Pepper Spray in the EU: Countries with Conditional Rules (Permits, Approvals, Carry Restrictions)
In this section, we've compiled EU countries where pepper spray regulations are not a simple "allowed / banned." Sometimes it depends on approval of a specific type, sometimes on a permit, and very often on whether you can carry it outside the home and how import or transit works.
If you're interested in countries where pepper spray is generally permitted, see: EU countries where pepper spray is permitted (✅). For countries with a full ban, go to: EU countries where pepper spray is banned (❌).
List of countries in this category (⚠️)
Below you'll find country cards where pepper spray is treated conditionally (e.g., requires specific product features, approvals, or the biggest risk concerns carrying and transport). Each country is described in the same format: street, car, home, import and transit, what to watch out for.
- Pepper Spray – Croatia
- Pepper Spray – Finland
- Pepper Spray – France
- Pepper Spray – Spain
- Pepper Spray – Germany
- Pepper Spray – Portugal
- Pepper Spray – Romania
- Pepper Spray – Sweden
- Pepper Spray – Italy
Croatia
Croatian weapons law distinguishes categories, including one covering sprays (dispersers) with permitted substances. In practice, the key is whether the product fits the legal definition under the act and how public carry and transport are handled.
- Street (carrying): assessed under weapons regulations and public place rules; best to avoid situations/locations with frequent checks.
- Car (transport): treat as transport – best kept secured and not readily accessible (reduces risk of being interpreted as ready for use).
- Home (possession): usually less problematic than carrying – still depends on whether the product meets the statutory definition.
- Import and transit: if traveling through multiple countries, transit countries may be key (even if Croatia is conditional).
- What to watch out for: don't rely on the trade name – the legal category and statutory definitions matter.
Official source: Croatian Official Gazette (Narodne novine) – Act on Acquisition and Possession of Weapons by Citizens (weapon categories)
Germany
In Germany, the key factor in practice is how the spray is classified and labeled. Most confusion arises from distinguishing products described as animal defense means from those falling under weapons regulations.
- Street (carrying): depends on labeling and product classification; additional bans may apply in "sensitive" locations (controlled facilities).
- Car (transport): often assessed similarly to public carry; category and markings matter.
- Home (possession): usually less problematic than carrying, but still depends on the spray's legal status.
- Import and transit: if the product falls into a stricter category, risk starts at inspection; check transit countries too.
- What to watch out for: the label and intended purpose matter – don't rely on marketing names.
Official sources:
France
In France, the core issue is often not "can you buy it," but can you have it on you and can you transport it. Regulations and practice heavily emphasize carrying/transport without legitimate reason.
- Street (carrying): key point – carrying outside the home may require justification and can trigger checks.
- Car (transport): if the spray is easily accessible "at hand," it may be treated like carrying; safer to treat as transport.
- Home (possession): generally simpler than carrying, but classification and parameters still matter.
- Import and transit: on multi-country routes, risk applies to transport within France itself.
- What to watch out for: common mistake is assuming "if it's legal to buy, it's legal to carry."
Official source: Service-Public.fr – Category D weapons: rules for possession, carrying, and transport
Spain
In Spain, it matters whether we're talking about a spray approved as a personal defense tool. A safe starting point is verifying if the product complies with requirements and the approval system.
- Street (carrying): allowed under rules for approved means; "similar" but unapproved products can cause issues.
- Car (transport): approval type still counts; on international routes, remember transit countries.
- Home (possession): based on compliance – the issue is often the "type" of spray, not the location.
- Import and transit: for import, same starting point: safest to assume only approved products.
- What to watch out for: choosing a spray outside the approval system is the most common source of trouble.
Official sources:
Italy
In Italy, "legality" usually boils down to one thing: compliance with technical parameters set by regulations. This is a country where "which pepper spray?" really means "does it meet the requirements?"
- Street (carrying): generally possible if the product meets technical requirements for defensive sprays.
- Car (transport): in case of inspection, parameters and markings matter; treat as transport.
- Home (possession): generally allowed for products meeting requirements.
- Import and transit: risk mainly concerns products that do not meet parameters.
