Fishing with children abroad: Rules in popular travel destinations
Fishing with children abroad: Rules in popular travel destinations
For many families, fishing is as much a part of their vacation as ice cream on the beach. However, rules in Germany do not necessarily apply abroad – and there are pitfalls, especially regarding fishing license requirements for children. In one country, youngsters might fish for free, while in the next, even a twelve-year-old needs their own permit.
This page provides an understandable overview for the most popular travel destinations for Germans – with a focus on Norway, the dream destination for many fishing families.
Important Note: This information is current as of September 2026 and is provided without guarantee. License requirements, age limits, and fishing regulations change – in countries like Spain, Italy, or Austria, they can even vary from region to region. Be sure to check the official source for your specific destination before you travel.
The one rule of thumb: The sea is often free, freshwater almost never
If you only remember one thing, make it this: In many countries, sea fishing (using a hand rod from the shore or a boat) is free or inexpensive, while freshwater fishing in rivers and lakes almost always requires a license. "Freshwater" refers to inland waters without salt, and "saltwater" refers to the sea. The big exception is Denmark, where a state license covers both.
Norway: a paradise for sea fishing
Norway is a longed-for destination for fishing families – and remarkably uncomplicated when it comes to sea fishing.
- Sea fishing is free and license-free for everyone – including tourists and children. From the shore or a boat with a hand rod: just start fishing.
- Freshwater: usually requires a license – but there is a great exception for children. In general, you need a "Fiskekort" (the local fishing permit from the landowner) for rivers and lakes. However, children under 16 may fish for common inland fish species free of charge from January 1st to August 20th – this excludes waters with salmon, sea trout, and Arctic char. Crayfish are not included, nor are artificial fish ponds, and local signs may override the free fishing. Carry identification as proof of age. For salmon, sea trout, and Arctic char, the state fee "Fiskeravgift" applies in addition – children and teenagers under 18 are exempt ("Barn og ungdom under 18 år skal ikke betale fiskeravgift").
A few important rules that families in Norway should know:
- Only hand rods are allowed (no nets).
- Minimum distance of 100 meters from the nearest fish farm (aquaculture).
- Exporting fish – this is where it gets serious: Since January 1, 2026, you may only export fish if you have fished via a registered fishing camp: a maximum of 15 kg per person, up to twice per calendar year, with an export document from the camp. Starting January 1, 2027, this limit will drop to 10 kg. The person exporting must be at least 12 years old. The point many families overlook: Those who fish on their own – for example, from a rented holiday home – do not fall under this regulation and are not allowed to export any self-caught sea fish at all. Not 15 kg, but zero. The export document is personal; there are no group documents, and the named person must be present at departure. Exceeding this amount risks the confiscation of your entire catch and a report to the authorities. Freshwater fish (salmon, trout, char) and king crabs are not affected – these may be exported even if caught by yourself.
- Oslo Fjord: Fishing for cod is prohibited year-round, and since 2026, there have been new restricted zones. Anyone wishing to fish in this region should check the current regulations carefully.
By the way: If your youngsters catch their first cod in Norway, they might want an outfit to match. In our apparel for Norway anglers, you will find designs featuring cod, pollack, and more.
Apparel for Norway Anglers
From cod to halibut – designs for your Norway trip.
Overview: Do children need a license?
