Here are a few frequently asked questions about our fishing licence service. Feel free to contact us if you don’t see yours below.
I’ve booked a fishing excursion. Do I need a licence?
Most probably not. If you have booked an excursion, the organiser has taken care of it. For excursion providers, local autonomous governements offer the possibility of getting collective licences. This means that whoever is on the boat at a given time, is taken care of. So, if the boat has a capacity for 15 people, the excursion provider probably has a licence for that exact amount of people. Please contact the excursion provider, to clarify it, before ordering from us. You will probably save some money 😉
What is your refund policy?
Due to the nature of the service, we can't offer any refunds. It takes us about 2 hours to process the licence. This includes queues in the bank, fishing office, and taking buses between the different offices.
Can I fish in lakes or rivers in Spain?
No, the licences are only for sea/ shore fishing. For fishing in the Spanish rivers or lakes, separate licences are needed, which we currently don't offer.
My son/daughter is 16 years old. Does he/she need a licence?
Yes, he/she probably does, depending on where you would like to fish.
For teenagers 14 to 18 years old, we offer the shore fishing licence issued by the government of the Cantabria. This licence allows teenagers to fish over there and all along the Spanish coastline, except rivers, estuaries, and lakes.
For the Canary Islands fishing licences, a considerable amount of additional paperwork is involved. A Spanish-certified translator must translate the birth certificate to prove that he/she is your son/daughter. When updating this website (August 2023), rules in the Canary Islands required this, but it may change.
What is the validity of the licence?
The validity of the licence is printed on it. Our 2-week licences last for, you guessed it, 2-weeks. The Canary and Balearic Islands' fishing licences both last for 3 years. The Cantabria fishing licence lasts for 5 years. They all have nationwide coverage, i.e. you can fish all along the Spanish shoreline.
Where are your licences issued?
Our licences are issued by different governments of Spain. They are valid for fishing on the shore or in the sea, for all coastal areas of Spain.
Where do I pick up the licence?
Licences are issued on normal pieces of paper. We pick up your licence from the fishing office, and scan it. All you have to do is print it out on your side, cut it out, and laminate it. Remember to carry a photocopy of your passport, or national identity card, so that fishing officers can compare them, in case you're stopped by them.
When shall I order my licence?
We recommend that you order at least a week before you arrive, to give enough time for processing, and to get the best value for your money. Ordering too early, e.g. six months before, isn't a good idea, because the licence will be issued with that date. So, if you arrive after six months in Spain, the next renewal date for the licence will be after 2.5 years.
How long does it take to get a fishing licence?
Processing typically takes 24-48 hours. For some licences, like the ones issued by the Canary Islands government, processing can sometimes take up to 2 weeks. Please let us know if you are in a hurry and we will try to get it done faster or suggest alternatives.
Why shall I order online?
Ordering online saves you time. We fill all the paperwork for you, go to the bank and pay the fees, and then to the fishing office to get your licence. Then, the licence is scanned and sent to you by e-mail.
Can I use live bait in the Canaries?
Yes, you can, as long as you follow the minimum size limits of the bait.
