If you're thinking about buying a crossbow, one of the first questions you're likely to ask is: do I need a licence for a crossbow in the UK?
The short answer
At present, you do not need a licence to buy or own a crossbow in the UK, provided you meet the relevant age requirements.
Crossbows are not currently licensed in the same way as firearms and shotguns. However, there are important laws governing who can buy and possess one, where and how they can be used, and what you can shoot with them.
There are also significant changes to UK crossbow law planned. In March 2026, the Government announced its intention to introduce a licensing system for existing crossbow owners and to prohibit future sales. These proposals are not the same as the law currently in force, and further details are expected before the new system is introduced.
Below, we've answered some of the most common questions about buying, owning and using a crossbow in the UK.
Do you need a licence for a crossbow in the UK?
No. Under the law currently in force, there is no general licence or registration requirement for an adult to own a crossbow in the UK.
This is one of the major differences between crossbows and firearms. A firearm or shotgun may require the appropriate certificate, whereas there is currently no equivalent crossbow certificate.
The Home Office specifically confirms that the UK's present crossbow controls are principally based around age restrictions and restrictions on their use, rather than a licensing or registration system.
Are crossbows legal in the UK?
Yes, crossbows are legal to own in the UK under the current law.
They are commonly used for activities including recreational target shooting and organised crossbow sport.
Legal ownership does not mean that a crossbow can be carried or used anywhere you like. Crossbows are powerful pieces of equipment and should always be transported, stored and used responsibly.
You should only shoot somewhere suitable, where you have permission to do so and where there is no risk of bolts leaving the shooting area or endangering another person.
How old do you have to be to buy a crossbow in the UK?
You must be 18 or over to purchase or hire a crossbow in the UK.
The Crossbows Act 1987 makes it an offence to sell or hire a qualifying crossbow or relevant crossbow parts to somebody under 18. The legislation applies to crossbows with a draw weight of 1.4kg (3lb) or greater.
This means that reputable UK crossbow retailers will require age verification when selling crossbows.
The restriction doesn't just apply to complete crossbows. Certain crossbow components such as crossbow limbs are also covered by the legislation.
Can someone under 18 use a crossbow?
There are restrictions on possession by under-18s.
A person under 18 must not have with them a crossbow capable of discharging a missile, or the necessary parts that could be assembled into one, unless they are supervised by someone aged 21 or over.
So, while younger people can take part in supervised crossbow shooting, simply allowing somebody under 18 to independently possess or take a crossbow away with them is very different.
For families introducing younger shooters to archery or crossbow shooting, proper adult supervision and a safe shooting environment are essential.
Can I buy a crossbow online in the UK?
Yes, under the law currently in force, adults can buy crossbows online from UK retailers.
Retailers still have a responsibility to ensure crossbows are not sold to anyone under the legal age.
The law in this area is changing.
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 contains new rules designed to introduce a stronger two-stage age and identity verification process for remote crossbow sales.
Once brought into force, the measures are intended to require online sellers to verify the buyer using photographic identification and a current photograph. Additional checks would then take place when the crossbow is delivered, helping ensure it is handed to the correct adult purchaser. The legislation also contains restrictions around delivery to lockers and unattended delivery.
At the time of writing, these particular provisions are shown in legislation as prospective rather than fully in force. Buyers should therefore be aware that online purchasing and delivery requirements are likely to change.
Do you need a firearms certificate for a crossbow?
No. A crossbow is not treated as a firearm for the purpose of requiring a standard firearm or shotgun certificate.
Buying a crossbow therefore does not normally involve applying to the police for a Firearm Certificate or Shotgun Certificate under the present system.
It is worth keeping the distinction clear because airguns, firearms, shotguns, bows and crossbows can all be subject to very different legislation.
A lack of licensing does not remove your responsibility to use a crossbow safely and lawfully.
Can you shoot a crossbow in your garden?
There isn't a simple rule saying that owning a garden automatically makes it suitable for crossbow shooting.
What matters is whether the location allows the crossbow to be used safely and lawfully.
Crossbow bolts can retain considerable energy over distance. You need to consider the target, suitable backstops, neighbouring property, roads, footpaths, animals and the possibility of a missed shot.
A bolt should never be able to leave the area in which you have permission to shoot.
In practice, a properly designed shooting range or suitable private land with an effective backstop will generally offer a much safer environment than attempting to shoot in a small residential garden.
Can I shoot a crossbow on private land?
Potentially, yes.