| Country | License for children/teens | Sea vs. Freshwater | Special Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | Under 18 exempt from salmon fee; under 16 inland fishing free from 1/1–20/8 | Sea free; Freshwater: Fiskekort (+ Fiskeravgift for salmonids) | Export only via registered camp, 100m distance from fish farms |
| Sweden | No nationwide entitlement; many areas voluntarily allow free fishing for children | Coast + Lake Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren, Storsjön free; other freshwater: Fiskekort | Right of public access, but inland waters usually require a permit |
| Denmark | No state license needed under 18 | State license covers sea & freshwater; local permit often required for freshwater | Mandatory from 18 until retirement age (not flat 65); via fisketegn.dk. Eel completely prohibited in salt and freshwater since 08/01/2026 – release caught eels immediately (§§ 6, 7 BEK nr. 670 of 07/15/2026) |
| Netherlands | Under 14 (cutoff date Jan 1) with one rod while accompanied by a VISpas holder free | Sea free; Freshwater: VISpas | JeugdVISpas for anyone who was 13 or younger on Jan 1 |
| Croatia | Under 14 without license, with a single line – with or without a rod (čl. 27 para. 2 Zakon o morskom ribarstvu) | Sea and freshwater license separate | Spearfishing only with sports license, not recreational. Catch reporting via "mRecFish" app (čl. 15 Pravilnik NN 48/2026): since 08/15/2026 for dolphinfish for all licenses, from 01/01/2027 for 1-/3-/7-day and adult annual licenses up to 65, from 2030 for minors and pensioners; reports due within 24h after fishing; children under 14 without a license not subject to reporting |
| Spain | License usually from 14 (varies greatly by region) | Sea and freshwater license, regionally valid | Federal: check by region. New since 03/20/2026: Holders of a sea fishing license must report catches and releases of species from Annex II (incl. sea bass, cod, pollack, sole, dolphinfish) daily within 24 hours via the ministry app – for these species regardless of the water type (Art. 3 bis para. 2 RD 347/2011, inserted by RD 214/2026). The ministry calls the app "PescaREC" and explicitly states it covers shore fishing (MAPA, as of 06/24/2026 – authority information, not standard text) |
| Italy | Sea: registration, no age limit in decree; freshwater: regional | Sea license-free (with registration); Freshwater: regional license | Since 05/07/2026, additional mandatory "RecFishing" app from age 16 – only when fishing from a boat and diving |
| Austria | Varies by federal state – supervision ages range from 7 to 15 | Freshwater only: Fisher card + water license | Two documents required; guest cards for tourists |
| Poland | Under 14 without "Karta", but only under supervision of an adult with a Karta | Freshwater: water permit; sea separate | Tourists during temporary stay without Karta – water permit remains mandatory |
| France | Even under 12, a license is required – the inexpensive "Carte Découverte" | Sea usually free; Freshwater: carte de pêche | "Découverte" (under 12, one rod), "Personne mineure" (under 18) |
Three countries where details matter
Many half-truths circulate regarding Italy, Austria, and Poland. Therefore, here is the status according to the legal text, with citations.
Italy: new app requirement since May 2026 – but only from a boat and for diving
Since May 7, 2026, a new registration and reporting requirement for recreational sea fishing has been in effect. Anyone older than 16 who is fishing from a sports boat unit or diving must register in the RecFishing app and report catches of four species: Atlantic bluefin tuna, swordfish, dolphinfish, and albacore (Decreto 24 aprile 2026 of the Ministry of Agriculture MASAF, published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale Serie Generale No. 104 of 05/07/2026, p. 27, ID 26A02190). The basis is Article 55 of the EU Fisheries Control Regulation 1224/2009 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/2842, which has been in effect since January 10, 2026.
For shore fishing, this app requirement does not apply according to the wording of the decree. However, the EU framework is broader than the Italian implementation – it is quite possible that Italy will tighten these rules. Check before traveling.
This is separate from the general sea fishing registration (the so-called tesserino). The legal text – Ministerial Decree of 12/06/2010, Art. 1 para. 1, Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 24 of 01/31/2011 – requires it of "chiunque," meaning everyone, without an age limit. The often-seen statement "only from age 16" appears only in ministry FAQs without a date, not in the decree; the same FAQ states that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult with a valid tesserino. This is administrative advice, not a legal standard – in case of doubt, it is safer to register.
In freshwater, regulations are set by the regions, not the state. Age exemptions exist in some places, but they are often tied to residency in the respective region and thus do not apply to vacationing children. Check the rules of your destination region.
