Spearfishing in Europe – Law, Rules and Restrictions – countries

You are interested in spearfishing? But you do not know what the rules, restrictions and laws are in the Mediterranean countries in Europe? Here you can find all the answers for the following countries: Germany, France, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands (Holland), Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria. I also listed the rules in Denmark, England and Norway. A small article explains in which countries Spearfishing is prohibited.

A few rules apply to ALL countries where spearfishing is allowed, and I think it is a good thing to adhere to them if you want to live off and with nature.

  1. No spearfishing in harbor entrances, near fish farms or the beaches (bathing beaches), a minimum of 200 meters distance is mandatory.
  2. There are minimum sizes for fish in each country, please keep that in mind, this is for the protection of our nature and the fish offspring. Excuses like “I did not know the fish” or “underwater he looked bigger” do not apply! Dont shot what you dont know!
  3. A nature reserve is there to protect nature, stay tuned and enjoy the underwater world without a speargun, this has its own charm and you will soon realize that you have never seen so much fish. If you illegally fish in a nature reserve and get caught, then God bless you, the southern police understands -9000 fun at these points.

You have to carry your licenses in many countries, it’s best to pack them in a waterproof document bag and then off to the buoy. The bags are available on Amazon in all sizes:

YUMQUA waterproof Document Bag – several sizes*

Spearfishing lizenz license documents laws restrictions gesetze länder

Also absolutely necessary again, I do not dare to go into the water without a buoy. She is here to signal to traveling messengers that someone is diving. Underwater, it is extremely difficult to tell from where and to what direction a boat is moving. Second advantage: you simply hang your fish and the like on the buoy and less so in your movements. In many countries, such as Italy, France and Greece are required by law to fly a buoy with an alpha flag and if you have no threat of severe punishment.

If you want to travel longer distances, you can consider getting a so-called diving float. At this raft you attach the whole “Kladderadatsch” (German word for heaps of Stuff) you want to take with you. These rafts are more expensive to buy but much higher in terms of workmanship and design. If you are interested in Spearfishing in the long term, it is worth thinking about buying a raft.

Seac Seamate Buoy – Diving float – Raft for Spearfishing*


If you have found your favored spearfishing region, I would like to recommend my spot maps and guides to you. There you will find my secret spots and everything you need to know for successful hunting in the different countries.

Spearfishing Spot Maps & Guides

The following guide is for those who are just beginning spearfishing. You will find the country-specific guides under the following countries.

If you are still looking for a Spear gun I recommend you my following article:

First Speargun: which one shall i buy?

If you are still looking for basic spearfishing equipment i recommend you my following article:

Start/learning Spearfishing: what do i need tutorial


And last but not least, if you caught some good fish, give it a record in here:

Spearfishing Map

The following map gives an overview of the major Mediterranean and Atlantic countries in terms of their spearfishing capability. Green means that spearfishing is possible without a license, yellow spearfishing is only allowed with one license and red that spearfishing is generally forbidden. In the following sections you will find everything important to the respective countries.

Spearfishing law restriction license turkey germany france netherlands england uk spain italy bulgaria greece norway denmark irland schottland

Prohibited Spearfishing Countries

In the following countries, spearfishing is prohibited, which of course does not mean that it is also prohibited to own a speargun. A real advantage.


Germany

In Germany, spearfishing is prohibited. It is allowed to own and produce spearguns from the age of 18, but not to kill a fish. It’s that simple. Please don’t come up with the idea to go into a lake with a speargun and try out the harpoon, you’ll have problems faster than you can push off.

Quotation of the weapon law of the information system of the BRD (Germany)

WaffG – Waffengesetz

Vom Gesetz ganz oder teilweise ausgenommene Waffen
Unterabschnitt 1:
Vom Gesetz mit Ausnahme von § 2 Abs. 1 und § 41 ausgenommene Waffen
1. Unterwassersportgeräte, bei denen zum Antrieb der Geschosse keine Munition verwendet wird (Harpunengeräte).

