Shore fishing in Spain with your kids sometimes requires additional licences for them. This depends on how old they are. Each region has its own fishing laws. Some are stricter, and require additional licences for each kid. Other regions are more lenient, and allow the child to share a fishing rod with his or her parent. Here is the list of areas:
Areas of Spain That Allow Kids to Fish Without a Licence
Balearic Islands (under 14-year-olds)
If you’re fishing in the Balearic Islands, your kids don’t need a licence. They’re allowed to fish from the shore, as well as from kayaks, pedal boats, inflatable rafts, and other similar floating objects. If they’re over 14 years old, they will need a licence.
Regions that Allow Parents to Share their Licence for Shore Fishing in Spain
Here is a list of Spanish regions that don’t require a licence for children. Since you’re allowed 2 rods with 3 hooks per licence holder, the child is allowed to fish with one of them. If you have 2 kids, then the parent and kids have to share 2 rods.
- Valencia (under 18-year-olds)
- Murcia (under 14-year-olds)
- Euskadi (Basque Country) (under 16-year-olds)
- Catalonia (under 14-year olds)
- Andalucía (under 14-year olds)
Regions That Require Kids to Have Their Own Licences
- Canary Islands – Difficult to get even if you go in person. A translated birth certificate (by certified translator) is needed which usually costs 30 euros or more, and sometimes takes almost a week to get. If you’re a Spanish citizen, it’s easier, because Spaniards have a document known as “Libro de Familia” with the names of the children of the family.
- Galicia
Document That Your Child Must Carry
In some parts of the country, where your child isn’t required to have a fishing licence, he/she must carry a parent authorization, in Spanish. This is especially enforced if the parent isn’t near the child. You will also need this authorization when you go to apply for the licences, where required. Please copy the below text on a piece of paper and you’re ready to go.
Autorización Paterna para la Pesca Recreativa Desde Orilla (Parent authorization for fishing from the shore)
Yo (your name here), con pasaporte número (your passport number here),
Autorizo a mi hijo (your son’s name here) /hija (your daughter’s name here) con pasaporte número (child’s passport number here)
a practicar la pesca recreativa desde tierra.
(Your signature here)
