So you have arrived and realized that you need a Spanish spearfishing licence to practice this sport? Nothing to worry about. Getting one is easy.
The first thing you have to do is to visit the local fishing office nearest to you. They will give you an application form and print out the fishing fees for you.
For all parts of Spain, a Spanish doctor’s certificate is mandatory, to prove that you are fit enough to practice this sport. Although it is a straightforward process, it discourages many people. They think that they have to visit a hospital or a real doctor’s office full of sick people waiting to be attended to. This is rarely true since this type of doctor’s facilities specialises in issuing certificates all day. Most people you will meet are healthy drivers who have come to renew their licences.
Due to Covid, fishing offices in many parts of Spain require that you take an appointment before you show up. Others allow people to come without them, but that can change any time, if too many people show up, e.g. in the summer.
Once you have got everything (application, paid fees bank receipt, and the doctor’s certificate saying that you’re fit), you can go back to the fishing office to present all, and collect your licence.
Spanish Spearfishing Licence issued by the Canary Islands Government
If you prefer to order online, we can help. Our Spanish spearfishing licence will have you covered for the full shoreline EXCEPT for Andalucia. For this region, you will need to contact their nearest fishing office, since they don’t allow licences from other regions.
This is what is needed:
- Payment
- Passport or national ID card copy
- Original Spanish doctor’s certificate
To order, we will need the original doctor’s certificate. Unfortunately, a digital copy won’t do. Authorities in the Canaries are strict since there are so many clever people with Photoshop skills 😉
Please read this and make sure that your doctor’s certificate is recent and contains the words “apto para la pesca submarina a pulmón libre”
Let us know where to pick up your doctor’s certificate and the available hours. We will send a courier. This pickup service is included in the price of the licence.
Once we receive the original doctor’s certificate, we will process the application, and send you your Spanish spearfishing licence by email. All you have to do is to print it out and you’re ready to go!
The typical processing time is usually 1 or 2 working days after your doctor’s certificate is received in our office. We do hurry up if you’re on holiday, so please mention that while ordering.
Do I Need to Buy Insurance?
If you would like to use, buy, or carry a speargun, you will need to purchase insurance. This will have you covered in case there is an accident. It lasts for one year and covers all of Spain. If you go outside Spain, it will cover you for a month. It is issued by spearfishing federations of various Spanish areas.
Basic Spearfishing Rules to Follow
The most important rule to follow is common sense to stay safe. We recommend that you always go with someone. Not only it doubles the fun, but it is safer. If you don’t know anyone and would like someone to accompany you, you can contact the spearfishing federation from the area nearest to you. They will put you in touch with registered club members who organize weekly activities. Here are the rules:
- Practice the sport from sunrise to sunset.
- Always mark your position with a bright flota or buoy, so that people riding boats know that you are there.
- Never load the speargun outside the water. Fishing inspectors generally take a photo with their smartphone before they even approach you, to check whether it is loaded or not.
- Stay at least 250 meters away from harbours, shore fishermen, swimmers, etc.
- Don’t use any electrofishing equipment. Using explosives will also get you in trouble really fast.
- Don’t use underwater scooters or similar vehicles.
