European firearms pass

Teaser

If you wish to take weapons or ammunition into member states of the European Union or contracting states of the Schengen Convention, you will need a European firearms pass.

  • Service description

    If you are authorised to possess weapons or ammunition in categories A 1.2 to C and wish to take them with you to member states of the European Union or states party to the Schengen Convention, you require a European firearms pass.

    Carrying means that you have the weapon or ammunition with you temporarily when travelling without relinquishing possession for use across the border.

    You can register several weapons (up to ten) in the European Firearms Pass. Whether you require further documents or authorisations in addition to the European Firearms Pass depends on the weapons regulations of the country to which you wish to take the weapons or ammunition.

    In addition to the European firearms pass, you will therefore need the following for your trip

    • Your German gun ownership cards, in which your weapons are registered,
    • proof of the reason for your journey,
    • Your identity card or passport,
    • documents required according to the regulations of the country visited.

  • Procedure

    You can obtain the European firearms pass as follows:

    • The following information is required from you:
      • about your person: first name and surname, date and place of birth, place of residence, address, in the case of companies also telephone or fax number, number, date of issue and issuing authority of the passport or identity card,
      • for firearms: Number and type, category or registered trademark of the manufacturer, model designation, calibre, manufacturing number, CIP proof mark if applicable,
      • other weapons: Number and type of weapons,
      • for ammunition: number and type, category according to Directive 93/15/EEC, manufacturer's company name or registered trademark, calibre and CIP ammunition test mark, if applicable,
      • the European firearms pass will be issued or sent to you.

  • Prerequisites

    You may be issued a European firearms pass if you

    • are authorised under the Weapons Act to possess firearms or ammunition in categories A 1.2 to C and you wish to take these firearms or ammunition with you to another Member State.

  • Which documents are required?

    • Copy of your identity card or passport,
    • Recent photograph measuring at least 45 millimetres by 35 millimetres in portrait format without a border; the face must be at least 20 millimetres in size; the background must be lighter than the face,
    • Information on weapons and ammunition,
    • for representation: written authorisation.

  • What fees are incurred?

    Administrative fee: EUR 58 plus at least EUR 22 surcharge for background and aptitude checks to be carried out

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    Period of validity: generally 5 years;
    for hunters and sport shooters, provided that only single-shot long guns with smooth barrels or smooth-bore barrels are registered: 10 years;
    both variants can be extended twice by 5 years each.

  • Legal basis

  • Applications / Forms

    Application for the issue, renewal, correction or amendment of a European firearms pass

  • Short text

    • European firearms pass issue
    • document intended for cross-border traffic between EU Member States or States party to the Schengen Convention
    • serves as proof of the holder's national authorisation to possess weapons
    • authorises the holder to take the registered weapons or ammunition with them if the other state has given its prior consent
    • is issued upon request
    • generally valid for up to 5 years (can be extended twice)
    • Administrative fee: EUR 58 plus at least EUR 22 surcharge for background and aptitude checks to be carried out
    • responsible: County or independent city

  • Typing

    1;3

  • Library entry status

    5

Who should I contact?

The European firearms pass is issued by the firearms authority in your district administration or the administration of your district-free city. You can also obtain information there about the documents and forms you need to bring with you.

Responsible departments