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Fishing licence in Greece: what anglers need
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard you need no licence for sea fishing, but you may keep at most 5 kg of fish per day. The same source says recreational sea fishing is banned in May.
Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.
- Sea
- free
- Freshwater
- unclear
Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Greece?
You need no licence for recreational fishing or spearfishing, neither personal nor for the boat. The government has announced a new licence with an electronic register, but no law on it could be found in an official source as of today.
Source: Hellenische Küstenwache, Fischereiabteilung, FAQ (ohne Datum, abgerufen 13.10.2026)
Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Greece?
No official statement on whether recreational anglers need a licence for lakes and rivers could be found. Regional authorities issue fishing bans for inland waters. not confirmed yet
How much is a fishing licence in Greece?
Sea: no licence, so no cost. Freshwater: not verified.
Source: Hellenische Küstenwache, FAQ (ohne Datum)
Where do you buy a fishing licence for Greece?
There is nothing to buy for sea fishing.
What about children, teens and seniors?
Spearfishing is allowed from age 16.
Source: Hellenische Küstenwache, FAQ (P.D. 373/1985, Art. 3)
What applies to visitors from abroad?
The same rules apply to visitors. From a boat you may only fish recreationally in Greek territorial waters on Greek flagged boats.
Source: Hellenische Küstenwache, FAQ (Art. 5 VO (EU) 1380/2013)
Which catch and take-home rules apply?
Per angler at most 5 kg of fish or cephalopods in 24 hours, 10 kg with a longline, unless a single fish weighs more. Only one grouper per day, at most 20 sea urchins. Bluefin tuna, albacore, swordfish and eel need a special permit that only professional fishers get. Recreational fishing and spearfishing are banned in May. Longlines from the shore are prohibited.
What else should you know?
The coast guard enforces the rules at sea. The FAQ is undated, so before your trip ask the local port authority whether new rules apply.
Freshwater unresolved (value teilweise is only a placeholder). Press reports say a new fisheries code passed a parliamentary committee in September 2026, with rules for recreational anglers to follow separately; not officially confirmed. The FAQ is undated and the May ban was not cross-checked.
Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.
Next steps
- Where you can sea fish without a licence
- All countries at a glance
- Plan your fishing day, with packing list
Other countries
Sources (1)
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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