How strict are gun laws in Austria?
Permissive
Handguns are licensed as of right, and personal protection is an accepted reason on its own.
Austria is one of 26 countries classified “Permissive” for civilian gun ownership — 13% of the 202 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Read directly from the source’s own table, without interpretation.
Nearby countries
- Slovenia
- Restrictive Slovenia requires proof of threat to life for personal protection and uses may-issue permits for long guns.
- Czech Republic
- Permissive Handguns are licensed as of right, and personal protection is an accepted reason on its own.
- Croatia
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Switzerland
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- San Marino
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Germany
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
Other laws in Austria
- Death Penalty
- Fully abolished
- Military Conscription
- Active conscription
- Jury Trials
- Limited use / mixed courts
Every law in Austria → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.