Guidance

European firearms requirements

Published 31 December 2020

GB residents who want to travel to the EU with their firearms or shotguns can no longer apply for a European Firearms Pass (EFP). You can also no longer use an existing EFP to travel to the EU with your firearm or shotgun.

Instead, you should check the firearms licensing requirements of the EU country you’re travelling to or through, ahead of travelling. You need to apply for consent in line with these requirements and applicable import/export controls. These requirements also apply if you will be in an EU country with your firearm covered by an EFP.

Visitor’s permits

You should continue to apply to your local UK police force for a visitor’s permit if you’re sponsoring an EU visitor who is bringing a firearm to the UK. Permits issued before the UK left the EU will remain valid until they expire.

It is no longer a legal requirement for EU visitors to GB to produce a valid EFP in support of their application, but it will remain open for them to do so as one form of evidence of their suitability to bring a firearm into GB.

Northern Ireland

The situation is different in Northern Ireland where, in line with the Northern Ireland Protocol, NI certificate holders can still obtain and use EFPs.