European countries that have banned fur farming

Europe is well advanced in the fight against fur farming, which is banned in 23 European countries (Poland being the latest), including, fortunately, Italy. But what does this ban entail? And what new restrictions are being considered? Why is production prohibited, and why is sales still permitted, at least in some cases and under specific regulations?

What does the ban provide?

The ban on fur farming is not the same in all European countries. In some cases it is full and already operational, in others it is itinerary (for example limited to some species), in others it has been approved but with a transition phase which allows the progressive closure of existing farms.

The point, in any case, is very clear: reduce to zero a supply chain considered increasingly problematic for animal welfare, environmental impact, and the health risks associated with intensive farming. It is a choice that also goes hand in hand with do not waste, because it avoids a huge use of natural resources, energy and land for non-essential products.

European countries with a ban on fur farming

Below is a list of European countries with existing bans, partial bans, or approved bans with a deferred entry into force. The dates indicate the year the ban came into force or, in more recent cases, the year of approval with a transition period.

European countries with formal bans on fur farming

• Austria – complete ban (in effect since 2005, with rules introduced in the early 2000s).
• Belgium – regional bans (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels), fully operational by 2023.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – ban in force since 2018.
• Czechia (Czech Republic) – complete ban in effect from 2019.
• Croatia – complete ban in effect from 2017.
• Ireland – total ban from 2022 (law approved in 2021).
• Italy – total ban established in 2021, effective from 2022.
• Luxembourg – complete ban in effect from 2018.
• Netherlands – total ban in force since 2021.
• Norway – ban with phase-out, fully effective from 2025.
• Northern Macedonia – ban in force since 2014.
• Serbia – ban in force since 2019.
• Slovenia – total ban in force since 2015.
• UK – ban introduced gradually (already in force for years, completed between 2000 and 2002 depending on the country of the Kingdom).

Countries with recent, partial or transitional bans

• Poland – Law signed in 2025: New farms banned immediately, existing sites closed with a transition period until 2034.
• Romania – ban approved in 2024, implementation expected from 1 January 2027.
• Slovakia – ban approved with full effect from 2025.
• Estonia – ban approved in 2024, effective January 1, 2026.
• Latvia – ban approved in 2022, with transition until 2028.
• Lithuania – ban approved in 2023, with a full stop from 2027.
• France – ban from 2021/2023 on farming of wild species for fur (does not cover every possible species equally).
• Bulgaria – a specific ban on mink farming (a targeted ban, not necessarily extended to all species) from 2024.
• Malta – there are no fur farms and the country has a policy of non-development of the sector.

What do you need for a fur coat?

To understand the significance of these bans, just remember how many animal lives it takes to make a single fur coat. The numbers vary depending on the size of the item, the manufacturing process, and the species, but these estimates help to understand the magnitude of the problem.

• about 50 minks
• about 40 raccoons or raccoon dogs
• about 14 lynxes
• about 12 lupi
• about 110 squirrels
• about 160 chinchillas

Further bans under discussion in Europe

The debate isn't over. At the European level, pressure continues for more uniform regulation, especially since countries with very strict bans coexist with countries with weaker rules or long transition periods.

The topic has also entered the European institutional debate through the citizens' initiative Fur Free Europe, which calls for stronger measures both on livestock farming and on the marketing of products. This means that the framework could change further in the coming years and become more restrictive.

Ban on sale and importation

A fundamental distinction must be made here, which often generates confusion. Ban breeding in a country does not automatically mean banning also all sale or import of furs on its market or throughout the European Union.

For some rare or protected species, specific regulations on international trade come into play. wildlife (such as the CITES system and related European regulations), with very strict bans or authorizations. For other furs, however, the sale may still be permitted within certain regulatory limits.

Precisely for this reason, the real issue today is transparency: understanding the product's origin, the animal species involved, and the applicable legal framework. Even as consumers, choosing not to buy fur remains the most direct way to do not waste resources and not feed a supply chain that many countries are progressively closing down.

Read also

• Minks: will they be culled after the closure?
• Eco-friendly furs pollute more than normal ones
• The dark side of fashion