Where to practice sports shooting in Portugal?

Updated in December 2023

With its unique landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Portugal provides a distinctive setting for sports shooting enthusiasts.

From rural landscapes and urban environments to historical settings, the country boasts a multitude of locations specially equipped for the safe practice of sports shooting. Therefore, in this article, we will explore everything you need to know to engage in this discipline in Portugal, from the necessary licenses and rules to remember, to various recommendations for sports shooting clubs from the north to the south of the country.

Sports Shooting in Portugal: Where Should I Go?

Fortunately, in Portugal, it is possible to find various sports shooting clubs scattered throughout all regions. These clubs are perfect for improving your shooting technique (whether amateur or professional) or simply dedicating some of your time to your favorite hobby.

So, below, get to know some of the places in Portugal where you can unleash your passion.

Sports shooting clubs in Northern Portugal

In Northern Portugal, we find several sports shooting clubs ready to welcome enthusiasts of this practice.

In the district of Viana do Castelo, you’ll find the Shooting Range of Viana do Castelo, managed by the Viana do Castelo Shooting Society. This facility features two shooting lanes (compressed air and archery).

In the district of Braga, there are several options. In Braga, you have the Braga Shooting Range and the Bracara Augusta Shooting Club. In Barcelos, one of the places where you can practice is the Fervença Shooting Club, whose shooting ranges have a ground covered with black soil and vegetation, situated in an area of approximately 300×110 meters.

Also noteworthy is the Shooting Range of Esmeriz in Famalicão, and the 5 shooting ranges (Olympic Trap, Universal Trap/TRAP 5, Double Trap, Helices/Fan 32, Compak Sporting) managed by the Industrial Club of Pevidém in Guimarães

In the Porto district, there are also plenty of options. In Póvoa do Varzim, the Shooting Club of S. Pedro de Rates is another facility open to practitioners of the discipline, accommodating firearms for hunting and bullet or archery shooting.

In Vila Nova de Gaia, noteworthy is the Gaia Shooting Club, which organizes various training sessions and competitions. Finally, in Paredes, you’ll find the Recarei Shooting Range.

Sports shooting clubs in central Portugal.

In Central Portugal, we also find a wide variety of sports shooting clubs and ranges.

Starting with the capital, here are some of the sports shooting ranges in Lisbon:

Shooting Range at the National Sports Center of Jamor (CDNJ) in Cruz Quebrada
Sports Shooting Club Cacém-Sintra in Rio de Mouro
Loures Shooting Range
Sports Shooting Club Moita
Facilities suitable for sports shooting at JSR National Shooting Academy, in the former SPEL, in Corroios.
Field Shooting Club in Telheiras (with a primary focus on Field Target).

To find the nearest Sports Shooting Club/Association in your region, you can access the complete list of affiliated clubs on the website of the Portuguese Shooting Federation (FPT).

Sports shooting clubs in southern Portugalt

In the Algarve municipality of Silves, in Vales de Pêra, you’ll find the O Pinhal Shooting Complex. This is a space with 6 shooting ranges spread across 20 hectares located between the sea and the Algarvean ravine.

You can also discover an extraordinary place for international sports shooting tournaments at the Tavira Shooting Society. To find the nearest Sports Shooting Club/Association in your region, you can access the complete list of affiliated clubs on the website of the FPT (Portuguese Shooting Federation).

Sports shooting clubs in the Azores and Madeira

Sports shooting can also be practiced on the islands. To do so in Madeira, you just need to go to Club Sports Madeira, one of the oldest in the region, located in the city of Funchal.

In the Azores, you’ll find the Sports Shooting Club of São Miguel, a place where you can enjoy your passion amidst beautiful natural landscapes.

To find the nearest Sports Shooting Club/Association in your region, you can access the complete list of affiliated clubs on the website of the Portuguese Shooting Federation (FPT), the highest authority managing the sport in our country.

Sports shooting licenses

Now that you are familiar with the main places to practice sports shooting in Portugal, let’s delve into the legislation governing this magnificent sports discipline.

What is the minimum age to practice sports shooting?

To begin practicing federated sports shooting, a minimum age of 10 years is required. As long as the minor passes the Federative License Access Exam (TAC) organized by the FPT, they can only engage in shooting with freely acquired compressed air weapons.

At the age of 14, the minor can practice shooting with conditionally acquired compressed air weapons, as well as with firearms, provided they pass the Access Exam for this type of license (A/D) organized by the FPT.

For participation in this discipline, the minor requires the authorization of the legal guardian.

What do I need to start practicing shooting sports?

To initiate yourself in the practice of federated sports shooting, you should follow these steps.

Register with a shooting club affiliated with the Portuguese Shooting Federation (FPT).
Pass the access exam for the Federative License, organized by the FPT.
Be registered with the FPT and hold the corresponding license.

It’s important to note that the license is valid for one calendar year and can be renewed/maintained as long as the rules established in the Federative License Regulations are not violated.

If you wish to practice the discipline with firearms that are not freely acquired, you must obtain the License for the Use and Carrying of Sports Shooting Weapons issued by the National Directorate of Public Security Police (DNPSP). Obtaining this license is dependent on obtaining the Federative License.

What is the federation license for sports shooting?

The “federation license for sports shooting” is a permit issued by the Portuguese Shooting Federation (FPT) that allows the practice of precision sports shooting. It is valid for one calendar year, and its maintenance and renewal are subject to compliance with the rules established in the Federation License Regulations.

This license can be presented at the following levels:

TAC: Allows exclusively the practice of sports shooting with freely acquired compressed air weapons, in modalities such as P10, P10 5 shots, C10, CCArt, Running Target, Field Target, and BenchRest 25.
Type A: Permits the use of freely and conditionally acquired compressed air revolvers, pistols, or rifles, up to 5.5 mm caliber, and revolvers, pistols, or rifles up to .22 caliber, provided the ammunition is rimfire.
Type B: Allows the practice of precision sports shooting disciplines mentioned in TAC and Type A, as well as disciplines using rifles between 6 mm and 8 mm caliber, and pistols and revolvers of .32 S&W Long Wadcutter or .38 Special Wadcutter caliber with a total length not less than 220 mm.
Type C: Allows the practice of precision sports shooting disciplines mentioned in the previous types and also the practice of Precision Shooting disciplines using pistols or revolvers up to 11.4 mm or .45 caliber.
Type D: Allows the practice of recreational sports shooting, involving the use of freely and conditionally acquired compressed air revolvers, pistols, or rifles up to 5.5 mm caliber, as well as revolvers, pistols, or rifles up to .22 caliber, provided the ammunition is rimfire, and also smoothbore shotguns up to 12 mm caliber.

Have you considered the licenses for practicing sports shooting?

In reality, a license is not required to possess and transport freely acquired compressed air weapons (in a case) with less than 24 Joules. However, please note that transportation can only be carried out from your residence to the designated location for training practice. Also, be familiar with the rules for transporting a compressed air rifle.

Now that you are aware of the legislation and the places in Portugal where there are Sports Shooting Clubs or Associations, it’s time to choose the best models to start practicing. Visit Mundilar‘s Online Store and select the most suitable weapons and accessories for you and your ambitions in Sports Shooting.