Purchasing A Gun In Austria: What You Need To Know

To buy a gun in Austria, you must first obtain a gun license. The requirements for this vary depending on your citizenship and residency status. If you are an Austrian citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for a gun license by taking a firearms course, which includes practical shooting and theoretical instruction on gun laws and safety. The course can be completed in one day and costs €276. After completing the course, you can apply for a gun license with the local police. However, if you are not an Austrian citizen or permanent resident, the process is more complicated. Non-residents must apply for a permit from the Austrian Embassy, which requires a valid reason for bringing weapons into the country and costs €42. This permit does not allow you to carry a loaded weapon at all times, and a separate permit from the domestic authorities is required for that. It's important to note that foreign citizens without a valid residency permit may need to prove a special purpose for their weapon to the authorities.

Eligibility for a gun license in Austria

Austria's gun laws are divided into three categories: Category A, B, and C. The eligibility requirements for a gun license in Austria vary depending on the category of firearms an individual intends to purchase. Here is an overview of the eligibility requirements for each category:

Category C Firearms:

Category C includes repeating, revolving, and break-action rifles; break-action shotguns; and projectile-firing electroshock weapons. Any non-prohibited Austrian citizen, EU national with residence in Austria, or a third-country national with permanent residence in Austria (with a special background check) over the age of 21 can buy firearms from Category C without a permit. A three-day background check is required, and individuals must provide a valid reason for purchasing the firearm during the registration process. Acceptable reasons include self-defense at home, hunting, sport shooting, and collecting. There is no limit to the number of Category C weapons an individual can possess.

Category B Firearms:

Category B includes handguns, repeating shotguns, and semi-automatic rifles. Acquiring these weapons requires a firearm license (Waffenbesitzkarte). The authorities will issue licenses to any non-prohibited citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) over the age of 21 who has a good reason for purchasing the firearm, such as self-defense. The license allows for the purchase of up to two handguns. Authorities may also issue a license to individuals between the ages of 18 and 21, non-EEA citizens, or those seeking to own more than two handguns on a case-by-case basis. Since 2019, individuals who have held a license for two Category B weapons for five or more years can obtain a license for up to five Category B weapons.

Category A Firearms:

Category A includes two subcategories: war material and restricted weapons. War material includes automatic firearms, armor-piercing weapons, and tanks. Restricted weapons include weapons disguised as other objects, firearms with faster disassembly capabilities, shotguns shorter than a specified length, pump-action shotguns, suppressors, and knuckledusters, among others. Acquiring Category A weapons requires further exceptions and special permits, which are typically only granted to approved collectors and experts.

It is important to note that individuals without a residence in the European Union who do not have an Austrian or European firearms license require a permit to bring weapons into Austria. This permit can be obtained from the Austrian Embassy by providing specific documents, including substantiation for the purpose of the trip and a weapons permit from their home state.

The application process for a gun license

To apply for a gun license in Austria, you must first check if you are eligible for a local gun license. This requires fulfilling the general requirements, holding a passport in the EEA, and being at least 21 years old.

If you hold a foreign passport outside the EEA/EU but have a valid permanent residency permit, the Austrian government should approve your request for a license, although this is at the discretion of the authorities. If you do not have a permanent residency permit, you will likely need to prove a special purpose for your application to the authorities.

The next step is to complete a firearms license course, which covers the practical and theoretical aspects of gun ownership in Austria. The course includes approximately 2 hours of theoretical instruction and 2 hours of practical shooting training. The theoretical instruction covers topics such as gun safety, storage, and transport, as well as Austrian weapons law. The practical shooting training will teach you how to correctly handle and fire handguns.

After completing the course, you will receive a firearms license document. Additionally, you will need to undergo a psychological examination by a licensed doctor to obtain psychological certification. The costs for this examination are fixed by law.

Once you have the firearms license and psychological certification, you can apply for a firearms license with the local police. For this application, you will need to provide:

• Psychological examination results
• Proof of citizenship
• A passport photo (stamped and current)
• Proof of academic degree (if you want it included on the license)

The cost of the application is EUR 74.40. If granted, you are typically allowed to buy up to two handguns in Austria.

Requirements to possess a gun license

To possess a gun license in Austria, you must fulfill the following requirements:

Eligibility

First, you must check if you are eligible for a local gun license. To be eligible, you must fulfill the general requirements and hold a passport in the EEA. You must also be at least 21 years old. If you are an EU citizen between the ages of 18 and 21, you may still own other types of firearms.

Foreign Passport

If you hold a foreign passport outside the EEA/EU but have a valid permanent residency permit, the Austrian government should approve your request for a license. This is, however, at the sole discretion of the authorities. If you do not have a permanent residency permit, you will likely need to prove a special purpose for needing a gun to the authorities.

Practical Training

You must complete practical shooting training with handguns. This is the practical part of the firearms license.

Knowledge of Austrian Weapons Law

You must also have knowledge of Austrian weapons law, which is the theoretical part of the weapons license.

Psychological Certification

You must undergo a psychological examination by a licensed doctor. The costs for this examination are fixed by law and are the same for all psychologists.

Application

Once you have the firearms license and the psychological certification, you can apply for a firearms license with the local police. You will need to provide the following:

• Psychological examination report
• Proof of citizenship
• Passport photo (stamped and current)
• Proof of academic degree (if you want it included on the license)

Gun laws in Austria

Austria's gun laws are considered relatively liberal, with certain classes of shotguns and rifles available without a permit. Austrian law divides firearms into three categories, with varying levels of restrictions and requirements for acquisition.

