<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-04-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000354908</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FLIR SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FLIR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001670565</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Cooney Paula M.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>27700 SW PARKWAY AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILSONVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97070</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Chief HR Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>EX 24-Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sonia Galindo, Attorney-in-fact for Paula M. Cooney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-04-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
