Legislation on Night Vision, Infrared and Thermal Imaging in the EU

Complete country-by-country guide — European Union · Updated June 2026

Night vision (light amplification), infrared (IR), and thermal imaging equipment is rapidly becoming more widespread, both for hunting and wildlife observation and for professional uses (security, surveillance, search and rescue). However, their acquisition, possession, and use are subject to very different legal frameworks across the European Union.

There is no unified EU legislation specifically dedicated to civilian night vision devices. Regulation (EU) No 428/2009 (revised by EU 2021/821) on the control of exports of dual-use goods establishes a common framework for extra-EU trade, but rules for domestic use fall under the jurisdiction of each Member State.

✔ Free / Allowed ⚠ Allowed under certain conditions ✘ Prohibited / Very restricted

Common European Regulatory Framework

Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 — Dual-use goods

This regulation classifies equipment capable of having both civilian and military applications ("dual use"). High-performance thermal imaging and night vision devices (resolution, sensitivity) may be subject to it, which implies export authorizations outside the EU. Regulation (EU) 2021/821 modernized this framework.

Directive 91/477/EEC (firearms) and its revisions

The Firearms Control Directive regulates accessories that can be mounted on a firearm, including night vision sights. Night vision or thermal imaging scopes mounted on a firearm are subject to the same restrictions as the firearm itself.

Fundamental distinctions common to the entire EU

• Observation use (hands-free required): generally permitted for the general public in most countries.
• Mounting on a weapon: heavily regulated, often prohibited or subject to special authorization.
• Military use only: prohibited for civilians (Gen 3 type intensifier tube, etc.).​
• Active vs. passive infrared: Active IR (integrated illuminator) is often more permissive than passive IR (pure thermal).

Country-Specific Regulations — The 27 EU Member States

🇫🇷

France

⚠ Terms

• France regulates this through Article R. 311-2 of the Internal Security Code. Equipment using light intensification or passive infrared for exclusively military use is classified in category A2 (weapons of war) and is completely prohibited for civilian use.
• Civilian devices are permitted provided they are handheld. All hands-free devices (helmet mounts, head attachments) are prohibited, even on private property.
• The portable thermal camera is available for purchase without a license. Its use for hunting is prohibited except with prefectural authorization for wild boar or foxes.
• References: Art. R.311-2 CSI, decree of 4 January 2019, Environmental Code art. L424-4.

🇩🇪

Germany

⚠ Terms

• The German Federal Hunting Act (BJagdG) regulates night vision devices. Possession of thermal binoculars or monoculars without a weapon mounting interface is legal.
• Mounting a night vision or thermal scope on a weapon requires official authorization from the regional hunting authorities.
• Since 2020, exceptions have been created for the fight against African Swine Fever (ASF), allowing the use of thermal clip-on devices for wild boar hunting. Regulations vary by state: North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is more restrictive than Bavaria.

🇪🇸

Spain

⚠ Terms

• Spain adopts a regionalized approach: the autonomous communities establish their own regulations. The possession of thermal or night vision equipment for observation is generally unrestricted.
• Most CCAAs have opened exceptions for nighttime regulation of wild boar (Andalusia, Castile and León, Extremadura, Community of Madrid).

🇮🇹

Italy

⚠ Terms

• Framework established by the TULPS and the Legge sulla caccia n°157/1992. Possession for observation is legal.
• Thermal sights (monoculars) are permitted for hunting, but thermal scopes mounted on firearms are reserved for wild boar population control programs in agricultural areas. Regions may grant specific exemptions.

🇧🇪

Belgium

⚠ Terms

• The Law of June 8, 2006, concerning weapons, regulates accessories. Thermal binoculars and monoculars are freely available for observation. Mounting them on a firearm is prohibited without special authorization.
• Hunting management is regionalized (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels-Capital). Wallonia authorizes nighttime wild boar culling under certain conditions, but without thermal imaging devices mounted on firearms for ordinary hunters.

🇳🇱

The Netherlands

Permissive

• The Netherlands is one of the most permissive countries in Europe. Digital night vision goggles and thermal imaging devices are legal, including when mounted on weapons.
• Hunting is highly regulated (few species, few areas), but licensed hunters can use digital systems. Note: silencers are prohibited.

🇵🇱

Poland

Permissive

• Poland is one of the most open countries in Europe. The Prawo łowieckie permits the use of thermal imaging cameras for night hunting of several species.
• Wild boar, fox, badger and certain predators can be hunted at night with weapon-mounted thermal equipment by hunters holding a valid permit.

🇸🇪

Sweden

⚠ Terms

• Sweden permits night vision and thermal imaging exclusively for wild boar hunting, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This exception was introduced to combat wild boar overpopulation and African swine fever. For all other species, night hunting with this equipment is prohibited.

🇫🇮

Finland

⚠ Terms

• Finland permits the use of night-vision and thermal imaging equipment for certain types of night hunting, specifically for wild boar and certain predators. The legal framework is the *Metsästyslaki* (Hunting Act). Civilian possession is unrestricted.

