In short
The EU Firearms Directive sets the framework; each country decides validity, renewal and the issuing authority. The table shows them for 10 countries, each row with its source. The pass is not a permit for the country you travel to: what applies there is decided by that country’s law.
What the EU Firearms Directive says #
The sentences below are the official wording of the Directive.
A ‘European firearms pass’ shall be issued on request by the competent authorities of a Member State to a person lawfully entering into possession of and using a firearm. It shall be valid for a maximum period of five years, which may be extended, and shall contain the information set out in Annex II. It shall be non-transferable and shall record the firearm or firearms possessed and used by the holder of the pass. It shall always be in the possession of the person using the firearm and any change concerning possession of or the characteristics of the firearm, as well as any loss or theft thereof, shall be indicated on the pass.
— Article 1(3) of Directive (EU) 2021/555
Validity and renewal by country #
| Country | Official name | Validity | Renewal | Issuing authority | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disputed Germany | Europäischer Feuerwaffenpass | 5 years | twice, by 5 years each time | zuständige Waffenbehörde | § 32 Abs. 6 WaffG, § 33 Abs. 1 AWaffV |
| Austria | Europäischer Feuerwaffenpaß | 5 years | once, by 5 years | Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde, in Städten mit Landespolizeidirektion diese | § 36 Abs. 2, § 48 Abs. 1 WaffG 1996 |
| Switzerland | Europäischer Feuerwaffenpass | 5 years | twice, by 2 years each time | zuständige Behörde des Wohnsitzkantons | Art. 25b Abs. 1 und 2 WG, Art. 46 Abs. 5 WV |
| Unclear Poland | Europejska karta broni palnej | up to 5 years | possible; the Act states neither for how long nor how often | właściwy organ Policji | art. 10a ust. 2–4 uoBiA |
| Czechia | evropský zbrojní pas | 5 years | by 5 years each time, with no limit on the number of renewals | krajské ředitelství policie | § 102 odst. 3 zákona č. 90/2024 Sb. |
| Unclear Estonia | Euroopa tulirelvapass | up to 5 years, but no longer than the underlying permit | not provided for in the Act | Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet | § 62⁴ lg 5–7 relvaseadus |
| Lithuania | Europos šaunamojo ginklo leidimas | 5 years | by 5 years each time, with no limit on the number of renewals | policijos įstaiga | GŠKĮ 36 str. 1 d. |
| Unclear Finland | Euroopan ampuma-asepassi | up to 5 years, but no longer than the underlying permit | possible; the Act states neither for how long nor how often | poliisilaitos | ampuma-aselaki 74 § 4 mom. |
| Unclear Italy | carta europea d’arma da fuoco | up to 5 years, but no longer than the underlying permit | not provided for in the Act | questore | art. 2 co. 4 D.Lgs. 527/1992 |
| France | carte européenne d’arme à feu | 5 years; if firearms requiring an authorisation are listed, as long as that authorisation | none – a new card on request | préfet du lieu de domicile | art. R316-7 CSI |
What to know about each country #
Disputed Germany: The German Regulation says ten years where a hunter’s or sport shooter’s pass lists only single-shot smooth-bore long guns; the Directive allows a maximum of five. Reading 1: in that case the German pass is valid for ten years, as the Baden-Württemberg service description says. Reading 2: another state need not recognise a pass that is more than five years old. We found no case law on this. (§ 32 Abs. 6 WaffG, § 33 Abs. 1 AWaffV)
Unclear Poland: The Act only says that validity may be extended “for a further period” – it does not say for how long or how often. We found no case law on this. The card becomes invalid and must be returned if the firearms permit is revoked. (art. 10a ust. 2–4 uoBiA)
Unclear Estonia: The pass is never valid for longer than the firearms permit (relvaluba) or carry permit (relvakandmisluba) and lapses when that is revoked. Neither the Act nor the Regulation on the pass provides for a renewal. (§ 62⁴ lg 5–7 relvaseadus)
Unclear Finland: The pass is valid only as long as the permits for the firearms listed in it, and at most five years from the date of issue. The Act only says that validity may be extended – not for how long or how often. (ampuma-aselaki 74 § 4 mom.)
