On Friday 23 October STS has received an update regarding arrangements for the European Firearms Pass (EFP) ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU so we wanted to advise shooters of the changes that will be coming into force from 1 January 2021.
Changes to EFPs
When the UK transition period ends, from 1 January 2021 residents of Great Britain will no longer be able to apply for a European Firearms Pass (EFP) or use one to travel to the EU with their firearm or shotgun.
Residents of Northern Ireland will still be able to request an EFP and to use it to take a lawfully owned firearm to an EU country, including the Republic of Ireland, from 1 January 2021.
What this Means for STS Members
Before travelling, GB residents will need to check and follow the licensing requirements of any EU country they will be in with a firearm from 1 January 2021, as well as UK import and export controls. This includes if you are in an EU country on 1 January 2021.
Countries may have varying lead times for applying for licenses, so we recommend checking requirements well ahead of travelling.
If you’re sponsoring an EU visitor bringing a firearm to GB, you should apply to Police Scotland for a visitor’s permit like now but will not need to produce the visitor’s valid EFP. Visitor’s permits issued before the transition period ends will stay valid until they expire.
Guidance on this can be found on the UK Government’s website at: GOV.UK