Traveling in Europe with a weapon: European firearms pass
Verified 30 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Hunting, sport shooting, participation in a historical reconstruction in another country of the European Union : what are the conditions for carry your weapon ? How to ask the European Firearms Pass (FRC) ? We'll show you the main rules to know on the european firearms pass.
For to carry a weapon during a travel in another European country, you must complete the 2 conditions following:
- Have the european firearms pass
This map attest than you hold and use the weapons which are registered in the on a regular basis. - Have a proof proving that you travel in a purpose of hunting, of sport shooting or participation in a historical reconstruction.
Examples: proof of your registration for an official shooting competition mentioning the date and place of this competition, invitation to a hunting party.
You must present the european firearms pass and the proof to any request from the competent authorities.
Warning
If you travel in a other purpose or if you go to a country banning the weapon concerned, or shall make it subject to authorization, you must ask one authorisation to this country before you leave.
Possession of a category weapon A, B and C by a resident of another country the European Union during a trip to France shall be subject to authorization, subject to exceptions.
In any case, the european firearms pass is obligatory.
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You're a hunter
One hunter from another European country must meet the following conditions to travel to France (stay or transit) with a weapon:
Mandatory documents :
- European firearms pass mentioning the weapon(s) held
- Hunting permits
- Proof of travel for hunting purposes
Authorized weapons :
- 3 category C hunting weapons, if necessary, with their components and feeding systems
- 100 rounds per weapon
The European card, the written invitation or the proof of registration must be submitted at the request of the authorized authorities.
You're a sports shooter
A sports shooter from another European country duty fill in the following conditions for travel to France (stay or transit) with a gun :
Mandatory documents :
- European firearms pass mentioning the weapon(s) held
- Written invitation or proof of registration for an official shooting competition with the date and place of the competition
Authorized weapons :: 6 category A, B and C weapons, if necessary, with their components and supply systems and ammunition.
The European card, the written invitation or the proof of registration must be submitted at the request of the authorized authorities.
You're an actor in historical re-enactments
An actor of historical reconstruction of another European country duty fill in the following conditions for travel to France (stay or transit) with a gun :
Mandatory documents :
- European firearms pass mentioning the weapon(s) held
- Invitation of the organizer of the event
Authorized weapons : 3 deactivated weapons (weapons rendered unfit for fire)
The European card, the written invitation or the proof of registration must be submitted at the request of the authorized authorities.
Other case
A resident of another European country must complete the following conditions for travel to France (stay or transit) with a gun :
- Have the european firearms pass
- Have a authorisation
The authorization shall be issued:
- by the prefect of destination for a planned stay in France,
- or by prefect of the place of entry in France in case of transit through France.
The authorization is registered on the european firearms pass.
It can be delivered for one or more journeys and for Maximum 1 year.
Paris Police Department - Arms and Explosives Section
The Arms and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By mail
Police prefecture
General Police Directorate
Office of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By E-mail
From contact form
To apply for the European firearms pass, you must complete the 2 conditions following:
- Be domiciled in France
- Hold or use legally the weapons which will be registered.
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You have an account in the AIS
Weapons Information System
You can edit online the european firearms pass via your account AIS: titleContent :
You're in a different situation
You need to build a case with the subsequent documents :
- Form cerfa no. 10832
- Copy of a identity document (valid national identity card, passport or residence permit)
- Copy of a proof of domicile (rental contract, recent electricity, gas, telephone bills, insurance certificate...)
- 2 photos recent identities
- Proof of arms: copy of authorizations for possession of category B weapons and/or copy of Class C Arms Declaration Receipts
Only one card per person may be issued.
You must contact the prefecture of your home, and in Paris, at the police department.
Paris Police Department - Arms and Explosives Section
The Arms and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By mail
Police prefecture
General Police Directorate
Office of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By E-mail
From contact form
Model European Firearms Card
Yes, the approach is free.
The duration of validity of the european firearms pass is 5 years.
However, if the card mentions one or more category B weapons, the expiry of the card corresponds to the end of validity of the detention authorization of those weapons.
The gait for ask the renewal of the european firearms pass is identical to the original application.
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You have an account in the AIS
Weapons Information System
In case of loss of your european firearms pass, you can edit online a new European firearms pass via your account.
The new edition makes the previous card obsolete.
You're in a different situation
In case of loss of your european firearms pass, you have 1 month for to make a declaration to the prefecture of your home, or in Paris, at the police department.
Paris Police Department - Arms and Explosives Section
The Arms and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By mail
Police prefecture
General Police Directorate
Office of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By E-mail
From contact form
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You have an account in the AIS
Weapons Information System
In case of theft of a weapon, you must immediately report the theft to a police station or gendarme brigade.
If the weapon is registered on your European firearms pass, you can edit online a new card via your accountAIS: titleContent .
The new edition makes the previous card obsolete.
You're in a different situation
In case of theft of a weapon, you must immediately report the theft to a police station or gendarme brigade.
If the firearm is registered on your European firearms pass, you must return your card or request its update.
You have a 1-month period following the theft of the weapon to return your card or request its update.
The restitution of the map is done at prefecture of your home, or in Paris, at the police department,
The procedure for update the european firearms pass is identical to the initial application of the map.
Paris Police Department - Arms and Explosives Section
The Arms and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By mail
Police prefecture
General Police Directorate
Office of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By E-mail
From contact form
You may be fined €750.
The additional penalties the following may be added:
- Prohibition on the possession or carrying for a period of up to 3 years of a weapon subject to authorization
- Confiscation of one or more weapons
- Obligation to complete a citizenship internship
Application for a European firearms pass: first application, renewal or amendment
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Prefecture
Paris Police Department - Arms and Explosives Section
The Arms and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By mail
Police prefecture
General Police Directorate
Office of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By E-mail
From contact form
European firearms pass
Penalties (Article R317-8-2)
Additional penalties (Article R317-13)
FAQ
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Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes