Legal conditions for thermal imaging (and other night vision) equipment, in Europe

[Manuel]

I know that the UK just moved outside Europe after this long and ugly divorce...
But this forum remains the biggest on both sides of the Channel, no matter what the politicians decide for us.

So I am asking here: are there any forum members with experience regarding the legal conditions for thermal imaging (and other night vision equipment) in other European countries?
We keep our mobility. It would be stupid to get a huge fine (or worse) just because one took a spotter for night wildlife watching on a trip to another European country.

To bring my contribution, I can tell you that in Romania it is forbidden the ownership and use of any night vision targeting equipment (except for law enforcement). The legal source is Law 295/2004 regarding the guns and munition, art. 5- point 2.b.
So a thermal spotter is allowed in Romania as long it doesn't have targeting capabilities, like a scope.

 

[mereside]

You can’t use thermal scopes same goes for nv fixed to a rifle but spotters are legal, also lamps are Illegal regards Wayne

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Germany = depends on which state you are in, Saarlouis law is different to Bavarian law, front and rear add on"s are getting legalised all over slowly but built in NV scopes such as photons etc are nationwide banned as items of war even from having in possession. NV and thermal hand held viewers all over Germany are permitted. Austria will be different though.

 

[BryanDC]

Denmark: NV was made legal quite recently. But in reality it can only be used for controlling mårhund and requires a permit. Hand held thermal is allowed but not thermal sights.

 

[finnbear270]

Thermal spotters legal in Hungary?

 

[Zio65]

Good morning, in Italy the legislation allows the use of visors for hunting but not riflescopes which are authorized exclusively for wild boar containment plans in agricultural areas

 

[Jamouk]

Illegal but have seen thermal add ons for sale in gunshops in Romania ... a popular one there is a front add on called a nite hog

 

[Dunwaters]

Illegal if mounted on a rifle in ROI, unless it is specifically registered. Applies to both thermal and NV.
Enforcement is virtually non existent.

 

[TundB]

I know Turkey is not a part of the EU but it’s hot spot for wild boar hunters from the UK. It’s illegal for civillians to own either thermal or night visions.

 

[Polar Lynx]

Sweden: Nv and Th legal but for wild boar only, 24/360. NV/Th spotters free all over.

 

[finnbear270]

Hungary?

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Laser dot like on Hollywood films also are not allowed in Germany

 

[J@son]

Can I just run my understanding of the UK law past everyone else to make sure I have this right? As I understand the current situation...

1) The ownership of NV and thermal scopes is legal throughout the UK
2) Ditto NV and thermal spotters
3) In England you can shoot a deer using a rifle fitted with an NV scope but it would be illegal to do so at night (i.e. more than one hour before/after sunshine/sunset).
4) In Scotland, however, is would illegal to shoot a deer using a rifle fitted with an NV scope - regardless of the time of day.

Things I don‘t know:

I am assuming it is legal (or more properly not illegal) to shoot a deer using a rifle fitted with a thermal scope in England - provided you shoot it during the daytime. And I am assuming that it would be illegal to do so in Scotland. In other words I am assuming the law around the use of thermal scopes when shooting deer mirrors that around the use of NV,

I am assuming that the law in Wales mirrors that of England.

I am assuming the use of thermal spotters (and NV spotters) is legal throughout the UK regardless of the type of quarry - i.e. there are no deer specific restrictions.

I’d be grateful to know if any of this is wrong.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I believe the exporting of nv scopes from the UK will make you into a potential prison queen if you do not get an export permit first.

 

[Utectok]

Ireland handheld thermals allowed for fox but not deer thermal scopes also I think?

 

[mealiejimmy]

Currently, shooting any species of deer at any time in Scotland is illegal if either night vision and thermal is used

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Utectok]

Currently, shooting any species of deer at any time in Scotland is illegal if either night vision and thermal is used

Cheers

Bruce

As a rifle mounted scope

 

[Fair Hill]

Ireland handheld thermals allowed for fox but not deer thermal scopes also I think?

I don't think you'll find any legislation to back that up but that's not saying it is incorrect.

Anything just short of a nuclear option is a legal way to hunt foxes here.

 

[dryan]

I don't think you'll find any legislation to back that up but that's not saying it is incorrect.

Anything just short of a nuclear option is a legal way to hunt foxes here.

I think he's correct. Handheld thermals a no no for deer but ok for fox. It's definitely there in the legislation. Totally unenforceable though and noone really cares.

Rifle mounted ok for fox as long as get permission from the police (which is simple enough).

 

[slider]

I am assuming it is legal (or more properly not illegal) to shoot a deer using a rifle fitted with a thermal scope in England - provided you shoot it during the daytime. And I am assuming that it would be illegal to do so in Scotland. In other words I am assuming the law around the use of thermal scopes when shooting deer mirrors that around the use of NV,


I am assuming the use of thermal spotters (and NV spotters) is legal throughout the UK regardless of the type of quarry - i.e. there are no deer specific restrictions.

Use of a digital scope is illegal for deer at any time in Scotland, but that legislation is currently under review.

You are correct regards spotters