Fishing License; Application

If you wish to fish in Bavaria, you must carry a valid fishing license and, as a rule, a valid permit, and present them to law enforcement officers for inspection upon request.

The fishing license for adults is issued as a lifetime fishing license. Minors who have reached the age of 14 and have successfully passed the fishing exam are generally also issued a lifetime fishing license.

All children and adolescents aged 7 through 17, inclusive, may fish on their own under the responsible supervision of an adult fishing license holder (Art. 47, Para. 2, Sentence 1, BayFiG). The supervising adult is responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements, particularly regarding animal welfare. Minors are not required to pay a fishing fee. Furthermore, as before, a separate civil-law permit is required for the minor fisherman to fish in the specific body of water (e.g., a fishing permit, “fishing license”).

Special regulations apply to persons with severe disabilities under certain conditions.

Anyone staying in Germany only temporarily and who does not have a residence here (e.g., a tourist) may also apply for a fishing license without a prior examination.

Contact:

+(49) 09131 / 86 - 2495

+(49) 09131 / 86 - 1706

Anyone who wishes to fish in Bavaria must obtain a fishing license and pay a fishing fee.

To obtain a fishing license, you must generally have successfully passed the fishing exam in Bavaria. A fishing exam taken in another state of the Federal Republic of Germany may be recognized under certain conditions (check with your local municipality; see also “Equivalent Exams” under further links). The same applies to exemptions for individuals with severe mental or physical disabilities, as well as to exemptions upon presentation of exam certificates and fishing licenses from other German states.

You can obtain a fishing license upon application with unlimited validity (lifetime fishing license). Anyone who pays the fishing fee for only five years may fish only during that period. 

The fishing license for tourists (adults who are not residents of Germany and who do not have proof of passing the fishing exam) is valid for a maximum of three months per year (annual fishing license).

• Proof of passing the fishing exam
• Passport photo
• Identification card or passport
• Consent of Legal Guardians for Minors
• Certificate of Good Conduct, if applicable

The costs consist of the fishing license fee and the fishing tax (see "Related Topics" - "Fishing Tax; Payment").

Fishing License Fee:

• Lifetime fishing license: 35 €
• Annual fishing license for tourists: 7.50 €