Can I carry a weapon for self-defence?
No: carrying a weapon for self-defence or "just in case" is illegal. A knife is lawful only when justified by genuine use (professional, domestic, hunting, fishing, hiking) — the test is the use, not the blade, and the burden is on you. Self-defence is not a valid justification. Pepper spray, tasers, batons, knuckledusters and spring-knives are legally weapons under Law 2168/1993 (after Law 4678/2020) and need a permit not granted to ordinary citizens. Law 5187/2025 tightened the rules (minimum age 17 for permitted knives, a more serious category for schools/sports venues). In short: no weapon for self-defence.
📋 The rules
- Carrying for self-defence: illegal
- Knife: lawful only with justified use
- Pepper spray/taser/baton: weapons (Law 2168/1993)
- Weapon permit: not granted to ordinary citizens
- Law 5187/2025: minimum age 17 for permitted knives
🔓 Exceptions
- Work/hunting/hiking tools: with genuine use
- A knife at home or the workplace: lawful
- Dye-only sprays: sold legally — not a self-defence right
⚠️ Penalties & fines
These are criminal offences, not mere fines. Illegal carrying is punished with imprisonment of at least 6 months and a monetary penalty (~€590–600). Aggravated carrying (public gatherings, transport, alcohol venues) doubles the minimums, up to 10 years in serious cases. Beware myths: "pepper spray is legal for women's self-defence" — wrong (only a parliamentary proposal exists, not law); "any small pocket knife is fine" — wrong (legality turns on justified use, not size). To stay compliant: don't carry a weapon for self-defence; keep a knife only where there's genuine, lawful use (work, hunting, fishing), and avoid sprays/tasers/batons that count as weapons.
📎 Official sources
- Law 2168/1993 — weapons and ammunition →
- Law 4678/2020 (Gazette A' 70/2020) →
- Law 5187/2025 — carrying/knives →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I keep a knife for self-defence?
No. Carrying a weapon for self-defence or "just in case" is illegal. A knife is lawful only when justified by genuine use, such as professional, domestic, hunting, fishing or hiking. The test is the use, not the type of blade.
Is pepper spray legal?
Not for free carrying. Pepper spray, along with tasers, batons and knuckledusters, counts as a weapon under Law 2168/1993 and needs a permit not granted to ordinary citizens. The claim that it's allowed for women's self-defence is a myth.
Is a small pocket knife allowed?
It's not judged by size. Even a small pocket knife is illegal if carried without justified use. By contrast, a work or hunting knife may be lawful. What matters is always the genuine, lawful use you can demonstrate.
What penalty applies?
Illegal carrying is a criminal offence, with imprisonment of at least 6 months and a monetary penalty. Aggravated carrying, e.g. at gatherings, on transport or in alcohol venues, doubles the minimums and can reach up to 10 years in serious cases.
What about dye sprays?
Sprays that emit only dye/colour are sold legally and used as an alternative, but that isn't a lawful right to self-defence with a weapon. There's no general right to carry a defence device; actual "weapons" remain illegal without a permit.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “knife self-defence law greece”
- “pepper spray legal greece”
- “carrying weapon fine penalty”
- “law 2168/1993 weapons”
- “taser baton illegal”
- “pocket knife law”