Shortly translated into english: use prohibited, possession allowed.

When you want to fish in germany, better fish with a rod, easy.


Netherlands (Holland)

Saltwater fishing is allowed all over Holland, for fresh water fishing you only need the VISpas and you can fish for just 35 € a year, good catches guaranteed. However, finding out more about spearfishing in the Netherlands is more difficult.

In summary, however, it can be said that it is prohibited. Finding sources is almost impossible, I would not care.

Sweden

While researching my own vacation in Sweden, I was shocked to discover that Spearfishing is forbidden in Sweden. The possession of a harpoon, which is a weapon in Sweden, is only permitted with a permit. Even then, possession is only permitted for target practice. Little or no official information can be found on the Internet. However, one reads of horror stories about “Speargun smuggling” and heavy fines. If you want to go to Sweden, you can rely on the fishing rod.


Allowed Spearfishing Countries

In the following I explain in which countries spearfishing is allowed, what to look for in the respective countries and which rules you have to observe.



France

France has much to offer with the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. If you want to spearfish in France, there are two options. For the first you buy a spearfishing license in a local spearfishing club or spearfishing store, google makes it possible. This costs about 40 € until the end of the year, there is no discount for foreigners. With the license you can also do other sport fishing activities. The license is also considered an insurance and covers claims. You will receive it at FÉDÉRATION NAUTIQUE DE PÊCHE SPORTIVE EN APNEE (FNPSA).

The second method is to contact the local port authorities (“Affaires Maritimes” in French) and ask for a free permit. This allows you to fish anywhere in France, but under the condition that you have accident insurance, which covers you and strangers in case of damage.

Rules

  • In summer, fishing is forbidden on public beaches, as well as near ports, freshwater estuaries and military objects and terrain
  • The port authorities inform you about protection zones
  • It is forbidden to hunt groupers and red tuna
  • Minimum sizes for the fish in France can be found here

Croatia

In order to hunt in Croatia you need two things: first, a membership in a Croatian Spearfishing Club and second, a license. The licenses are available in all major cities which are located on the sea. You get information where you get it from the harbor master or in various fishing shops, the easiest way is to ask. Converted costs the license about 60 € for 10 days, not cheap. In addition, one is often sent from shop to shop and from there from an “official” place to the next. Some have never received this license.

Also you get the license online, which of course makes a lot easier.

A license and membership can be purchased in any “larger” city. Cost for 10 days about € 60, -. Best to ask at the port (information, etc.) right after the license, or at a shop for fishing. Alternatively, the license can also online under spearfishing license Croatia. Membership and license must be purchased separately. First of all, you get the membership (confirmation by e-mail) and then the license (confirmation is also sent by e-mail). Look for Sportfisheries on the website, not Recreational Fishing, or you will not find what you are looking for.

The whole thing makes it difficult to spearfish in Croatia enormously. In addition, there is little fish left in Croatia that you can find without a boat, if you are looking for a good spearfishing location, I would recommend the other countries more to you (own experiences).



Greece

f you are looking up the internet for spearfishing in Greece, you will repeatedly come across the license requirement on the Internet. This is simply wrong. Greece has suspended the spearfishing license in 2017. This is related to the almost impossible huge area which is uncontrollable. Quite to our delight, spearfishing is allowed throughout Greece, making it one of my favorite hunting grounds. We have to stick to a few rules. Flashlights and night hunting is prohibited. The minimum distance to bathing beaches and harbor entrances and harbor exits is 200 meters. The minimum sizes of the respective fish can be found under minimum sizes fish Greece.

Are you looking for spearfishing guides and spots in Greece, then I recommend the Aegean Islands or Crete? Greece is rocking!


