Fishing licence worldwide
Fishing licence in Germany: rules for visitors
In almost all of Germany you need a state fishing licence (Fischereischein) plus a permit for the water. Each of the 16 states sets its own rules, and several offer a licence without an exam for visitors.
Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.
Visitor options by state
Each state links to the full German page with costs, exam and sources.
- Baden-WürttembergLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Fischereischein für Urlauber aus dem Ausland (Jahresfischereischein ohne Sachkundenachweis))own licence from age 10
- BavariaLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Jahresfischereischein für Touristen)own licence from age 14; children up to 17 without licence, accompanied
- BerlinLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Gastangler aus dem Ausland ohne Fischereischein)own licence from age 14
- BrandenburgLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Ausnahme von der Scheinpflicht für Angler ohne Hauptwohnsitz in Deutschland)own licence from age 14; children up to 7 without licence, accompanied
- BremenLicence without exam for visitors: no, exam neededown licence from age 14; children up to 13 without licence, accompanied
- HamburgLicence without exam for visitors: only with a licence from your home country (Fischereischein für Touristen)own licence from age 12; children up to 14 without licence, accompanied
- HesseLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Besucherfischereischein (übergangsweise bis 31.12.2027 auch Ausländerfischereischein nach altem Recht))own licence from age 14; children up to 15 without licence, accompanied
- Mecklenburg-Western PomeraniaLicence without exam for visitors: yes, for everyone (Touristenfischereischein (zeitlich befristeter Fischereischein))own licence from age 10; children up to 13 without licence
- Lower SaxonyLicence without exam for visitors: no, exam needednot required by law; children up to 13 without licence, accompanied
- North Rhine-WestphaliaLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Ausländerfischereischein (Jahresfischereischein))own licence from age 12; children up to 15 without licence, accompanied
- Rhineland-PalatinateLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Gästeschein)own licence from age 13; children up to 17 without licence, accompanied
- SaarlandLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Touristenfischereischein (Jahresfischereischein ohne Prüfung))own licence from age 14
- SaxonyLicence without exam for visitors: only if you do not live in Germany (Gastfischereischein)own licence from age 14
- Saxony-AnhaltLicence without exam for visitors: no, exam neededown licence from age 12
- Schleswig-HolsteinLicence without exam for visitors: yes, for everyone (Urlauberfischereischein)own licence from age 12; children up to 13 without licence, accompanied
- ThuringiaLicence without exam for visitors: yes, for everyone (Vierteljahresfischereischein)own licence from age 14
Good to know
The licence alone is almost never enough: for each water you also need a permit (Angelkarte or Erlaubnisschein) from the club, tenant or owner. Closed seasons and minimum sizes differ per state.
Closed seasons and minimum sizes by state
Other countries
Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].
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