🎣 Can I fish recreationally without a licence?

With conditions

Quick answer

Largely yes: recreational fishing is allowed, with limits. For the common cases (shore, surface, spearfishing) no individual licence is currently required. But a daily 5 kg limit of fish/person/24h applies (10 kg with longlines), and selling the catch is banned. Spearfishing is free-diving only (no breathing apparatus), with a muscle-powered speargun, from 16 (16–17 with adult free-diver supervision) and daylight only. Spearfishing is banned within 200 m of swimmers/organised beaches, and a marker buoy visible from 300 m is required. Scuba/compressed air is banned for spearfishing, as are nets/light for recreation. Marine protected zones apply. In short: yes, no individual licence in the common cases, but with strict limits.

📋 The rules

Common recreational fishing: no individual licence
5 kg/person/24h (10 with longline); selling banned
Spearfishing: free-diving, muscle speargun, 16+, daylight
No spearfishing within 200 m of swimmers; 300 m buoy
Scuba, nets and light banned for recreation

🔓 Exceptions

Protected/no-take marine zones: no fishing
16–17 spearfishing: only with adult free-diver supervision
National reform / paid licence: a proposal, not in force

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Recreational-fishing violations are fined roughly €587–€2,935 plus a fishing-right suspension of 30 days to 1 year (doubled on repeat). Using explosives or toxic substances is punished far more harshly, with fines of €1,467–€14,673 and suspension. Note: a national reform of recreational/sport fishing (possibly reinstating a paid licence and stricter spearfishing rules) was in consultation but is not confirmed enacted. To stay compliant: don't exceed the 5 kg limit, don't sell the catch, spearfish only by free-diving in daylight, keep distance from swimmers and use a marker buoy, and respect protected zones.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Do I need a licence for recreational fishing?

In the common cases (shore, surface or spearfishing), no individual licence is currently required. But strict rules apply: a daily 5 kg limit per person, a ban on selling the catch, a ban on nets/light and rules for spearfishing.

What's the catch limit?

The daily limit is 5 kg of fish per person per 24 hours, rising to 10 kg with longlines. Selling the catch as a recreational fisher is banned. These limits aim at the sustainability of stocks and distinguish recreational from commercial fishing.

What are the spearfishing rules?

Spearfishing is free-diving only, without breathing apparatus or a tank, with a muscle-powered speargun and in daylight only. It's allowed from 16 (16–17 with adult free-diver supervision). It's banned within 200 m of swimmers, and a marker buoy visible from 300 m is required.

Is scuba diving allowed for spearfishing?

No. Scuba or compressed-air diving is banned for recreational spearfishing — the apparatus may not even be aboard. Only free-diving is allowed. Nets and fishing with light are also banned for recreational fishers.

What fine do I risk?

Violations are fined roughly €587–€2,935 plus a fishing-right suspension of 30 days to 1 year, doubled on repeat. Using explosives or toxic substances is punished far more harshly, with fines of €1,467–€14,673 and a suspension of the fishing right.

🔎 Common searches

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