Italy

Here I have learned spearfishing and that’s why Italy will remain the eternal spearfishing sanctuary for me. For the Italians spearfishing is a popular sport, which is why the fish has become very shy and in short supply. Nevertheless, you can still find a lot and good fish. For spearfishing in Italy you do not need a license. But there are some rules to follow:

  • It is only allowed to harpoon during the day
  • Caught fish can not be sold
  • It is mandatory buoys (alpha flag, red flag white diagonal), always stay in the 50 meter radius
  • Maximum 5kg fish or seafood per day or 1 fish over 5kg
  • The catch of shellfish is prohibited
  • The catch of octopus is allowed It is forbidden to fish at public beaches, at ports, fresh water and military terrain
  • No spearfishing within a 500 meter zone of frequented beach resorts

Restricted areas

Liguria
– Amp.- Cinque Terre, Portofino, Isola di Bergeggi

Lazio
– Amp Isola di Ventotene e di Santo Stefano

Campania
– Amp Punta campanella

Apulia
– Amp Isole Tremiti

Calabria
– Amp Capo Rizzuto

Sardinia
– Parco Nazionale Arcipelago di La Maddalena
– Amp.- Isola di Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo, Capo Caccia-Isola Piana, Isola dell’Asinara

Sicily
– Riserva naturale marina- Isola di Ustica, Isole dei Ciclopi, Isole Egadi
– Amp.- Isole Pelagie, del Plemmirio


Spain

Spain has a lot to offer fish, unfortunately also a lot of bureaucracy.

In Spain there is a license requirement, which is provided by each autonomous region, which has the authority to create its own regulations. You get your license from the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture and need the following things:

  • A medical certificate from a local doctor (about 50 €)
  • For example, a license from the “Department de Medi Ambient” (environmental authority), this costs about 20 €
  • On top of the license comes a little taxes, under 10 €

Each license is valid only for the respective region, not for other regions. Procurement without language skills is quite difficult.

Rules

  • Spearfishing is only allowed during the day
  • Underwater scooters are prohibited
  • Shot fish may not be sold
  • It is compulsory buoys
  • Maximum 5kg fish per license per day or a fish over 5kg

Restricted Areas

In all regions there are nature conservation and prohibition zones, there are different prohibition classes. In some zones you may fish only on certain days of the week and never in others. Where you receive your regional license you will be informed about the prohibitions. Again, ignorance does not protect against punishment.

Are you looking for guides and spots in Spain? I can highly recommend Mallorca!


Portugal

The Portuguese themselves simply buy their license from an ATM, but this is not easily possible for a foreigner. You can get the license for foreigners very easily on the Internet (English)
https://www.dgrm.mm.gov.pt/web/guest/pesca-pl-licenciamento

Then an email with the required data to:
pesca.ludica@dgrm.mm.gov.pt

Transfer the € 10 (if a month is enough) (account details etc. everything is in the instructions) and attach the proof of payment.

Within a few days you will receive an email with the license “the proof of payment of the recreational fishing license, in pdf format”. (Thanks to Morten for the information).


Bulgaria

For Bulgaria, you do not need a license in the Black Sea. This applies to residents and foreigners. Lucky. Spearfishing in lakes or rivers (freshwater) is forbidden.

Rules

  • Spearfishing is only allowed during freediving, no scuba diving
  • At night, spearfishing is prohibited
  • Shot fish may not be sold It is compulsory buoy, the buoy must be attached to the body with a leash.
  • Maximum 3 kg fish / marine organisms per day or a fish over 3 kg
  • No spearfishing in harbors, freshwater and near military objects
  • Sturgeons are among the protected species
  • The turbot (Psetta maxima) is protected between 45 and 60 days a year, starting on the 1st of May. Every year it is announced how long it is protected (by the Ministry of the Environment). The rest of the year, a maximum of one turbot per day per fisherman is allowed.

