Germany

This page details all information about night vision specific to Germany.

Manufacturers

• Harder Digital

Retailers

• NightTec
• IEA Mil-Optics GmbH

Laws

Generally, image intensifiers and thermal devices are completely unregulated and free to trade, own and use.

Export to non-EU countries falls under the EU dual use regulations.

Firearms

Certain firearm-mounted equipment is prohibited by the Waffengesetz § 2.3 & annex 2.

According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.2 gun-mounted night vision attachments & sights are prohibited if they include an electronic image converter or an image intensifier.

According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.1 gun-mounted devices that illuminate the target (e.g. flashlights) or mark the target (e.g. lasers) are also prohibited.

Notes:

• Image converters include infrared and thermal.
• This includes illuminators in the non-visual spectrum.
• Naturally, attaching regular night vision devices, flashlights or laser pointers to a firearm (e.g. duct taping) is also prohibited.
• Allthough cameras are image converters to an extent they don't seem to strictly fall under this category.
• Although universal adapters aren't strictly prohibited, there have been alleged cases where the combination of a universal adapter "next to" a compatible flashlight or night vision device have been interpreted as illegal attachment.
• Recently, ownership & usage of night vision attachments and sights became legal for bearers of a hunting license for the sole purpose of hunting. This change might not have been implemented yet in the laws of the different federal states.

Military

The German armed forces mostly use Gen. 2 night vision monoculars and binoculars.

German special forces, like the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), have been seen using the American GPNVG-18.