Fishing in Germany: which licence do you need?
Fishing in Germany usually takes three things. Whether a visitor can skip the angling exam depends on the federal state:
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1
Fishing licence (Fischereischein)
Issued by the state, normally after passing the angling exam (Fischerprüfung). German states generally recognise each other's licences; exam-free tourist licences often are not.
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2
Fishing levy (Fischereiabgabe)
Many states charge a fishing levy, paid when the licence is issued or renewed.
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3
Permit for the water (Erlaubnisschein)
Every water belongs to someone who holds the fishing rights — a club, an owner or a lease holder. You always need their permit (Angelkarte), with or without a licence.
Tourist licence for everyone · 3
A short-term licence without the exam is open to everyone, residents included.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Tourist licence without the exam for anyone, up to 28 days, renewable; also available online.
Schleswig-Holstein
Holiday licence without the exam for anyone, up to 28 days, twice a year.
Thuringia
Three-month licence without the exam for anyone aged 14+, once a year, rod and line only.
No licence required · 1
The state does not require a fishing licence by law; you still need a permit for the water.
Lower Saxony
No statutory licence: an ID card and a permit from the rights holder are enough. Many clubs still require the angling exam.
Exemptions instead · 1
No tourist licence, but some groups may fish without a licence.
Brandenburg
No tourist licence: anyone may fish for non-predatory fish without a Fischereischein, as may short-stay visitors not resident in Germany. The fishing levy and a permit are still required.
Guest licence for non-residents · 8
People who live abroad (in some states also recent arrivals) can get a short-term licence without the exam; residents need the exam.
Baden-Württemberg
Without the exam for people staying in Germany for up to one month; issued by the municipality.
Bavaria
Without the exam for adults not resident in Germany, for up to three months; issued by the municipality.
Hamburg
Licence until the end of the year for people not resident in Germany who hold a licence from their home country. Exam-free licences from other states are not recognised.
Hesse
Visitor licence without the exam for people not resident in Germany, one month per year.
North Rhine-Westphalia
Licence without the exam for people registered in Germany for no more than a year; available online.
Rhineland-Palatinate
Guest licence without the exam for people not resident in Germany, twice a year for up to 30 days.
Saarland
Tourist licence without the exam for adults not resident in Germany, for up to three months.
Saxony
Guest licence without the exam for people whose main residence is outside Germany, one month.
No tourist licence · 3
No short-term licence without the exam. Check whether your licence from another state or country is recognised.
Berlin
No tourist licence. Non-residents of Germany with a foreign licence or angling-club membership need no Fischereischein (a permit is still required).
Bremen
No tourist licence. Licences from other German states and EU countries are valid.
Saxony-Anhalt
No tourist licence. Licences from other German states are recognised.
Checked against the official state pages on 24 Oct 2026. Besides a fishing licence (Fischereischein) you need a permit (Angelkarte) from whoever holds the fishing rights for the water.