Minimum Sizes

(Mugil cephalus) 25 cm

(Mugil soiuy) 30 cm

(Liza aurata) 25 cm

(Liza saliens) 22 cm

(Dicentrachus labrax/Morone labrax) 28 cm

(Pomatomus saltatrix) 28 cm

(Spicara spp.) 12 cm

(Mullus barbatus ponticus) 12 cm

(Scomber scombrus ) 22 cm

(Sarda sarda) 22 cm

(Psetta maxima) 45 cm

(Platichthys flesus luscus) 20 cm



Turkey

For locals, the amateur license is optional and can be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs. This license is valid for 2 years. Foreigners who have a permanent residence / work permit in Turkey or are officially invited to apply: the so-called “guest amateur fishing license” is required. This can also be requested by the Ministry of Agriculture. This costs about 24 € and is also 2 years durable.

Rules

  • Spearfishing is only allowed during freediving
  • Spearfishing is only allowed during the day
  • Shot fish may not be sold
  • No light source may be used during spearfishing
  • Spearfishing in fresh water is prohibited
  • Maximum 5kg fish per day or 1 fish over 5kg
  • It is prohibited on public beaches, harbors, freshwater and military objects to spearfishing
  • There are a total of 56 protection zones in Turkey, which can be found at the following link: Restricted Areas Turkey

Prohibited species: brown and striped grouper (Epinephelus marginatus).


Norway

Norway is the dream of every angler and spearfisher. This country has an incredible amount of fish to offer. To spearfish or go fishing in saltwater you do not need a license. Lobsters are closed to foreigners (but there are so many other things). Also in Norway you should stick to the minimum sizes.

The following fish species are prohibited year-round: Spiny dogfish, basking shark, porbeagle, blue ling, lobster, bluefin tuna, silk shark, eel, wrasse. Not protected year-round (closed seasons): Greenland halibut, halibut, lumpfish, redfish. It is illegal to sell your catch. You must not fish closer than 100 meters to fish farms. You are allowed to carry a maximum of 10kg fish or fish products (fillet;)) from Norway. More information can be found on fiskeridir.no

Are you looking for spearfishing guides and my secret spots in Norway? All about Norway the Spearfishing Mecca can be found here:


Denmark

Denmark, you just do it nice to us. The necessary license to Spearfishen there in every post office. The license is also the fishing license, which makes it even more enjoyable. Converted costs the license for a year fun about 25 to 35 €. You can even get all that online, just here Danish Ministry of Environment and Food.

Quotation: “If you fish with light hand tools, you need a sport fishing gear, such as fishing tackle, pirk and speargun – equipment used for active fishing.”

For more information, I attach the FAQ of the Ministry very much to my heart. It is important that in Denmark you pay attention to the protected zones, closed species and the minimum size. Tickets are also available in the post offices.

You find the Spearfishing Denmark Spots here:



England (Great britan)

You do not need a license in England, Scotland or Ireland. It is forbidden to spearfish in fresh water.

Rules

  • One may spearfish with and without (apnea) devices (yes spearfishing with the diver bottle is allowed)
  • The hunt is allowed day and night
  • Shot fish may not be sold
  • Prohibited species: Allis shad (Alosa alosa), Salmon (Salmo salar), Sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta), Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, called Seabass)
  • The rules for seabass are constantly changing, best to inform immediately before the trip

Finland

Spearfishing is generally allowed in Finland, but there are some licenses that are required.

  • First, you have to buy a official fishing license which costs 6 € / week or 20 € / year provided by the state of Finland
  • Second, you need a permission from the owner of the water area (it can cost something or be free ). This is a bit more complicated, as many areas are privately owned.
  • But for example in Hanko (one of the best spots in Finland) you can do spearfishing for € 7 / week or € 27 / year with the South Finnish national rod license. This license is fine for many other state water areas as well.
  • In Helsinki when do you need to buy a special spearfishing license that costs € 10 per year.
  • In lakes you need the limited licenses which you can buy or get permission from the owner of the water sometimes for free

That sounds a little complicated, but it usually isn’t! REMEMBER that spear fishing is not permitted in rivers and anywhere between 16.4. and 20.06. without special permission. Any species of fish can be shot, but many fish have minimum sizes. (Here are the competition rules for spearfishing )