For recreational target shooting, you need permission from the person who owns or controls the land and you need a location where shooting can take place safely.
Having permission to be on somebody's land doesn't make every form of crossbow use legal, however.
In particular, you cannot simply use a crossbow to hunt wildlife because you have the landowner's permission.
Landowners and shooters remain responsible for complying with the law as well as making sure bolts cannot endanger people beyond the shooting area.
Can you hunt with a crossbow in the UK?
No. Crossbows must not be used for hunting wildlife in the UK.
This is an important distinction because crossbows are used for hunting in some other countries, which means UK buyers can encounter overseas videos and product information discussing hunting applications.
That does not make the practice legal here.
Government guidance explicitly states that bows and crossbows cannot be used for hunting wildlife. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 also prohibits the use of a bow or crossbow for killing or taking wild animals in the circumstances covered by the Act.
Crossbows sold in the UK should therefore be viewed as equipment for target, recreational and sporting use — not hunting.
Can I use a crossbow for pest control?
No. You should not use a crossbow for pest control or hunting animals in the UK.
This is another area where information online can be misleading because laws differ significantly between countries.
If you need to undertake lawful pest control, you should use an appropriate legal method for the species and circumstances involved and follow the relevant UK guidance.
A crossbow shouldn't be treated as an alternative to an air rifle or other lawful pest-control equipment.
Can you carry a crossbow in public in the UK?
You should not carry a crossbow around in public without a legitimate reason.
Simply because an item is legal to own does not mean it is appropriate to carry it openly or unnecessarily in a public place.
When transporting a crossbow to or from a legitimate activity, such as travelling to a shooting range, it is sensible to keep it unloaded, secured and contained within an appropriate crossbow case or bag.
Bolts should also be transported safely.
Avoid situations where the crossbow is immediately accessible or could reasonably cause alarm. UK law surrounding offensive weapons and possession in public can depend heavily upon the circumstances and the reason for having an item with you.
How should I transport a crossbow?
For safe and responsible transportation:
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Unload the crossbow before travelling.
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Do not transport it cocked.
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Use a suitable crossbow case or secure bag.
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Keep bolts securely stored.
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Travel directly to and from your legitimate destination where practical.
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Don't leave the crossbow visible inside an unattended vehicle.
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Never carry it around unnecessarily in a public place.
A good-quality case also protects the limbs, string, scope and other components while the crossbow is being transported.
How should I store a crossbow at home?
Although current UK crossbow legislation does not impose the same storage regime that applies to licensed firearms, secure storage is strongly recommended.
A crossbow should be kept somewhere that children, visitors and unauthorised people cannot access it.
Ideally, keep the crossbow unloaded and uncocked in a secure case or locked storage area, with bolts stored securely as well.
If somebody under 18 lives in or regularly visits the property, secure storage becomes particularly important.
Responsible storage protects both the people around you and your equipment.
Do crossbow bolts require a licence?
Standard crossbow bolts do not currently require a general licence to purchase or own.
However, not every type of arrowhead or bolt should automatically be assumed to have identical legal treatment.
In particular, broadhead arrows and bolts have been part of the Government's recent review of crossbow legislation.
In March 2026, the Government announced that it plans to prohibit broadhead arrows, alongside its proposals for further controls on crossbows. The precise future rules and exemptions will depend on the legislation introduced following consultation.
Because this is a developing area of law, buyers should check the current rules before purchasing specialist arrowheads.
Are pistol crossbows legal in the UK?
Pistol crossbows are currently legal in the UK provided the relevant legal requirements are followed.
The same basic principles around age restrictions, responsible possession and lawful use still apply.
Don't assume that a smaller pistol crossbow is harmless. Even compact models can launch bolts with enough force to cause serious injury.
They should therefore be treated with the same fundamental safety rules as a larger crossbow.
Is there a maximum crossbow power or draw weight in the UK?
Unlike UK air rifles, where muzzle-energy thresholds such as 12 ft/lb are important to firearms legislation, crossbows are not generally regulated using the same kind of maximum legal power limit.
Crossbows are instead commonly described by their draw weight, often expressed in pounds (lbs), alongside bolt velocity in feet per second (FPS).
Higher draw weight or higher advertised velocity should never be interpreted as allowing a crossbow to be used for purposes that would otherwise be illegal.
Whether you're shooting a compact recreational model or a high-performance compound crossbow, the same fundamental legal and safety responsibilities remain.
Are crossbow laws changing in the UK?
