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Fishing licence in Spain: what anglers need

In Spain you need a licence from the relevant autonomous community for both sea and freshwater fishing. The new 25 € Licencia interautonómica is only for Spanish citizens and foreigners living in Spain.

Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.

Go to the official licence page
Sea
licence
Freshwater
licence

Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Spain?

For recreational sea fishing from the shore, from a boat or by spearfishing you need a licence from a coastal autonomous community or from Ceuta or Melilla. The rules of the coast where you fish apply. For specially protected species (Annex II, such as bluefin tuna) the boat also needs a ministry authorisation.

Source: MAPA, Preguntas frecuentes Pesca marítima de recreo (ohne Datum, abgerufen 13.10.2026)

Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Spain?

Each autonomous community sets its own licence for inland waters. Since 2026 there is also the Licencia interautonómica, valid for one year in Andalucía, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Madrid, Comunitat Valenciana, Extremadura, Galicia, Asturias and Murcia. The existing regional licences remain available.

Source: Gobierno de Aragón, Licencias interautonómicas, aktualisiert 11.09.2026

How much is a fishing licence in Spain?

Licencia interautonómica: 25 € per year. Example Andalusia, freshwater 2026: basic licence 8.14 € per year, trout surcharge 4.08 € per year, temporary licence 15.61 € for at most 15 days. Example Basque Country, sea: 2026 fee 18.31 €. These prices are examples; each community has its own rates.

Source: Junta de Andalucía, Tasas y precios públicos de Pesca 2026

Where do you buy a fishing licence for Spain?

There is no central shop; you buy from the autonomous community. Example Andalusia: first you register in the Registro Andaluz de Caza y Pesca Continental (NIR number), then you get the licence online. Without a digital certificate you apply for the NIR at the Delegación Territorial of your province. The Licencia interautonómica is available online with a DNI or NIE.

Source: Junta de Andalucía, Obtención de licencias (abgerufen 13.10.2026)

What about children, teens and seniors?

Example Basque Country, sea: licence from age 16; younger anglers fish with a licensed companion. Example Andalusia, freshwater: under 16 you pay half the basic licence fee, from 65 you pay no fee, but you still need the licence.

Source: Gobierno Vasco, Licencias de Pesca Marítima Recreativa

What applies to visitors from abroad?

Only Spanish citizens and foreigners resident in Spain can get the Licencia interautonómica. As a visitor you need the licence of the community where you fish. Andalusia offers a temporary freshwater licence for up to 15 days.

Source: Gobierno de Aragón 11.09.2026 (Requisitos)

Which catch and take-home rules apply?

Sea: selling is prohibited. You may only catch species from Annex I of Real Decreto 347/2011 and must respect minimum sizes. Bluefin tuna: closed season 15 Oct to 15 Jun, catch and release only from 16 Jun to 14 Oct. Swordfish is prohibited. You report catches of protected species within 24 hours in the ministry app.

Source: MAPA, Preguntas frecuentes

What else should you know?

Responsibility: the 17 autonomous communities regulate inland fishing and also issue the sea licence. For outer coastal waters the state (ministry MAPA) sets rules under Real Decreto 347/2011, for example for protected species. Fishing in the 25 marine reserves is only allowed in some zones and usually only with a special permit.

Source: MAPA, Preguntas frecuentes

Not confirmed yet

The price of the Andalusian sea licence could not be found from an official source. The page does not say whether or how visitors without a Spanish ID number get the NIR in Andalusia. Daily bag limits per community are not covered. kaufen_url is an example (Andalusia).

Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.

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Sources (5)

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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