No, spearguns are prohibited under Belgian law unless explicitly permitted for specific professional or scientific purposes. The Royal Decree of 6 July 2017 on weapons and ammunition classifies spearguns as Category 4 weapons, requiring authorization from the Federal Police’s Direction générale de la Sécurité et de la Prévention (DGSP). Private ownership is effectively banned, with exceptions for licensed divers or researchers under stringent conditions.
Key Regulations for Spearguns in Belgium
- Categorization: Spearguns fall under Category 4 weapons, necessitating prior approval from the DGSP for possession or use.
- Authorization Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate a legitimate need (e.g., professional diving) and pass a background check, including criminal and mental health assessments.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Amendments to the 2017 decree, effective January 2026, tighten scrutiny on “improvised” spearguns, requiring certification for any device capable of propelling a projectile beyond 2 joules of energy.
Violations carry penalties up to €10,000 and confiscation, per the Code pénal belge (Article 38). Importation without authorization is treated as arms trafficking under EU regulations. Local authorities in Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels enforce these rules uniformly, with no regional deviations.