Category D, no permit — but carrying it visibly costs 390–1,990 € and the spray itself

Updated July 2026

🌶️ Can I carry pepper spray for self-defence in Croatia?

With conditions

Quick answer

Yes — pepper spray is legal: a "sprayer of permitted harmless substances" is a category D weapon, needing neither a permit nor a notification. The catch is in how you carry it: category B, C and D weapons must not be made visible to other people in a public place, nor carried in a way that alarms them (Art. 29(5) of the Act on the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons by Citizens) — the offence costs 390–1,990 € or up to 30 days in prison, and the spray is confiscated. Using it in a public place costs 660–5,300 €. The myth "pepper spray is illegal in Croatia" is false; and so is the mirror myth that you may draw it whenever you feel threatened — only genuine self-defence is lawful.

📋 The rules

Classification: "sprayers of permitted harmless substances" are category D weapons (Art. 6(4)(3), Act on the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons by Citizens, NN 94/18, 42/20, 114/22) — "permitted weapons", for which neither approval nor notification is needed (Art. 8(4)); gov.hr confirms that only category B requires approval from MUP (the police).
Carrying: category B, C and D weapons "must not be made visible to other citizens in a public place, nor carried in a way that alarms citizens" (Art. 29(5)) — carry it concealed, in a bag or a pocket; a breach costs 390–1,990 € or up to 30 days in prison, with mandatory confiscation of the spray (Art. 71(1)(6) and (2), euro amounts under NN 114/22).
Use: using a weapon in a public place, or anywhere the safety of others could be endangered, costs 660–5,300 € or up to 60 days in prison, with confiscation (Art. 70(1)(12)); a category D object used to harass or attack becomes a "prohibited weapon" (Art. 8(1)), and any injury caused brings criminal liability for bodily harm.
Lawful use exists only in self-defence (Criminal Code Art. 21): a defence that is "absolutely necessary" to repel a simultaneous or immediately imminent unlawful attack on you or on another person — spraying someone pre-emptively because they merely "look threatening", or carrying on after the attack has stopped (excess), is punishable.
Related items: electric stun guns are also category D under the 2018 act (Art. 6(4)(2)) — they are no longer prohibited weapons; what really is banned is category A weapons and edged weapons intended for attack (possession: 130–660 €, Art. 72(1)(1)). No weapon may be carried with more than 0.50 g/kg of alcohol in your blood (Art. 29(3); 390–1,990 €, Art. 71(1)(4)).

🔓 Exceptions

Posted bans: you must respect publicly posted bans on bringing weapons into particular premises (courts, stadiums, clubs) — Art. 29(2); a breach falls into the most serious offence bracket, 660–5,300 € (Art. 70(1)(5)).
Borders and travel: sprays are not declared at the border, but other "everyday" category D items (airsoft, paintball) must be declared when crossing it (Art. 8(4)) — and other countries (the United Kingdom, for one) treat pepper spray as a prohibited weapon, so do not take it abroad with you.
Age: unlike category B (21) and C (21/18), the act lays down no explicit minimum age for acquiring category D — the "18+" rule quoted by shops is not confirmed in the text of the act; it is more accurate to say that sellers require you to be an adult.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

390–1,990 € or up to 30 days in prison plus confiscation of the spray for carrying it visibly or alarmingly; 660–5,300 € or up to 60 days for using it in a public place and for carrying a weapon where a ban is posted; any injury caused leads to criminal proceedings for bodily harm. The unexpected second consequence: a final conviction for an offence involving violence or weapons later disqualifies you from firearms licences (general conditions, Art. 11(2)(4)) — one moment of waving a spray around can cost you a future hunting or sport-shooting licence.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Is pepper spray legal in Croatia?

It is — a "sprayer of permitted harmless substances" is a category D weapon, for which neither approval nor notification is needed. The restriction concerns not possession but the way you carry and use it.

How am I allowed to carry it?

Concealed — in a bag or a pocket, so that in a public place it is neither visible to others nor carried in an alarming way (Art. 29(5)). A breach costs 390–1,990 € or up to 30 days in prison, and the spray is confiscated.

Can I use it if I feel threatened?

Only in self-defence against a simultaneous or immediately imminent unlawful attack (Criminal Code Art. 21). Spraying pre-emptively, or carrying on once the attack has stopped, is punishable, and using a weapon in a public place otherwise costs 660–5,300 €.

Does an 18+ age limit apply?

For category D the act lays down no explicit minimum age, unlike categories B and C. The "18+" rule comes from the practice of retailers, not from the text of the act — so it is the sellers who require you to be an adult.

Is the weapons act about to change?

A proposal for amendments (P.Z. 341) is in the parliamentary procedure and public consultation, but it has not been published in NN (Narodne novine, the official gazette). Until it is, the text in force applies: NN 94/18, 42/20 and 114/22, effective since 1 January 2023.

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