Import of Weapons
You need a European Firearms Pass, where your weapon must be listed, as well as a permit for bringing the weapon with you when you wish to bring a weapon and the ammunition for it from an EU country to Austria, or vice versa. Hunters and marksmen, however, only need the European Firearms Pass when carrying with them a maximum of three weapons with ammunition. This does not apply to hand-guns carried by hunters.
When coming from a non-EU country, travelers who are domiciled in Austria may only import weapons if they can show their weapons pass or a weapon ownership card to the customs official. Travelers who are domiciled outside Austria require a permit to hold a weapon, pursuant to § 39 of the Austrian Weapons Act. You can get this permit at official Austrian representative offices abroad.
When applying, you must present
- proper documentation of your trip (length, aim, plane ticket etc.),
- a valid passport
- a valid firearms pass/permit issued by the authorities of your place of residence
- a statement of good conduct (Police clearance certificate) issued by the proper authorities.
Further documentation might be required on a case-by-case basis.
The permit gives you the right to bring firearms and weapons into Austria, but it does not confer the right to carry the firearm all the time. In addition, the firearm must be unloaded and any ammunition must be stored separately.
If you intend to carry your firearm all the time or even to use it, a separate permit issued by the Austrian local authorities is required. Please be advised that there is no legal right to obtain the permit(s) you are applying for.
Please bear in mind that there is a general ban on the import of certain weapons (e.g. pump guns, knuckle-dusters).