Yes — and this is important for both existing owners and anyone considering buying a crossbow.
On 19 March 2026, the Government announced that it intends to introduce substantially tighter crossbow controls.
Its stated plans include:
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introducing a licensing scheme for existing crossbow owners
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introducing suitability checks as part of that licensing process
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prohibiting the sale of crossbows
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introducing further controls concerning broadhead arrows
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strengthening age and identity checks surrounding online crossbow sales and delivery
The Government said it anticipates existing owners being able to retain their crossbows provided they apply for a licence and satisfy the necessary suitability requirements. However, the detailed design of the licensing system is still subject to further consultation.
This means there is an important difference between the law today and the Government's planned future law.
Current position
At present, there is no general crossbow licence or registration scheme.
Future position
The Government intends to introduce licensing for existing owners and prohibit crossbow sales, but the final detail and implementation of that regime are still to be established.
Crossbow owners should therefore keep up to date with official guidance as the proposals progress.
If I already own a crossbow, will I need a licence in the future?
Based on the Government's announced plans, yes.
The Government has said that it intends to establish a licensing scheme covering existing crossbow owners.
Its March 2026 response states that it anticipates existing owners being able to keep their crossbows provided they apply for a licence and pass the required suitability checks.
At this stage, however, the precise application procedure, cost, timescale, eligibility requirements and transition period have not all been finalised.
Existing owners should therefore avoid assuming that either the current rules or speculative descriptions of the future scheme will remain permanent.
Is it illegal to own a crossbow without a licence right now?
No. As the law currently stands, simply owning a crossbow without a licence is not an offence because there is no general crossbow licensing system currently in operation.
This is perhaps the most important point to take away from this guide.
Government plans for future licensing have been announced, but an announcement that legislation will change is not the same thing as a licensing system already being in force.
We'll update this guide as the law develops.
So, do you need a licence for a crossbow in the UK?
For now:
No — adults do not currently need a licence to buy or own a crossbow in the UK.
However:
You must be 18 or over to buy one, younger users are subject to supervision requirements, crossbows cannot lawfully be used for hunting wildlife, and you remain responsible for transporting, storing and using one safely and lawfully.
Most importantly, UK crossbow legislation is currently changing.
The Government announced in March 2026 that it intends to move towards a licensing system for existing owners and prohibit future crossbow sales. Anyone interested in crossbow ownership should therefore make sure that the guidance they're reading is current rather than relying on older articles.
Buying a Crossbow from ANB
At Arrows and Bows, we supply a wide selection of recurve, compound and pistol crossbows, alongside bolts, targets, cases, cocking aids and other crossbow accessories.
Whether you're looking for your first recreational crossbow or upgrading an existing setup, choosing the right model isn't simply about buying the highest draw weight or FPS available.
Consider how and where you'll shoot, the size and weight of the crossbow, the cocking system, compatible bolts and — above all — the safety of your shooting environment.
Explore the ANB crossbow range to compare the latest crossbows, accessories and target-shooting equipment available in the UK.
UK Crossbow Law: Quick Answers
Do you need a licence for a crossbow in the UK?
No. There is currently no general crossbow licence required, although the Government has announced plans to introduce licensing for existing owners.
Are crossbows legal in the UK?
Yes, crossbows are currently legal to own subject to age restrictions and other laws governing their possession and use.
How old do you need to be to buy a crossbow?
You must be 18 or over.
Can someone under 18 use a crossbow?
An under-18 can possess a functioning crossbow when supervised by someone aged 21 or over.
Can you hunt with a crossbow in the UK?
No. Crossbows must not be used for hunting wildlife in the UK.
Can I use a crossbow for pest control?
No. A crossbow should not be used for hunting or pest control.
Can I buy a crossbow online?
Yes under the present rules, subject to age verification. Stricter online-sale and delivery requirements have been legislated for but are not yet fully in force.
Do crossbow bolts need a licence?
Standard bolts don't currently require a general licence, although changes are planned concerning broadhead arrows and bolts.
Will crossbows need a licence in the future?
The Government has announced plans for a licensing system covering existing crossbow owners. The detailed scheme is still to be finalised.
Can I shoot a crossbow on private property?
Target shooting may be possible on suitable private property with permission, provided it is done safely and lawfully. Owning or having permission to use land does not permit hunting with a crossbow.
This article is intended as general information about UK crossbow law and should not be treated as legal advice. Legislation and government guidance can change. Check current official guidance if you're unsure about your circumstances.
Last updated: October 2026