Can I put up a camera that films the street?
Only your own property — otherwise you fall fully under GDPR. A camera at your home is allowed, but the rule is simple and strict: it may capture only your own property — your yard, your entrance, your parking space. While the field of view stays within your boundary, the household exemption applies and data-protection law does not. Point the camera at a neighbour's property, at the street or at a shared pavement, and you lose that exemption and become a data controller under GDPR. You then need a lawful basis, a sign informing people that recording takes place, a limited retention period — and anyone captured has the right to request a copy, erasure, or to object to being filmed. Enforcement is by the data-protection commission.
📋 The rules
- The camera may film only your own property
- Within that boundary the household exemption applies — no GDPR
- Aimed at a neighbour or the street: you become a controller
- You then need a basis, a sign and a retention period
- Those filmed can demand a copy, erasure or object
🔓 Exceptions
- Dummy cameras process no data, but can still sour relations with a neighbour
- Audio recording is more sensitive than video and is rarely justified for a home camera
- Video doorbells fall under the same regime if they cover ground beyond your property
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If the camera reaches beyond your property you lose the household exemption and are liable as a data controller. The data-protection commission can order you to reposition or switch off the camera and impose a GDPR sanction — and sanctions under the regulation are substantial. Separately, the affected neighbour can bring a civil claim for damages for the violation of their personal rights, independently of any administrative penalty. The commonest outcome is not a fine but an order to re-aim the camera after a complaint. So the simplest fix is also the safest: set the field of view to cover only your own yard, and mask the zones outside your boundary.
📎 Official sources
- Commission for Personal Data Protection →
- EDPB · Guidelines on processing personal data through video devices →
- GDPR · Regulation (EU) 2016/679 →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I point the camera at the street?
Not without consequences. As soon as the camera captures ground beyond your property — street, pavement or a neighbour's yard — you lose the household exemption and fall fully under GDPR with a controller's obligations.
What is the household exemption?
While the camera covers only your own property, the processing is for personal and household purposes and data-protection rules do not apply. That field of view is exactly what separates a lawful camera from a problematic one.
My neighbour films my yard — what can I do?
You have the right to request a copy of the footage, its erasure, and to object to being filmed. If they refuse, you can complain to the data-protection commission and also claim damages through the civil courts.
Do I need a sign?
If the camera reaches beyond your property, yes — you must inform those being filmed that recording takes place. Within your own boundary, under the household exemption, no sign is required.
What about a video doorbell?
It falls under the same regime. If it covers only your own doorstep there is no problem. If it films the street or your neighbour's entrance, GDPR applies and your neighbour has the same rights as with any other camera.
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