🇦🇹

Autria

⚠ Terms

• Hunting regulations are the responsibility of the federal states (*Länder*). Possession for observation purposes is unrestricted. Use for hunting depends on the specific state: some authorize thermal imaging for wild boar. Mounting the device on a firearm generally requires authorization from the state hunting association (*Landesjagdverband*).

🇨🇿

Czech Republic

Permissive

• The *Zákon o myslivosti* (Hunting Act) authorizes thermal and night-vision equipment for the population control of wild boar, foxes, and badgers. Civilian ownership is largely unrestricted.

🇭🇺

Hungary

Permissive

• Hungary permits the night hunting of certain species (wild boar, fox, golden jackal) using night-vision and thermal equipment. Legal framework: *Vadászati törvény* (Hunting Act). Civilian possession is unrestricted.

🇸🇰

Slovakia

Permissive

• Slovakia permits the use of thermal and night-vision devices for the night hunting of wild boar and certain predators. Civilian ownership is unrestricted.

🇷🇴

Romania

✘ Restrictive

• The legal situation is unclear. Night hunting using thermal imaging is strictly prohibited, yet thermal accessories are being sold in gun shops without a clear legal framework. There is a real risk of confiscation.

🇮🇪

Ireland

⚠ Terms

• Portable (hands-free) thermal devices are legal. Mounting a night-vision or thermal scope on a firearm requires prior authorization from the Garda Síochána (national police). This applies to both thermal and standard night-vision equipment.

🇵🇹

Portugal

⚠ Terms

• Possession for observation purposes is unrestricted. Specific authorizations are required for hunting, particularly for the nocturnal control of wild boar. Legal framework: *Lei da Caça*.

🇬🇷

Greece

✘ Restrictive

• Night hunting is generally prohibited, and the mounting of night-vision or thermal systems on weapons is banned. Civilian possession of observation devices is tolerated but subject to little regulation.

🇧🇬

Bulgaria

Permissive

• Bulgaria permits the use of thermal imaging for the night hunting of wild boar and certain invasive species. Civilian ownership is unrestricted.

🇩🇰

Denmark

Permissive

• Denmark permits the use of thermal and night-vision equipment for the nocturnal control of wild boar and foxes. Legal framework: *Jagtloven*. Civilian possession is unrestricted.

🇭🇷

Croatia

Permissive

• Croatia permits the use of thermal imaging devices for certain types of night hunting, in accordance with the *Zakon o lovu* (Hunting Act). Civilian ownership is unrestricted.

🇸🇮

Slovenia

Permissive

• Slovenia permits the use of thermal equipment for night hunting of wild boar. Legal framework: *Zakon o divjadi in lovstvu*.

🇱🇺

Luxembourg

⚠ Terms

• There are no restrictions on the possession of observation devices. However, their use for hunting is strictly regulated due to the country's small size and high game densities.

🇱🇻

Latvia

Permissive

• Latvia permits the use of thermal and night-vision devices for hunting several species (wild boar, fox, raccoon). Civilian ownership is unrestricted.

🇱🇹

Lituania

Permissive

• Lithuania permits the use of thermal and night-vision equipment for the night hunting of wild boar and pest species. Civilian ownership is unrestricted.

🇪🇪

Estonia

Permissive

• Estonia takes a liberal approach: thermal imaging and night-vision devices are permitted for the night hunting of wild boar and several predator species. Civilian ownership is unrestricted.

🇲🇹

Malte

✘ Restrictive

• Malta enforces strict regulations. Night hunting is highly restricted. Possession of observation devices is tolerated but regulated by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit.

🇨🇾

Cyprus

✘ Restrictive

• Cyprus generally prohibits night hunting. The possession of night-vision equipment is regulated. Civilian use for observation purposes is tolerated.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Regulations regarding night vision, infrared, and thermal imaging in Europe are fragmented and constantly evolving. Here are the key trends to note for 2025–2026:

• Civil possession for observation purposes is permitted almost universally across the EU for handheld devices that lack a weapon-mounting interface.
• Mounting it on a weapon is the deciding factor in the vast majority of countries. Without special authorization, it constitutes an offense.
• The fight against ASF (African Swine Fever) has opened up significant opportunities regarding wild boar in countries that were previously very restrictive (Germany, Sweden, etc.).
• Central and Eastern European countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Hungary) generally have more liberal regulations regarding night hunting.
• The Mediterranean zone (Greece, Malta, Cyprus) remains the most restrictive in the EU.
• Before purchasing or traveling with internal combustion or electric-powered equipment, consult the applicable national legislation and, for hunting, the applicable regional regulations.

⚠ Legal Disclaimer: This document is provided for informational purposes only. Laws change rapidly. Consult a qualified legal professional or the competent authorities in each country before any acquisition or use. ​