Category C Firearms:

Category C includes repeating, revolving, and break-action rifles; break-action shotguns; and projectile-firing electroshock weapons. These weapons can be purchased by any non-prohibited Austrian citizen, EU national with residence in Austria, or a third-country national with permanent residence in Austria (with a special background check) over the age of 18 without a permit, after a three-day background check. Good reasons for purchasing a firearm, as defined by law, include self-defence at home, hunting, sport shooting, and collecting. There is no limit to the number of Category C weapons one can possess.

Category B Firearms:

Category B includes handguns, repeating shotguns, and semi-automatic rifles. Acquiring these weapons requires a firearm license, or "Waffenbesitzkarte." Authorities will issue these licenses to any non-prohibited citizen of the European Economic Area over the age of 21 who has a good reason for the purchase, such as self-defence. The license allows for the purchase of up to two handguns. Authorities may also issue a license to individuals between 18 and 21 years of age, non-citizens of the EEA, or individuals seeking to own more than two handguns. Since 2019, individuals who have held a license for two Category B weapons for five or more years can receive a license for up to five Category B weapons.

Category A Firearms:

Category A includes two subcategories: war material and restricted weapons. War material includes automatic firearms, armor-piercing weapons, and tanks. Restricted weapons include weapons disguised as other objects, firearms that can be disassembled quickly, shotguns with an overall length of less than 90 cm or a barrel length shorter than 45 cm, pump-action shotguns, suppressors, and firearms with suppressors, knuckledusters, blackjacks, and steel rods.

Acquiring Category A weapons requires further exceptions, except in the case of suppressed weapons, which may be held by those with valid hunting licenses. War materials like automatic firearms require a special federal permit, typically granted only to approved collectors and experts.

Third-Country Nationals and Firearms:

Third-country nationals are eligible for a firearms license provided they fulfil the requirements for obtaining a "Waffenbesitzkarte" and have permanent residence in Austria. In this case, the permit is not issued on a "shall-issue" basis but on a more lenient "may-issue" basis for a limited time (1, 3, or 5 years) and must be renewed after expiry.

Private Sale of Firearms:

The private sale of firearms is common in Austria. When selling privately, individuals are required to sign a sale agreement that includes details such as legal names, residence address, and the serial number of the weapon. When Category C weapons are purchased privately, they must be registered at a gun store by showing the sale agreement within six weeks of purchase. For the purchase of Category B and A weapons, the buyer must submit the sale agreement to their local authority.

Carrying Firearms in Public:

Carrying firearms in public generally requires a carry permit, or "Waffenpass." Carry permits are issued by the authorities on a "shall issue" or "may issue" basis, depending on the reason and the applicant. Austrian law does not distinguish between concealed or open carry; with a carry permit, the holder may carry their weapon(s) throughout the country, including in certain "weapon-free zones." However, holders must carry their weapons in a way that does not constitute a public nuisance. Firearms and ammunition must be stored securely to prevent unauthorized access. As self-defence is a recognized reason for owning firearms, storing firearms in a loaded condition at home is permitted.

Importing Firearms into Austria:

Individuals without a residence in the European Union who do not have an Austrian or European firearms license require a permit to bring weapons into Austria. This permit can be obtained from the Austrian Embassy by providing substantiation for the purpose of the trip (e.g., a hunting trip with flight routes and hotel reservations), a weapons permit from their home state, and a certificate of good conduct (such as an FBI background check). The permit allows the transport of weapons into Austria but does not grant the right to carry them at all times. A separate permit, issued by the domestic authorities, is required to carry weapons at all times.

Additional Information:

As of 2019, there were 1,068,582 registered firearms in Austria, owned by 320,352 people (approximately 6.5% of the population). An estimated 1,740,000 unregistered and illegal firearms are believed to be in the country.

Importing and exporting firearms to and from Austria

Importing Firearms to Austria

Individuals without a place of residence in the European Union who do not have an Austrian or European firearms license require a permit according to Austrian weapons law to bring weapons into Austria. This permit can be applied for at the Austrian Embassy with the following documents:

• Substantiation for the purpose of the trip, e.g. a hunting trip (flight route, hotel reservations, etc.)
• A weapons permit issued by the authorities of the home state (place of residence)
• A certificate of good conduct (an FBI background check no older than three months can be obtained from an FBI-approved institution)

The permit allows the holder to transport the weapon(s) in question into Austria, but does not grant the right to carry the weapon at all times. The weapon(s) may not be loaded and must be stored separately from the ammunition. A separate permit is required to carry the weapon at all times, which can only be issued by the domestic authorities.

For imports from an EU member state, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein, the Firearms Authority can grant the necessary permit prior consent upon request. The prerequisite for granting the permit is that the owner is entitled to possess these firearms or ammunition in Austria.

For imports from a non-EU country, a national import permit, passport copy, and an end-user certificate are required.

Exporting Firearms from Austria

For exports to an EU member state, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein, an export permit from the Firearms Authority (State Police Department or District Authority or the Magistrate) is required. The owner of the firearms or ammunition must be allowed to possess them in Austria, and any necessary prior consent from the recipient state must be available.

For exports to a non-EU country, an export permit from the Austrian foreign ministry is required. This process takes approximately four to six weeks. The export of defence goods (such as pistols or hunting rifles) to countries with an arms embargo is generally prohibited.

Frequently asked questions