Weapons
Weapons can be divided into four categories, and your obligations vary depending on the category
Category A weapons, cold weapons the primary purpose of which is to attack or cause injuries and objects which can cause injuries, when carried in a public place and when the manner or circumstances of carrying them indicate that they are carried to be used to attack or cause injuries, as well as category C and D weapons, when used to harass, attack or cause injuries, are considered prohibited weapons.Category B weapons require prior authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior, and category C weapons only need to be reported to the Ministry of the Interior, while category D weapons do not require authorisation or reporting, with the exception of weapons which fire plastic balls or paintballs with the help of compressed air (airsoft and paintball guns), which do need to be reported if crossing a state border.
Category B weapons are the only weapons for the acquisition, possession and/or carrying of which natural persons have to meet certain requirements.
You can learn about weapon categorization on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
Category B weapons
Applications for weapon acquisition should be submitted to the police administration or station in your place of residence.The conditions for the acquisition of weapons are:
- that you have passed the hunting exam if you are acquiring weapons for hunting purposes or that you are actively competing in sports shooting if you are acquiring weapons for sport purposes
- that you are over 21 years of age
- that you have not been finally punished for certain criminal offences or misdemeanours and that you are not subject to criminal or misdemeanour proceedings for certain criminal offences or misdemeanours;
- you should have the conditions for safe storage and safekeeping of weapons
By way of derogation from the age limit, police officers of the Ministry of the Interior, members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, judicial police and other public authorities, as well as security officers, who are authorised to possess and carry weapons pursuant to special regulations, members of shooting sports organisations who actively compete in shooting sports and persons who have passed the hunting examination, may be issued a weapon acquisition authorisation if they are over the age of 18.
A weapon acquisition authorisation for natural and legal persons is valid for six months from the date of issuance.
Within eight days from the date of weapon acquisition, an application for weapon registration should be submitted to the police administration or station in your place of residence. To establish that the information is authentic, the weapon also needs to be brought there. Natural persons are issued a weapons possession license or a weapons possession and carrying license.
One form for a weapons possession license or a weapons possession and carrying license can include three weapons and its validity can be extended three times.
When submitting an application for a weapon acquisition authorisation, a person who wants to acquire a weapon has to provide a written statement on their consent to their primary care physician or any other physician aware of any changes in their medical condition which affect their medical fitness to possess weapons notifying the police of this, as well as that the police may request information on their medical condition from their primary care physician or any other physician.
Weapons may not be carried without a weapon possession licence.