Unclear Italy: The card is valid for as long as the licence to carry (porto d’armi) or the authorisation to transport sporting firearms, and at most five years. The Decree does not provide for a renewal; we have not read the implementing rules. (art. 2 co. 4 D.Lgs. 527/1992)
Austria: The pass is to be restricted or withdrawn to the extent that the holder may no longer possess the firearms listed in it. (§ 36 Abs. 2, § 48 Abs. 1 WaffG 1996)
Switzerland: Switzerland is not an EU member; it issues the pass for travel to Schengen states. The Act allows renewals of two years each without limiting their number; the Ordinance limits them to two. “Any number of times” is not covered. (Art. 25b Abs. 1 und 2 WG, Art. 46 Abs. 5 WV)
Czechia: The pass is renewed only on application and before expiry, if the conditions are still met – not automatically. The wording does not limit the number of renewals. (§ 102 odst. 3 zákona č. 90/2024 Sb.)
Lithuania: The pass is issued only for hunting, sport or historical re-enactment. After the firearm is disposed of or lost, the pass must be returned to the issuing office. (GŠKĮ 36 str. 1 d.)
France: There is no renewal: on request a new card is issued, and the old one becomes void. If a firearm that requires an authorisation is listed, the card is valid for as long as the authorisation. After a listed firearm is sold, lost, stolen or modified, a new card must be requested. (art. R316-7 CSI)
Deadlines the pass triggers #
| Country | Event | Deadline | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Change concerning a listed firearm (such as acquisition, transfer or loss): present the pass so that the change can be entered | together with the notification to the firearms authority | § 37g Abs. 1 WaffG |
| Czechia | Report the loss or theft of the pass | without undue delay | § 11 odst. 1 písm. g) zákona č. 90/2024 Sb. |
| Finland | Change concerning a listed firearm (such as acquisition, transfer or loss): present the pass so that the change can be entered | within 30 days | ampuma-aselaki 74 § 2–3 mom. |
| Italy | Report the loss or theft of the pass | without undue delay | art. 3 co. 1 lett. a) D.Lgs. 527/1992 |
| Italy | Change concerning a listed firearm (such as acquisition, transfer or loss): present the pass so that the change can be entered | without undue delay, and within 48 hours at the latest | art. 3 co. 1 lett. b) D.Lgs. 527/1992 |
In the wording we have read, the other countries in the table set no deadline for the pass itself.
When you travel #
The Directive sets out when the pass is enough for a journey and when it is not (official wording):
Notwithstanding paragraph 1, hunters and historical re-enactors, in respect of firearms classified in category C, and target shooters, in respect of firearms classified in category B or C and of firearms classified in category A for which an authorisation has been granted under Article 9(6) or for which the authorisation has been confirmed, renewed or prolonged under Article 10(5), may, without the prior authorisation referred to in Article 16(2), be in possession of one or more firearms during a journey through two or more Member States with a view to engaging in their activities, provided that: (a) they are in possession of a European firearms pass listing such firearm or firearms; and (b) they are able to substantiate the reasons for their journey, in particular by producing an invitation for, or other proof of, their hunting, target shooting or historical re-enactment activities in the Member State of destination.
— Article 17(2), first subparagraph, of Directive (EU) 2021/555
However, the derogation referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall not apply to journeys to a Member State that, pursuant to Article 11(3), either prohibits the acquisition and possession of the firearm in question or makes it subject to authorisation. In that case, an express statement to that effect shall be entered on the European firearms pass. Member States may also refuse the application of this derogation in the case of firearms classified in category A for which an authorisation has been granted under Article 9(6) or for which the authorisation has been confirmed, renewed or prolonged under Article 10(5).
— Article 17(2), third subparagraph, of Directive (EU) 2021/555
Member States may not make acceptance of a European firearms pass conditional upon the payment of any fee or charge.
— Article 17(2), second subparagraph, of Directive (EU) 2021/555
How Waffenschrank handles it #
In Waffenschrank, the European firearms pass is a permit type of its own, with an expiry date, for Austria and Switzerland; the app reminds you before it expires and shows the rule with its source and the date it was checked. Your data stays on your device; an account is optional. More about the app.