Apply for a European firearms pass
If you want to take your weapons with you within the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will need a European Firearms Pass.
The European Firearms Pass is valid for 5 years and can be renewed twice for 5 years each.
Only firearms for which you have a valid permit to acquire and possess weapons (firearms possession card – WBK or hunting license) will be entered in your European Firearms Pass. Up to 10 weapons are registered in the European Firearms Pass. If you want to take more weapons with you, you will receive another European firearms pass.
You are allowed to take the appropriate ammunition for the registered weapons, but only as much as you are likely to need. As a hunter, experience has shown that you need less ammunition than a sport shooter.
The European Firearms Pass is no guarantee that you will actually be allowed to take the registered firearms into the country. Therefore, before traveling, you should check whether you are allowed to take the weapons with you to the country in question. In addition to the European Firearms Pass, you must carry an identity document and the firearms possession card in which the weapons are registered. It is also advisable to carry an invitation from the hunting club or the hunting license for the country or a confirmation of registration for a shooting competition.
The European Firearms Pass is not an import document and does not entitle you to permanently transfer firearms or ammunition abroad. You will need other permits for this.
To be able to fill out the application faster, you can use the NWR identification numbers (NWR ID):
- Your PersonalNWR-ID (P- or F-NWR-ID) for your personal information
- the permitNWR-ID for the firearms permit (E-NWR-ID)
- the weapon or weapon part NWR ID (W or T-NWR ID).
You can obtain the NWR IDs upon application from the responsible weapons authority.
You can apply for the European Firearms Pass in writing or online.
If you want to apply for the European Firearms Pass in writing:
- You fill out the form that you can obtain from the relevant weapons authority.
- You send the signed form, the current photograph and your permission to possess and acquire the weapons (weapon possession card - WBK) or your hunting license by post to the responsible weapons authority.
- You can also visit the relevant weapons authority. Often, the European firearms pass is issued immediately if all the conditions are met.
If you want to apply for the European Firearms Pass online:
- You submit the application via the online service of the responsible weapons authority.
You can either send the photo by post to the responsible firearms authority or bring the photo with you when you pick up your European firearms pass. It is then glued in there.
You must have a valid permit to acquire and possess the weapons (e.g. hunting licence or firearms possession card – WBK) that are to be entered in the European Firearms Pass.
- Identity card or passport (copy)
- Weapon possession card (WBK) or hunting license
- current photograph (not older than 1 year, at least 45 x 35 millimeters in size, with a light background)
Fee: 65,00 EURPayment in advance: No
There is no deadline.
Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance required: No
Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior and Sport
17.08.2023
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
