Knives and pepper spray in Hungary (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Hungary treats stabbing or cutting tools over 8 cm, spring knives, throwing stars and gas sprays as particularly dangerous items that may not be carried in public places or on public transport, with listed exceptions. A gas spray of at most 20 g without pelargonic acid vanillylamide or oleoresin capsicum may be carried if held in a case, closed container or under clothing.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | A stabbing or cutting tool with a stabbing length or cutting edge over 8 cm is a particularly dangerous item and may not be carried in a public place, public premises or on public transport unless an exception applies. The decree text read names no separate rule for folding knives. [1] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | A fixed-blade or other cutting or stabbing tool with a stabbing length or cutting edge over 8 cm may not be carried in a public place, public premises or on public transport, unless an exception applies (work, sport, traditions, hunting or daily life, with justification and carried hidden, wrapped or in a closed container). [1] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | Spring knives (rugóskés), throwing stars and devices that shoot a stabbing or cutting tool are particularly dangerous items whatever their size, and may be carried in public only under an exception. Spring knives and throwing stars may be sold only to the authorities listed in the decree. [1] |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | Over 8 cm of stabbing length or cutting edge. [1] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | Items used for work, sport, traditional activities, hunting or in the normal course of daily life, if carrying them in public is justified and, apart from actual use or necessary transport, they are carried hidden, wrapped in the usual way, dismantled or in a closed container. Also items needed for filming or theatre, and bodies and persons authorised by law. [1] |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | Gas sprays with more than 20 g of filling may be sold only to the authorities listed in the decree. Sprays containing pelargonic acid vanillylamide or oleoresin capsicum fall outside the 20 g exception. Gas sprays may not be sold by mail order, by agents, door to door or online. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | A gas spray of at most 20 g of filling that contains neither pelargonic acid vanillylamide nor oleoresin capsicum may be carried in public, except at events organised in public places. It may be carried only in a holster, box or closed container, or hidden under clothing. [1] |
Notes
- The decree sets a limit by blade length and names spring knives; it does not mention locking one-handed blades. This was not treated as a finding.
- The decree bans possessing "particularly dangerous items for public safety" in public places, public premises and on public transport, with exceptions. Breaking the rules on possessing, carrying or selling them is an offence under the Misdemeanours Act (2012. évi II. törvény, 198. §).
- Not covered by the ban: items used for their purpose for work, sport, traditional activities, hunting or in the normal course of daily life, if carrying them in public is justified, and, outside the actual use or necessary transport, they are carried hidden, wrapped in the usual way, dismantled or in a closed container. Items needed for filming or theatre are also excepted, as are bodies and persons authorised by law.
- Gas sprays (devices that spray an agent that incapacitates by irritating eyes, mucous membranes or skin) are on the list. The exception is for sprays of at most 20 g filling that contain neither pelargonic acid vanillylamide nor oleoresin capsicum, and not at events organised in public places. Sprays may be carried in public only in a holster, box, closed container or under clothing. They may not be sold by mail order, by agents, door to door or online.
Sources
- Országgyűlés / Kormány (Nemzeti Jogszabálytár, MKIFK): 175/2003. (X. 28.) Korm. rendelet a közbiztonságra különösen veszélyes eszközökről (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.