Means of defense at our neighbors'

Means of self-defense are an important topic not only for your personal safety, but also when traveling abroad. However, different rules and restrictions apply in each country, and if you regularly carry self-defense gear with you, it is good to know about these differences in order to avoid possible complications. In this article, we will look at our neighbors – Poland, Austria, Germany and Slovakia.

If you travel abroad and regularly carry a knife, telescopic baton or pepper spray with you, you may have forgotten something in your pocket or backpack and accidentally "smuggled" self-defense equipment abroad. However, there may be quite different rules for their ownership and use there, and even a simple random check can very easily get you into trouble. Therefore, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of the country in question as well as possible before traveling and carefully check the contents of your pockets and luggage.

Here, we try to base our efforts on the current laws and regulations in force in individual countries. It is supplemented by the experiences of people who regularly travel to the mentioned countries, the experiences of our foreign colleagues in the field and expert discussions. The information has been verified, but if you have your own experiences, feel free to share them with us. This article is based on a video on our YouTube channel, so if you prefer listening before reading, click here.

Before traveling abroad, familiarize yourself with the country's rules regarding means of self-defense and carefully search your pockets and luggage for anything that is subject to restrictions.

Poland

Permitted means of defense

In Poland, you can safely own and use various types of knives, including pocket and fixed models, pepper spray, telescopic batons and electric stun guns. However, we recommend that you keep the original labels on pepper sprays so that their composition can be easily identified during inspection.

Restrictions

The maximum permitted power for electric stun guns is 10 mA. A label confirming this parameter may be required during inspection.

Prohibited means of defense

There are no major restrictions in Poland when it comes to common self-defense devices.

In Poland and Slovakia, the rules are more relaxed, but always pay attention to the concealed carrying of defensive means.

Slovakia

Permitted means of defense

In Slovakia, the situation is similar to ours and Poland. Knives, telescopic batons, pepper sprays and electric stun guns are permitted. You can own and carry all of these items, as long as you use them in accordance with the law.

Restrictions

It is important not to carry defensive means visibly. For example, if you walk around Bratislava with a knife in your hand, it may attract the attention of the police, who will deal with the situation individually.

Prohibited means of defense

There are no specific prohibitions regarding common defensive means in Slovakia.

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Austria

Permitted means of defense

Austria allows the possession of ordinary knives, pepper spray and telescopic batons. Here too, it is recommended to use the means discreetly and in accordance with the purpose.

Restrictions

Austrian law prohibits knives with a concealed blade (for example, knives hidden in sticks or other objects). Boxers and other means with a primary purpose of increased wounding are also prohibited. Telescopic batons may be subject to control, depending on their size and use. The police can assess the situation at their own discretion.

Prohibited means of defense

Boxers, shooting knives and concealed weapons are subject to strict regulations and their possession or carrying may be a criminal offense.

Telescopic batons may be subject to control in Austria, depending on their size and use.

Germany

Permitted means of defense

In Germany, it is legal to own small pocket knives with a blade shorter than 8.5 cm, as long as the blade is not locked and the knife cannot be opened with one hand. Victorinox Swiss Army knives are an ideal example.

Restrictions

Pepper sprays may only be permitted for self-defense against animals. Telescopic batons and electric stun guns are prohibited without special permission. When transporting knives, for example on fishing trips, these items must be locked and their use must be properly justified.

Prohibited means of defense

All knives with a blade longer than 12 cm, knives that can be opened with one hand and any knives with a spring mechanism are strictly prohibited. Prohibited means include butterfly knives, switchblades, boxers and double-edged blades. All weapons or devices with the primary purpose of injuring or attacking are subject to strict regulations.