- What to watch out for: before travel, compare limits on the label (e.g., capacity and required parameters in regulations).
Official source: Gazzetta Ufficiale – regulation with parameters for “spray peperoncino”
Portugal
Portugal classifies defensive aerosols (including those with capsaicin/OC) under weapons law. In practice, the most important point is that it is a weapons category, which ties into rules for possession, storage, carrying, and import.
- Street (carrying): assessed under weapons regulations – high risk of violation without meeting conditions.
- Car (transport): treat as transport of a weapon-regulated item (accessibility "at hand" increases risk).
- Home (possession): linked to weapons regime – conditions for possession and storage apply.
- Import and transit: for import, compliance with weapons rules matters; don't assume "EU = no issues."
- What to watch out for: Portugal explicitly describes defensive aerosols in regulations – details matter here.
Official sources:
Romania
In Romania, the context of carrying is important: criminal provisions refer to situations where irritating/lacrimogenic substances can lead to liability. This makes "can I have it on me?" often more critical than just "is it legal?"
- Street (carrying): in certain circumstances, carrying can lead to consequences – check rules for places and situations you'll be in.
- Car (transport): if treated as possession in public, storage method and accessibility matter.
- Home (possession): risk more often concerns going "from home to public space" than storage itself.
- Import and transit: at border crossing, item classification matters; always check transit countries too.
- What to watch out for: Romania has provisions on irritating substances in the context of public place carry.
Official source: Legislatie.just.ro – Criminal Code (provisions on dangerous items in public places)
Sweden
Sweden treats pepper spray under weapons law. A permit from the police is required, and permit issuance is described as highly restrictive. Import formalities are also significant.
- Street (carrying): without a permit, high risk of violation.
- Car (transport): transport doesn't bypass the permit requirement; treat as possession/transport under weapons regime.
- Home (possession): also tied to permit – don't assume "at home it's fine."
- Import and transit: importing requires formalities; a common trap when traveling.
- What to watch out for: one of the most restrictive systems in the EU for such means.
Official source: Polisen.se – information on “pepparspray”: permits and import rules
Finland
Finland treats defensive sprays as regulated items – in practice tied to permits. If Finland is on your route, it's one of those countries where formal status is checked first, then product type.
- Street (carrying): without required formalities, carrying may be treated as a violation.
- Car (transport): transport doesn't bypass requirements – legality of possession for you matters.
- Home (possession): also linked to regulation – formal status decides in practice.
- Import and transit: import (including transit) requires rule verification; differences between Nordic countries can be significant.
- What to watch out for: a country where a "small spray" isn't automatically legally neutral.
Official source: Suomi.fi – information on permits (including for defensive sprays)
Update and Verification
Legal status and official communications verified as of . If planning travel, compare information with official links (especially for import and transit).
Bibliography of Official Sources
- HR-1 (Croatia): Narodne novine – Act on Acquisition and Possession of Weapons by Citizens (weapon categories)
- DE-1 (Germany): North Rhine-Westphalia Police – guide on weapons rules and selected defense means (PDF)
- DE-2 (Germany): Gesetze im Internet – Weapons Act (WaffG), annex with classifications
- FR-1 (France): Service-Public.fr – Category D weapons: rules for possession, carrying, and transport
- ES-1 (Spain): BOE – regulations on personal defense sprays
- ES-2 (Spain): Spanish Ministry of Health – information on personal defense sprays (including lists)
- IT-1 (Italy): Gazzetta Ufficiale – regulation with parameters for “spray peperoncino”
- PT-1 (Portugal): Diário da República – Weapons and Ammunition Act (classification)
- PT-2 (Portugal): Diário da República – amendments and clarifications on defensive aerosols (capsaicin/OC)
- RO-1 (Romania): Legislatie.just.ro – Criminal Code (provisions on dangerous items in public places)
- SE-1 (Sweden): Polisen.se – information on “pepparspray”: permits and import rules
- FI-1 (Finland): Suomi.fi – information on permits (including for defensive sprays)
Back to the main guide · “✅ Permitted” Countries · “❌ Banned” Countries