Can I fish recreationally in Cyprus?
Yes — but you need a licence from the Department of Fisheries. A recreational licence from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research is mandatory for all categories: vessel, speargun, dams, fish traps. Apply at licence.dfmr.moa.gov.cy; applications are examined within 2 working days. Every licence expires on 31 December of the year of issue. Minimum age 12 for an independent dam licence; 12–18-year-olds need written parental consent. At dams: rod only, one per person, with daily catch limits. Selling the catch is prohibited. In short: yes, with a licence and limits.
📋 The rules
- Fisheries licence mandatory for all categories
- Apply online; expires 31 December
- Minimum age 12 (12–18 with parental consent)
- Dams: rod only, one per person
- Daily catch limits; selling prohibited
🔓 Exceptions
- Some dams permanently closed or catch-and-release
- Spearfishing: freediving only, with a marker buoy/flag
- Some dams closed 1 Jan–30 Jun
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Breaching the Fisheries Law (Cap. 135) or licence conditions carries a fine of up to €8,542, or up to 6 months imprisonment, or both. Dam fees are commonly cited ~€35 (all dams) or ~€17 (single dam); the platform sets the fee dynamically. Spearfishing allows freediving only — scuba and night spearing with lights are prohibited; a surface marker buoy with a red/white flag is required. Beware a myth: "sea or shore fishing needs no licence" is false — the licence explicitly covers vessel, speargun and trap fishing, not just freshwater. Tip: carry the licence and observe the daily limits.
📎 Official sources
- licence.dfmr.moa.gov.cy · licence application →
- gov.cy · issue of fishing licence →
- Department of Fisheries & Marine Research →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a licence for recreational fishing?
Yes. A recreational licence from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research is mandatory for all categories, that is vessel, speargun, dam and trap fishing. The application is made online and examined within two working days.
When does the licence expire?
Every licence expires on 31 December of the year of issue, regardless of the purchase date. So if you buy a licence in autumn, it's valid only until the end of that same year and must be renewed for the next.
What age is allowed?
The minimum age for an independent dam licence is 12. Ages 12 to 18 need written consent of a parent or guardian, while children under 12 may fish only on a parent's licence and under supervision.
Is spearfishing allowed?
Yes, but freediving only. Scuba tanks and night spearing with lights are prohibited. A surface marker buoy with a red and white flag is required, and you must keep clear of swimming areas and ports.
What penalties do I risk?
Breaching the Fisheries Law or licence conditions can bring a fine of up to €8,542, or up to six months imprisonment, or both. Selling the catch from recreational fishing is prohibited.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “fishing licence cyprus”
- “recreational fishing cyprus”
- “spearfishing cyprus licence”
- “department of fisheries licence cyprus”
- “dam fishing cyprus”
- “sea fishing licence cyprus”