Extending the European firearms pass

The European firearms pass allows holders of firearms possession cards to temporarily take weapons and ammunition with them when visiting another EU member state or Schengen state. It only allows short-term, cross-border transportation of your weapons for a purpose that is covered by your legal requirement (e.g. hunting trip, participation in a shooting event).

The European firearms pass is valid for 5 years and you can have it extended twice for 5 years at a time.

You may take the corresponding ammunition for the registered weapons with you, but only as much as you are likely to need. Experience has shown that you will need less ammunition as a hunter than as a sport shooter.

Not every weapon that is registered in the European Firearms Pass may automatically be taken abroad. The respective firearms regulations of the host country and all countries through which you are traveling must be observed. Appropriate permits from countries to be visited must be obtained in advance. Therefore, please inform yourself comprehensively about the firearms regulations applicable in each country before your trip. In addition to the European firearms pass, you must also carry an identification document and the firearms ownership card in which the firearms are registered. It is also advisable to carry an invitation from the hunting club or the hunting license for the country or confirmation of registration for a shooting competition.

The European firearms pass is not an import document and does not entitle you to take firearms or ammunition abroad permanently. You will need other permits for this.

Requirements

You must have a valid permit for the purchase and possession of weapons (e.g. weapon possession card - WBK), which are entered in the European firearms pass.

Online application

• Use the online service. You will find the link under "Further information" - Online service".
• The online service guides you step by step through the application process.
• You can store the required documents directly in the online service.
• If you want to use the full online functions of the service, you must log in with your Bund-ID user account.
• If you do not yet have a user account, you can register on the registration page.
• If you do not register with your Bund-ID, you will need to make an appointment in person at the firearms authority to have your personal details checked before your application can be processed.
• Once the application has been checked, you will receive the firearms permit and the invoice by post.

What documents do I need?

• Identity card or passport (copy)
• European firearms pass