R. ferrumequinum is the largest European horseshoe bat with a wingspan of 330-400 mm and its soft fur changes from grey as a juvenile to grey-brown in adulthood. As with other Rhinolophidae, it has a complex nose structure which resembles a horseshoe and contributes towards its highly specialised echolocation system.
This species can be found in temperate Mediterranean habitats (e.g. hardwood and riparian forests, pastures) though it is present in some select central European areas. During summer, it roosts in warm attics of buildings and underground sites, while in winter the colonies tend to gather in large caves, tunnels and mines. Maternity colonies can reach 1 000 individuals though more often than not they are clusters of 100-200 individuals.
An insectivorous species, R. ferrumequinum feeds on beetles, moths and other insects it catches using aerial hawking and flycatching techniques. The Greater Horseshoe bat is a rather sedentary species and the distance between its roosts ranges from 20-50 km.