No, owning a flamethrower in Portugal is prohibited under national firearms legislation, which classifies such devices as prohibited weapons. The Regulamento de Armas e Munições (Decreto-Lei n.º 254/2003) explicitly bans their possession without special authorization, typically reserved for military or law enforcement use. Recent 2026 amendments to the Lei de Segurança Interna further tightened controls, requiring applicants to demonstrate “exceptional justification” for restricted items, a standard flamethrowers rarely meet.
Key Regulations for Owning a Flamethrower in Portugal
- Prohibition under firearms law: Flamethrowers are categorized as armas de guerra (war weapons) under Decreto-Lei n.º 254/2003, making private ownership illegal without a Licença Especial de Arma (Special Weapon License), which is nearly impossible to obtain.
- Strict licensing by PSP: The Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) enforces issuance of licenses, but approval requires proof of “legitimate need” (e.g., professional use in film production), with flamethrowers excluded from standard exemptions.
- 2026 compliance updates: Amendments to Lei n.º 5/2006 (Internal Security Law) now mandate background checks for all restricted items, including flamethrowers, and impose penalties of up to €3,740 for unauthorized possession.