No, carrying a sword in public in Germany is generally prohibited under the Weapons Act (Waffengesetz, WaffG), with exceptions for ceremonial, historical, or professional contexts requiring permits from local Ordnungsamt authorities.
Key Regulations for Carrying a Sword in Public in Germany
- Prohibition under §42a WaffG: Swords are classified as category 1 weapons, banning public carriage without authorization. Violations incur fines up to €10,000 or imprisonment.
- Permit Exceptions: Legal carriage requires a Waffenbesitzkarte (WBK) or Waffenschein, issued only for historical reenactments, film productions, or professional use (e.g., stage combat instructors), subject to Ordnungsamt approval.
- Local Enforcement Variability: Municipal authorities (e.g., Berlin’s Landesamt für Einwanderung or Munich’s Polizeipräsidium) may impose additional restrictions, including mandatory transport in locked cases or prior notification for events.
Note: The 2026 amendment to the WaffG expands digital verification of permits via the Bundeswehrwaffenregister, tightening compliance checks for historical groups. Transporting swords in vehicles without a valid permit remains a prosecutable offense under §53 WaffG.