Traveling in Europe with a weapon: European firearms card
Verified 03 February 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
You will travel in Europe with your gun to participate in a historical reconstruction and you wonder if you need to have the European Firearms Card (EFC)? We tell you what you need to know.
To carry a weapon on a trip to another european country, you must complete the 2 conditions following:
- Have the european firearms card. This card certifies that you hold and use the weapons listed on it on a regular basis.
- Have a supporting document proving that you are traveling for the purpose of hunting, sport shooting or participation in a historical reconstruction. For example, proof of your registration for an official shooting competition mentioning the date and place, invitation to a hunting party.
You must present the european firearms card and the supporting document to any request from the competent authorities.
Warning
If you travel for another purpose or if you go to a country that bans the weapon, or makes it subject to authorization, you must request authorization to this country before your departure.
To apply for the European Firearms Card, you must complete the 2 conditions following:
- To be domiciled in France
- Legally possess or use the weapons listed therein.
The process varies depending on whether you have an account in the AIS: titleContent or not.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You have an account in the SIA
Weapons Information System
You can edit online the european firearms card via your account AIS: titleContent :
You're in a different situation
You must create a file with the following documents :
- Form cerfa no. 10832
- Copy of a proof of identity (valid national identity card, passport or residence permit)
- Copy of a proof of address (rental contract, electricity, gas, recent telephone bills, insurance certificate, etc.)
- 2 photos of recent identities
- Proof of the weapon: copy of detention authorizations for weapons of category B or A1 3 bis, copy of the declaration receipts for category C weapons.
Only one card per person may be delivered.
You must contact the prefecture of your home, and in Paris, to the police prefecture.
The Weapons and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By post
Prefecture of Police
Directorate of General Police
Office of Administrative Police
Weapons and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By courier
From contact form
European firearms card template
Yes, the approach is free of charge.
The duration from validity of the european firearms card is of 5 years.
However, if the card mentions one or more category B weapons, the end of validity of card corresponds to the end of validity of detention authorization of those weapons.
The approach to request the renewal of the european firearms pass is identical to the original application.
The process varies depending on whether you have an account in the AIS: titleContent or not.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You have an account in the SIA
Weapons Information System
In case of loss of your european firearms card, you must edit online a new european firearms card via your account.
The new edition renders the previous map obsolete.
You're in a different situation
In case of loss from your european firearms card, you have 1 month for make a statement at the prefecture of your home, or in Paris, at the police prefecture.
The Weapons and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By post
Prefecture of Police
Directorate of General Police
Office of Administrative Police
Weapons and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By courier
From contact form
The process varies depending on whether you have an account in the AIS: titleContent or not.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You have an account in the SIA
Weapons Information System
In case of loss of a weapon, you must immediately report the loss to a police station or gendarmerie brigade.
If the weapon is listed on your European firearms card, you must edit online a new card via your account AIS: titleContent .
The new edition renders the previous map obsolete.
You're in a different situation
In case of loss of a weapon, you must immediately report the loss to a police station or gendarmerie brigade.
If the weapon is listed on your European firearms card, you must return your card or request its update in a delay of 1 month following the loss of the weapon.
The return of the card is done at the prefecture of your home, or in Paris, at the police prefecture,
The steps to request the update of the European firearms pass is identical to the original application for the card.
The Weapons and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By post
Prefecture of Police
Directorate of General Police
Office of Administrative Police
Weapons and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By courier
From contact form
Failure to update your European card in the event of loss of a weapon listed on it is punishable by a maximum fine of €750.
The additional penalties the following may be added:
- Prohibition of possession or carrying, for a maximum period of 3 years, a weapon subject to authorization
- Confiscation of one or more weapons
- Obligation to take a citizenship internship.
The process varies depending on whether you have an account in the AIS: titleContent or not.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You have an account in the SIA
Weapons Information System
In case of theft of a weapon, you must immediately report the theft to a police station or gendarmerie brigade.
If the weapon is listed on your European firearms card, you must edit online a new card via your account AIS: titleContent .
The new edition renders the previous map obsolete.
You're in a different situation
In case of stealing a weapon, you must immediately report the theft to a police station or gendarmerie brigade.
If the weapon is listed on your European firearms card, you must return your card or request its update in a delay of 1 month following the theft of the weapon.
The return of the card is done at the prefecture of your home, or in Paris, at the police prefecture,
The steps to request the update of the European firearms pass is identical to the original application for the card.
The Weapons and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By post
Prefecture of Police
Directorate of General Police
Office of Administrative Police
Weapons and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By courier
From contact form
Failure to update your European card in the event of theft of a weapon listed on it is punishable by a maximum fine of €750.
The additional penalties the following may be added:
- Prohibition of possession or carrying, for a maximum period of 3 years, a weapon subject to authorization
- Confiscation of one or more weapons
- Obligation to take a citizenship internship.
Possession of a category weapon A, B and C by a resident of another country l' during a travel in France is subject to authorization, with some exceptions.
In any case, the european firearms card is mandatory.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You're a hunter
One hunter of another european country must meet the following conditions to travel to France (stay or transit) with a weapon:
Mandatory documents :
- European firearms card showing the weapon(s) held
- Hunting permit
- Proof of travel for hunting purposes. For example, an invitation to a hunting activity.
Authorized weapons :
- 3 hunting weapons of category C, if necessary accompanied by their components and their feeding systems
- 100 rounds per weapon.
The European card and the travel document shall be submitted in the event of a request from the competent authorities.
You're a sports shooter
One sport shooter of another european country must meet the following conditions for traveling in France (stay or transit) with a weapon:
Mandatory documents :
- European firearms card showing the weapon(s) held
- Written invitation or proof of registration for an official shooting competition mentioning the date and place of this competition.
Authorized weapons : 6 weapons of categories A, B, and C, if necessary, with their components and feeding systems and ammunition.
The European card, written invitation or proof of registration must be submitted at the request of the competent authorities.
You are an actor of historical re-enactments
One historical reconstitution actor of another european country must meet the following conditions for traveling in France (stay or transit) with a weapon :
Mandatory documents :
- European firearms card showing the weapon(s) held
- Invitation of the organizer of the historic event
Authorized weapons : 3 weapons neutralized (weapons rendered unsuitable for firing).
The European card and the written invitation shall be submitted in the event of a request from the competent authorities.
You're in a different situation
A resident of another european country must fill in the following conditions for traveling in France (stay or transit) with a weapon :
- Have the european firearms card
- Have a authorization.
The authorization shall be issued:
- by the prefect of destination for one planned stay in France,
- or by prefect of the place of entry into France in case of transit through France.
Authorization is enrolled on the european firearms card.
It can be delivered for one or more trips and for 1 year maximum.
The Weapons and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By post
Prefecture of Police
Directorate of General Police
Office of Administrative Police
Weapons and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By courier
From contact form
Application for a European firearms card: first application, renewal or amendment
On the same subject
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- Prefecture
The Weapons and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By post
Prefecture of Police
Directorate of General Police
Office of Administrative Police
Weapons and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By courier
From contact form
European Firearm Card
Penalties (Article R317-8-2)
Additional penalties (Article R317-13)
FAQ
Service Public
Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Duties