Austria: the range is wider than "12 to 14"
Each federal state regulates itself, and the age limits are wider than most travel guides suggest. Four examples, based on the current version in the federal legal information system (accessed 08/03/2026):
- Salzburg: Children up to the age of 15 may fish without a fisher card if accompanied by a legally competent adult who holds a fishing right (§ 15 para. 3 point 1 Fisheries Act 2002). An annual fisher card is available from 12 (§ 16 para. 3 lit. a), and guest cards are also available from 12 (§ 16 para. 5).
- Styria: Minors up to the age of 14 may fish without a fisher card, but only when accompanied and supervised by a licensed fisher (§ 9 para. 1 last sentence Fisheries Act 2000).
- Carinthia: Possible from 7 years old – then without a fisher card, but with their own permit and under the supervision of a legally competent person who has their own card and permit (§ 25 para. 2 K-FG). From 10 to under 14, the child needs their own annual or guest fisher card plus permit and still requires supervision (§ 25 para. 2a K-FG); the card is not issued under 10 and is only issued from 10 to 14 with the consent of the legal guardian (§ 27 lit. a and b K-FG). Supervision is no longer required after age 14.
- Lower Austria: The law does not specify an age but refers to "unmündig" (immaturity): "Unmündige require a license and may only fish under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who carries fishing documents" (§ 9 para. 4 Lower Austrian Fisheries Act 2001). Under § 21 para. 2 ABGB, an unmündiger person is one who has not yet reached the age of 14. Violations are punishable under § 36 point 7.
We have not checked Tyrol, Upper Austria, Burgenland, Vienna, and Vorarlberg – expect differing limits there as well.
Poland: the Karta exemption has two conditions
German vacationers who are only temporarily in Poland do not need a Polish Karta Wędkarska – provided they have the permit for the specific water, the zezwolenie (Art. 7 para. 4 Ustawa o rybactwie śródlądowym, consolidated version Dz. U. 2022 pos. 883). The zezwolenie is mandatory: fishing without it is punishable under Art. 27a.
Children under 14 also do not need a Karta, but may only fish "under the supervision of an adult who possesses such a card" (Art. 7 para. 3). This is exactly where it gets tricky for German families: parents from Germany usually do not have a Karta – they are exempt themselves. The law does not explicitly state if an exempt foreign companion fulfills this supervision requirement. Clarify this locally with the water management authority before you unpack your rods.
What applies in most countries
- Day and weekly tickets are available almost everywhere for vacationers and are cheaper than annual tickets – ideal for a week of family vacation.
- Carry documents. A license plus ID card belongs by the water; checks are common.
- Two-document principle in freshwater: In several countries, you need a state permit/fee and a local water permit (e.g., Denmark, Norway, Austria, Poland).
- Supervision requirement for children. Under the respective age limit, children are often only allowed to fish with a licensed adult and frequently with only one rod.
- Closed seasons, minimum sizes, and catch limits apply even where no license is needed. Please release protected species.
Where to buy the license? (online & locally)
Most countries now offer licenses conveniently online – but you can often still get them the traditional way at tourist offices, fishing shops, campsites, or local authorities. Here are the usual points of purchase (as of September 2026, without guarantee – in case of doubt, use the destination's official website):
- Norway: Freshwater fishing license ("Fiskekort") available online, e.g., via inatur.no, as well as from the landowner, tourist offices, and sports shops. The state salmon fee ("Fiskeravgift," not required for those under 18) is available online via the Miljødirektoratet.
- Sweden: Fishing license ("Fiskekort") available nationwide online via ifiske.se, as well as at tourist offices, campsites, and specialized sports shops.
- Denmark: State fishing license available online via the official portal fisketegn.dk, as well as at many citizen service centers/post offices and tourist offices; the local water body license is available directly at the location or from the local club.
- Netherlands: The "VISpas" is managed through a local fishing club or the umbrella organization Sportvisunie (until October 2025: Sportvisserij Nederland) – online at vispas.nl.
- Croatia: Marine license available online (e.g., sub.hr) as well as at authorized sales points and travel agencies; freshwater licenses are available through local fishing clubs.
