Weapons Regulations in Spain

If you need to transport a knife or blade, here we explain the options depending on the mode of transportation:

1. Traveling by car

Knives with a blade up to 11 cm: You can carry them in the car if you are heading to an activity where their use is necessary, such as sports, hunting, or any recreational activity. However, it is not permitted to carry them to attend places like nightclubs, concerts, or demonstrations, nor for self-defense.

Knives with a blade longer than 11 cm: You must transport them in the trunk, within their original packaging, and accompanied by the purchase receipt or gift card, from the place of acquisition to your home or storage location.

Remember, if you acquire a knife in Albacete, it undergoes intervention by the Civil Guard, which guarantees its legality as long as you are of legal age.

2. Traveling by train

Handcrafted and bladed weapons: You can transport handcrafted bladed weapons within 72 hours of purchase, justified by the invoice and ensuring they are properly packaged and sealed. Your identification will be required at security checks.

Permitted objects: Knives with blades shorter than 6 cm and scissors with blades less than 6 cm can also pass security controls without issues.

3. Traveling by plane

Carrying bladed weapons or any pointed objects in hand luggage is prohibited on flights. All these items must be in checked luggage, preferably well packed to prevent incidents during transport.

General Regulations

You may purchase and transport non-prohibited cutting tools from dedicated sales establishments to your home, always respecting current regulations. Currently, Royal Decree 137/1993 regulates the possession, use, purchase, sale, circulation, and manufacturing of bladed weapons in Spain.

Royal Decree 137/1993

• Article 2: Defines a bladed weapon as any sharp or pointed object consisting of a metallic blade or similar material.
• Article 3: Details the 5th category of weapons, which includes knives, machetes, and other non-prohibited cutting weapons.
• Article 4: Prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, and possession of automatic weapons or blades under 11 cm with double edges and a sharp tip, as well as baton-stile weapons and daggers.
• Article 5: Non-automatic knives longer than 11 cm are permitted only for ornamental or collection purposes, and must be acquired with the intervention of the Civil Guard.

Furthermore, according to Article 106, the manufacture and importation of 5th category weapons are supervised by the Civil Guard, which regularly inspects manufacturing and sales processes.

Organic Law 4/2015 on Citizen Security Protection

Authorities may conduct checks on persons, property, and vehicles to ensure that weapons are not carried illegally. This includes the possibility of temporarily confiscating any object that could threaten public safety, even if the individual holds a license to carry it.

Infractions

• Carrying or displaying prohibited weapons, or using them recklessly, negligently, or intimidatorily in public places.
• Manufacturing, storing, or selling weapons without complying with applicable regulations.

Weapons Regulations

According to Article 146 of the Weapons Regulation, it is prohibited to carry or display short firearms or bladed weapons outside the home or sporting activities. The use of these weapons is at the discretion of authorities, who will assess whether it is necessary to carry such weapons in each situation.

If you need more information about transporting cutlery or current regulations, we invite you to explore more details in Royal Decree 137/1993 and Organic Law 4/2015.

The possibility of traveling or carrying knives, swords, or other bladed weapons in Spain is restricted according to the Law:

1. Definition and Category: A "bladed weapon" is defined as any object consisting of a metallic or similar material blade, sharp or pointed. Bladed weapons and generally those with a cutting or pointed blade that are not prohibited, as well as knives or machetes used by military units or imitations thereof, are classified in the 5th category.

2. Acquisition and Possession at Home: The acquisition and possession of 5th category weapons, including 1 (bladed weapons and generally those with a cutting or pointed blade that are not prohibited), is free for adults. Some prohibited bladed weapons (such as non-automatic knives with blades exceeding 11 centimeters) can only be possessed inside the home, for ornamental and collection purposes, with intervention by the Civil Guard in their manufacture and sale. Imitations of firearms that may cause confusion, even if they cannot be transformed into firearms, are also prohibited from possession, except within the home as decorative or collectible objects. Museums, collectors, or organizations referred to in Article 107 may have weapons related to Article 5 (which includes some prohibited bladed weapons) under the conditions specified therein.

3. Prohibition of Carrying and Use in Public: Carrying, displaying, and using outside the home, workplace, or relevant sporting activities, any kind of bladed weapons, especially those with pointed blades, as well as categories 5, 6, and 7 weapons, is prohibited. The use of knives, machetes, and other bladed weapons that are part of armaments duly approved by authorities or competent organizations is also prohibited. The commercialization, advertising, sale, possession, and use of non-automatic knives with blades exceeding 11 centimeters (measured from the edge or stop of the handle to the tip) are also prohibited.

4. Travel and Transport: Although sources mention the circulation and transport of weapons in general, specific sections on travel or international transit mainly focus on regulated firearms and the need for the European Firearms Pass to travel within or through EU member states. The explicit prohibition of carrying bladed weapons outside the home, work, or sporting activities implies that carrying them during a trip (in public places) is prohibited. Authorities may conduct checks to prevent illegal carrying or use of weapons in public roads, places, and establishments.

5. Penalties: Carrying firearms or any other weapons in public establishments and places of gathering, recreation, or entertainment, except in designated areas, is considered a serious infraction, punishable by fines and confiscation of weapons. Using firearms or other weapons without taking necessary precautions to avoid danger, damage, or disturbance, or violating the prohibitions of Article 146 (carrying in public places), is also punishable by fines and confiscation. Infractions related to bladed weapons, compressed air weapons, or other categories 4 to 7, even if not criminal offenses, may be considered minor infractions with fines of up to 300.51 euros.