11 thoughts on “Spearfishing in Europe – Law, Rules and Restrictions – countries

  • Avatar for Patrick
    16. August 2022 at 14:23
    Permalink

    Hiya, I’ve just seen that the uk guidelines seem not up to date on this website. Since 2019 it is forbidden to spearfish at night and scuba gear is also not allowed (so no gas bottle)

    Reply
  • Avatar for Matija
    17. August 2021 at 14:41
    Permalink

    Does anybody know about fishing regulations in Albania? I’m searching everywhere, but information is hard to find.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  • Avatar for G4sea
    15. December 2020 at 18:38
    Permalink

    About Greece

    Spearfishing is allowed only:

    while having a red flag with white or yellow flag with red diagonal line (on boat or on buoy)
    during daylight
    while freediving (scuba diving and spearfishing combined is prohibited)
    without using or carrying any kind of lighting source
    without using sea scooters
    without using chemicals or explosives

    Fishes collected while spearfishing cannot be sold.

    Collecting alive shellfish is prohibited. (lobsters, sea ​​urchin etc.)

    There is allowed up to 5 kg/day of fish or one fish weighting more than 5 kg/day per person,

    There are also weight and size prohibitions as the post says.

    Spearfishing is prohibited in NATURA 2000 areas and in Sporades Islands.
    Spearfishing is prohibited in military areas and closer than 200meter of ports, beaches where people swim.

    Laws are very strict about illegal spearfishing with fines over 3000 euros, confiscation of fishes, equipment and the vehicle used to go spearfishing (car and/or boat) especially when spearfishing with scuba and/or in nighttime as well as when you sell the fish.

    Protect and respect the beautiful species and seas of our planet.

    Take care and have safe ascendings.

    PS
    Very interesting and helpful post.
    A big thank you to the author/s.

    Reply
    • Avatar for harpune.info
      22. March 2021 at 17:21
      Permalink

      Thank you for this beautiful addition to our Article

      Reply
  • Avatar for Elior Bouhnik
    1. December 2019 at 19:59
    Permalink

    Help can you tell if I need something in Israel ?

    Reply
    • Avatar for harpune.info
      5. January 2020 at 10:07
      Permalink

      I m not sure, but I think spearfishing in isreal it is forbidden for foreigeners, best way to find out is to go to facebook or youtube and ask the locals what you need! Greetings

      Reply
  • Avatar for Alexis
    22. August 2019 at 19:57
    Permalink

    You absolutly DON’T need a license in France

    Reply
    • Avatar for harpune.info
      16. September 2019 at 11:17
      Permalink

      If you show me a written source of that, it would be great! Otherwise I stick to the official sources. Greetings

      Reply
      • Avatar for stephan aldebert
        30. September 2020 at 22:04
        Permalink

        FRANCE, september 2020:
        FÉDÉRATION NAUTIQUE DE PÊCHE SPORTIVE EN APNEE (FNPSA) or
        Fédération Chasse Sous-Marine Passion (FCSMP) or
        FFESSM (CMAS member, historical general scuba federation,now taking distance with spearfishing)
        they all sells “licence” ! in french it meens membership, french term for a licence is “permis”(i. e. driving licence = permis de conduire) only in order to sell insurance! look at their website for exact legal text reference, but for 9 years at least there is no longer “permis” to buy and specialy no issue to get it with “affaires maritimes”(but they will tel you the real rules). The only legal requisite is insurance for damage to other persons.
        This may be difficult for foreigners to find a certificate in French,
        so FNPSA or FCSMP costs almost 20€ per year, give insurance ,and are acting in many ways to save some access to spearfishing, to inform you on actual local rules as well as general spearfishing french rules…

        Reply
        • Avatar for harpune.info
          22. March 2021 at 17:23
          Permalink

          Thank you for the addition of informations on our website! You are from France? Greetings and salut!

          Reply

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