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Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Slovakia?

Yes. Airguns are legal here for adults.

Free sale to adults with minimal or no national licensing, though local rules can still apply.

Tier 4: Permissive

Free sale to adults with minimal or no national licensing requirement.

SK

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Slovakia is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationThreshold-based
Age rule18+
PossessionLicence required
Transfer / saleVariable
TransportVariable
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
  • Do not conflate airsoft and high-power PCP rules.
  • Above 17 J (Category C) requires a firearms licence plus notification and registration.
  • Weapon-mounted lasers/night-vision accessories may create separate prohibited-accessory issues.

The rules in detail

Classification
Threshold-based
Act No. 190/2003: air/gas weapons with muzzle energy up to 17 J are Category D (§ 7(1)(b)); above 17 J they are Category C (§ 6(1)(d)). The ceiling was raised from 15 J to 17 J by Act 500/2021, effective 1 Feb 2022.
Age rule
18+
18+.
Possession
Licence required
Adults 18+ may own Category D airguns (≤17 J) without a firearms licence (§ 14(1)). Airguns above 17 J are Category C: only holders of a firearms licence (zbrojný preukaz) may acquire them (§ 12(1)), with notification and registration duties (§ 6(2)).
Transfer / sale
Variable
Retail sale of Category D airguns is age-gated and may require identity-record handling. Stronger airguns are not simple OTC items.
Transport
Variable
Transport unloaded, secured, and not visibly carried in public. Public display/carry of weapon-like items can create legal trouble.
Authority
National statute
National firearms law, administered through Slovak police / Ministry of Interior framework.

Hunting with an airgun

Unresolved / likely not the ordinary use case.

Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed

Import & travel

Energy threshold
17 J: Category D (licence-free) ceiling since 1 Feb 2022; above is Category C.
Caliber rule
OTC airguns commonly sold in 4.5 mm, 5.5 mm, and 6.35 mm; stronger/larger-caliber airguns may fall outside the simple Category D pathway.
Travel note
Reasonably airgun-accessible for residents/adults at ≤17 J, but high-power PCPs are a different legal animal.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure
For EU travelers, verify whether a European Firearms Pass or local event documentation is needed. US travelers should obtain written airline/customs confirmation before bringing an airgun, especially above 17 J.

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.→Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.→Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.→

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.