Knives and pepper spray in Denmark (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Danish law bans carrying knives and bladed weapons in public places unless it is for work, hunting, angling, sport or a similar recognised purpose. Several knife types, and sharp weapons with a blade over 12 cm, need a police permit. Self-defence sprays need police permission, which is given only to people with a special need for protection.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | Knives and bladed weapons may not be carried or possessed in publicly accessible places, educational premises, youth clubs or after-school clubs, unless it is for work, hunting, angling, sport or a similar recognised purpose. Butterfly knives (folding knives with a two-part handle that open with one hand) need a police permit. [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | Butterfly knives (two-part handle, blade opens with one hand), spring knives, spring stilettos and falling knives need a police permit to acquire, own, carry or use. [1] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | Sharp or pointed weapons with a blade over 12 cm need a police permit. Knives and daggers over 12 cm may be acquired, owned and carried without one for work, household use, hunting, angling, sport or a similar recognised purpose, if designed for it. The general ban on carrying in public places also applies. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | Self-defence sprays, including tear-gas ampoules, sprays and cartridges, may not be acquired, owned, carried or used without police permission. The police can grant permission to carry pepper spray only to people with a special need for protection. [2] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | The ban on carrying knives and bladed weapons does not apply when it is for work, hunting, angling, sport or a similar recognised purpose. It also does not apply to the military, the police, civil state authorities and the royal court. Weapons that need a permit can be carried with a police permit. [1] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | Spring knives and spring stilettos, and falling knives and falling stilettos, need a police permit to acquire, own, carry or use. [1] |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | Sharp or pointed weapons with a blade over 12 cm need a police permit, with exceptions for work, household use, hunting, angling, sport or a similar recognised purpose. [1] |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | Pepper spray allowed under a police permit may not be stronger than 500,000 Scoville heat units. [2] |
Notes
- The Knives Act applies to knives and bladed weapons generally; it does not treat ordinary folding knives or fixed-blade knives separately. Offences carry a fine, up to 4 months' prison, or up to 2 years in aggravating circumstances (for example a knife on school premises or on public transport).
- Section 2(1) of the Knives Act lists the weapons that need a police permit: sharp or pointed weapons with a blade over 12 cm, knives with a transverse grip meant for thrusting, spring knives and spring stilettos, falling knives and falling stilettos, butterfly knives, neck knives that can be drawn with one hand, throwing stars, knives and axes, and sword sticks and other bladed weapons disguised as another object.
- Under the Weapons Order the police may give a pepper spray permit only to people with a special need for protection. The permitted spray may be carried in the home and in publicly accessible places and must be stored in the owner's home.
Sources
- Retsinformation: Bekendtgørelse af lov om knive og blankvåben m.v. (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Retsinformation: Bekendtgørelse om våben og ammunition mv. (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.