).
  2. Prepare the Mandatory Core Dossier. This universally includes:
  • Project title, director, and production company details.
  • Estimated budget and precise filming dates/times.
  • Valid production insurance certificate.
  • A synopsis or script excerpt.
  1. Detail Project-Specific Criteria. Embed your compliance by explicitly listing:
  • Exact number of technicians and cast.
  • Full inventory of material (lighting, vehicles, special equipment).
  • For AGATE: Justify the need for a crew of 10 or more and the use of heavy equipment.
  1. Submit with a Legal Time Buffer. Applications must be submitted 15 to 30 working days in advance, as per common municipal deadlines (e.g., Troyes requires 15 days, Villeneuve-la-Garenne 30 days). Never submit later than the minimum.
  2. Plan for On-Site Compliance. For Prior Declarations, you are often legally required to display the authorization on-site 48 hours before filming begins. Have copies readily available for any authority.

Agate or prior decl.: your criteria checklist for each scenario

To move from theory to action, use these tailored checklists to ensure your application aligns perfectly with the authority's expectations for each permit type.

3 costly pitfalls that derail filming permits (and how to avoid them)

If your project triggers the need for an AGATE permit, your application must comprehensively address these points:

  • Production Status: Proof of registered production company.
  • Crew Scale: Clear justification for a team of 10 persons or more.
  • Insurance: Certificate with sufficient coverage for complex shoots on public domain.
  • Script Detail: A detailed synopsis outlining scenes, actions, and any simulated activity requiring safety oversight.
  • Equipment Disclosure: Full transparency on all heavy equipment (generators, cranes, drones) with proposed safety and traffic management plans.

Who to contact and when: your direct line for complex cases

For a lighter shoot qualifying for a Prior Declaration, focus on demonstrating minimal impact:

  • No Public Domain Occupation: Affirmation that no public space will be cordoned off or occupied.
  • Minimal Disruption: Assurance of no anticipated traffic or neighborhood nuisance.
  • Neighbor Notifications: If filming involves private property visible from public space, evidence of resident notifications may be required.
  • Liability Insurance: Standard certificate covering public liability.
  • Permit Display: Commitment to display the received authorization on-site 48 hours prior to filming, as mandated by many municipalities like Montpellier.

From criteria to authorization: your action plan and when to seek expert guidance

Even with the right criteria, applications fail due to avoidable procedural errors. Based on common issues highlighted by municipal guides and legal analyses, here are the three most frequent and costly pitfalls.

  1. Pitfall: Submitting Too Late. Submitting an application less than 15 working days before your shoot date is the fastest route to rejection. Municipalities like Troyes and Villeneuve-la-Garenne have fixed processing times; they are not advisory.
  • How to Avoid: Mark your calendar. The submission deadline is your first production milestone. Aim for the 30-day window whenever possible.
  1. Pitfall: Incomplete Dossier. Omitting key documents—most commonly the insurance certificate or a required synopsis—results in an immediate "incomplete" status, pausing the review clock and jeopardizing your timeline.
  • How to Avoid: Use the checklists in Sections 3 and 4 as a master document list. Cross-reference with the specific requirements on the local authority's website before final submission.
  1. Pitfall: Proceeding Without Authorization. Filming without a permit or after a refusal can lead to serious sanctions. As noted by the Banque des Territoires, municipalities can issue fines for "contravention de grande voirie" (violation of public domain rules), and affected parties can file property violation complaints, potentially halting production and incurring significant legal costs.
  • How to Avoid: Never assume implied consent. Only begin filming once you have the formal, written authorization in hand. If your project is complex, seek expert guidance early to navigate gray areas.

Who to contact and when: your direct line for complex cases

For standard procedures, always start with the local authority's published channels. However, for complex cases—such as shoots in multiple jurisdictions, with significant logistical impact, or involving historical sites—direct contact is key.

  • For AGATE & Major Projects: Contact the Mairie de Paris (AGATE service) or the relevant regional Film France commission for initial scoping. The Préfecture de Police is involved in the approval chain for Paris.
  • For Local Prior Declarations & Clarifications: Reach out to the specific department handling filming, often the Direction de la Communication or a Bureau d'Accueil des Tournages within the local mairie (e.g., Ville de Troyes, Montpellier Métropole).

Contact these entities during the project planning phase, not after your application is submitted, to clarify ambiguities in local criteria.

From criteria to authorization: your action plan and when to seek expert guidance

Your path from understanding criteria to securing authorization is clear: 1) Diagnose your project against the 4 key criteria (crew, location, equipment, duration) to choose between AGATE and Prior Declaration. 2) Meticulously assemble your dossier using the tailored checklist for your permit type. 3) Submit to the correct authority 15-30 working days in advance. 4) Proceed only with written approval in hand.

This guide provides the universal framework, but the nuances of local decrees, unique locations, or high-stakes projects often demand personalized navigation. When facing tight deadlines, large crews, or intricate legal requirements, seeking expert guidance can transform a regulatory maze into a streamlined process.

Conclusion

You've navigated the complex framework of filming authorizations, moving from the initial realization that there is no single national permit to a clear, actionable understanding of the two main pathways: the AGATE authorization for significant productions and the Prior Declaration for lighter operations. You now possess the specific criteria checklists and the 5-step submission process to embed them correctly, transforming abstract requirements into a concrete action plan.

With this roadmap, your next project can bypass the common pitfalls of late submission or incomplete dossiers. You're equipped to secure the necessary approvals within the standard 15 to 30-day window, ensuring your production starts on a foundation of legal security and administrative compliance, not last-minute panic.

Remember, the procedural clock starts ticking the moment you finalize your script and locations. The cost of inaction isn't just a delayed shoot; it's the risk of contraventions, location loss, and the complete derailment of your production timeline and budget. A single oversight in your criteria checklist can trigger a refusal, setting you back weeks.

Before you finalize your submission, ask yourself these three critical questions:

  • Does my crew size and equipment list definitively place me in the AGATE or Prior Declaration category?
  • **Have I accounted for the specific, often unstated, criteria of every municipality on my shooting list?
  • Is my liability insurance certificate aligned with the exact dates and locations, and does it meet the minimum coverage required?

You are now ahead of the curve. The perceived complexity of navigating decentralized municipal rules is now a manageable process you can control. For projects where the stakes are high—tight deadlines, multiple unique locations, or intricate logistical needs—leveraging expert guidance can be the decisive factor between a smooth authorization and a costly administrative snag.

Ready to move from planning to permission? Use your new criteria checklist to prepare your dossier, then consult our complete step-by-step permit application procedure to submit with confidence. 🎬**

""I really can't recommend this team highly enough. They are the best fixers we have worked with, hands down.""
James Mcauley
Washington Post
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