- France: Freshwater fishing license ("carte de pêche") available online via the national portal cartedepeche.fr, as well as at local AAPPMA fishing clubs, in specialized sports shops, and at tourist offices.
- Spain: Via the online portals of the respective autonomous regions (e.g., Catalonia via gencat.cat), as licenses are issued regionally.
- Italy: Sea fishing requires prior online notification to the Ministry of Agriculture/Fisheries (MASAF); those fishing from a boat or while diving must also register in the "RecFishing" app. Freshwater licenses are issued by the competent region/province or fishing associations.
- Austria: The official fishing card is issued by the district/state authority; the water license is available from the manager, tourist office, fishing club, or online.
- Poland: German tourists only need the water body permit ("zezwolenie") – online via the PZW district portals, from fishing clubs, in specialized shops, and at tourist offices.
How to plan your fishing holiday with children
A successful fishing holiday starts at home: clarify the license requirements for your destination in advance, pack light gear, and don't forget sun and weather protection for the little ones. Our checklist & packing list for family fishing days is also great to use for holidays. And those looking to fish in Germany can find the rules consolidated under Fishing with children in Germany.
To ensure the kids look like real little anglers on holiday, check out our fishing apparel for children and teenagers.
Children & Teenager Angler T-Shirts
Robust, comfortable, and featuring the fish motifs that little anglers love.
Children & Teenager Angler Hoodies
Robust, comfortable, and featuring the fish motifs that little anglers love.
Always mandatory: the rules of your water body
Very important, no matter where you fish: beyond the general rules described here, the specific regulations of the specific water body always apply. Every lake, river, and coastal stretch has its own fishing regulations with its own requirements – for example, permitted fishing methods and bait, the number of rods, closed seasons and minimum sizes, night fishing and the use of keepnets, catch limits, or restricted shoreline areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the permit (the fishing license) or are provided by the issuing authority (fishing club, water manager, local authorities). Check and observe them before every fishing day – in case of doubt, the rules of the respective water body take precedence over the general information on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do children need a fishing license abroad?
That depends on the country and the age. In Norway, sea fishing is free for everyone, and those under 18 do not pay a salmon fee. In Denmark, those under 18 do not need a state license. In France, however, your child always needs their own license for freshwater – the affordable "Carte Découverte" for those under 12. Check the rule for your destination before you depart.
Is sea fishing in Norway really free?
Yes. Fishing in the sea is free for everyone in Norway and requires no license – even for tourists and children; hand-held lines are permitted, and you must maintain a distance of 100 meters from fish farms. In freshwater, you need a Fiskekort, although children under 16 may fish for common inland species free of charge from January 1 to August 20 (not in salmon and sea trout waters). For salmon, sea trout, and char, there is an additional state fee, from which everyone under 18 is exempt.
What should I keep in mind when taking fish home from Norway?
The rules are stricter than many think. Only those who have fished via a registered fishing camp are permitted to export fish: since 2026, a maximum of 15 kg per person, up to twice per calendar year, from 2027 only 10 kg – and always with a personal export document from the camp. Those who fish on their own, for example from a holiday home, are not allowed to export any self-caught sea fish at all. If the limit is exceeded, the entire catch will be confiscated. Freshwater fish and king crabs are not subject to the quota. Check with the Norwegian customs (toll.no) before your return trip.
In which holiday countries is fishing with children particularly easy?
Norway (sea fishing free), Denmark (children without state license), and Sweden (coast and large lakes often free) are uncomplicated. But even there, the following applies: in freshwater, a local license is usually required, and minimum sizes and closed seasons must be observed.
Is my German fishing license valid abroad?
Generally, no. The German fishing certificate does not automatically authorize you to fish abroad. You must comply with the license rules of the respective country and purchase the appropriate license or permit there.
We strive to keep you accurately informed and update these pages regularly. Information is provided without guarantee. Please point out any discrepancies so that we can update the information.
Tight Lines – your Fin-Buddies team 🎣
Status: September 2026