Laws and regulations

Legal notice

The laws and regulations regarding crossbows, archery bows and blowguns differ by country. Down below, you will find a brief overview of what is known to us. We cannot guarantee that this information is correct. We are not specialists in international weapon laws. Please do your own research to be sure that the product you are buying is legal in your country. You as the buyer are responsible for ensuring that the products you order from us are legal in your country. We are not liable for any difficulties you may encounter due to the legal situation in your country. We deny any responsibility for direct or indirect damage of any nature that may arise from the information on this page.

Austria

  • Hunting with archery bows is forbidden

Belgium

  • Hunting with archery bows is forbidden

Denmark

  • Importing a crossbow without a license is prohibited
  • Hunting with crossbows is forbidden
  • Hunting with archery bows is allowed up to and including roe deer, archers must pass a bowhunting exam

Germany

  • Acquisition, possession, trade or production of crossbows requires no license
  • Crossbows can be used by minors under custody of competent adults
  • Fishing and hunting with crossbows or archery bows is forbidden
  • Possession and use of blowguns is allowed

Finland

  • Hunting with crossbows is forbidden
  • Hunting with archery bows is allowed
  • Possession of crossbows or archery bows requires no licence, in other legal aspects a crossbow is parallel to an air gun

France

  • Hunting with archery bows is allowed, but an education program is mandatory for each archer

Italy

  • In nearly all regions small-game hunting with archery bows is allowed, wild boar hunting is only allowed in Tuscany and Lombardy

Luxembourg

  • A license is required for crossbows in Luxembourg

The Netherlands

  • Possession and acquisition of crossbows is legal for persons aged 18 years or over
  • Carrying crossbows in public is forbidden
  • When transporting, crossbows must be packaged in such a way that they are not available for immediate use
  • Possession and use of archery bows is allowed
  • Possession and use of blowguns is allowed
  • Fishing and hunting with crossbows, archery bows or blowguns is forbidden

Norway

  • It is prohibited to acquire or own crossbows without the permission of the chief of police, there is an age limit of 18 years to obtain such a permit
  • Blowguns are forbidden

Portugal

  • Hunting with archery bows is allowed, but archers must have completed the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP)

Spain

  • Possession of crossbows requires a licence
  • Hunting with archery bows is allowed upward of 50 LBS draw weight, archers must have completed the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP)

Sweden

  • Crossbows are considered equivalent to firearms
  • Possession of crossbows requires a licence
  • Hunting with crossbows is forbidden
  • Archery bows are regulated in the same way as low powered air rifles (less than 10 joules)