Yes, crossbows are legal in Romania for hunting and sport, but their use is tightly controlled under national firearms legislation. The 2006 Law on Weapons and Ammunition (Legea nr. 295/2006) classifies crossbows as Category D weapons, requiring registration with the Romanian Police (Poliția Română) for ownership. Hunters must hold a valid hunting license issued by the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (Ministerul Mediului, Apelor și Pădurilor), while sport shooters require authorization from the Romanian Shooting Federation (Federația Română de Tir). Recent 2026 amendments introduced mandatory background checks for crossbow purchasers, aligning with EU firearms directive compliance.
Key Regulations for Crossbows in Romania
- Hunting Authorization: Crossbows may only be used for hunting during approved seasons, as specified in regional hunting regulations issued by county-level environmental directorates (Direcțiile pentru Silvicultură și Protecția Mediului).
- Minimum Draw Weight: Legal hunting crossbows must exceed 150 lbs (68 kg) draw weight, per Order 158/2021 of the Ministry of Environment, to ensure humane kills.
- Storage & Transport: Unloaded crossbows must be stored in locked safes, and transportation requires a carrying case with the owner’s identification visible, per Police Directive 2023-04.