A Spanish boat fishing licence is needed to fish from a boat. The size of the ship doesn’t matter. Anything that moves on the water needs one. Getting a licence means following the rules of minimum sizes, maximum weight, protected zones, etc., of each area where you will fish. Please take some time to check what you’re allowed to fish, what you aren’t permitted to fish, and the maximum amount of fish (in units and kilos). Different areas have slightly different rules.
Each part of Spain has a set of slightly different rules and licences. Although many parts of Spain recognise licences issued by other Spanish government bodies, getting the boat licence from where you will fish is always better. There are two general types of licences:
Individual fishing licences: These have the name of the person who will fish printed on them. Only the licence holder can fish. It doesn’t matter on what boat. Areas that issue these are:
- Canary Islands
- Andalucia
- Catalonia
- Cantabria
- Asturias
Boat fishing licences: These have the boat’s name on the licence. Everyone on board is covered up to a specific limit, usually five people. We currently don’t do these. Please go to the nearest fishing office with the boat documents if you need one. Governments that issue this type of licence are:
- Balearic Islands
- Valencia
- Murcia
Canary Islands Boat Fishing Licence
Rules in the Canaries are slightly different compared to other parts of the country.
- If you fish from a boat an anchored boat, you’re covered by any of our shore fishing licences.
- You will need a boat fishing licence if you are fishing from a moving boat. The size of the boat doesn’t matter. It can be an inflatable raft, a surfboard, or anything that moves.
Canary Islands Boat Fishing Licence: What Documents Are Needed
To apply for the Canary Islands boat fishing licence, we will need the following documents:
1) Your passport or national ID card. If you’re a Spanish resident, the NIE document will also do.
2) A signed authorisation allowing us to act on your behalf. This one-sentence authorisation is sometimes needed to speed up the delivery. We will send it to you to sign after we receive your ID card/ passport.
Processing takes a couple of working days after you send us the above items. You will receive the licence by e-mail. All you have to do is to print it out.
Fishing in Other Parts of Spain From a Small Boat (Without a Flag)
For all the other parts of Spain, you can fish from a floating object or a small boat (without a flag) with any of our shore fishing licences.
Fishing In Other Parts of Spain From a Big Boat (With a Flag)
Andalucia: Our Andalucia boat fishing licence will let you fish, but you have to be a resident (i.e. have a valid NIE number) to be able to apply for it. If you’re not a resident, please apply for the Canary Islands boat fishing licence, which will also let you fish there.
Catalonia: This region issues “individual” licences. You can use our 2-week licence, the Canary Islands boat fishing licence, and the Andalucia boat fishing licence, will allow you to fish there.
Cantabria: If you’ve registered your boat in Spain (lista 7º), you can fish with our Cantabria shore fishing licence. Fishing is allowed in other areas that issue individual fishing licences (Canaries, Andalucia, Catalonia).
Murcia, Valencia, Balearics: These regions issue licences for the boats covering the people fishing onboard. Please visit the nearest fishing office to apply for this type of licence. The main advantage of this is that it will cover everyone on board. This is great if you own the boat. If you rent a boat, you will have to ask the owner of the boat if it already has a boat fishing licence. Many owners who rent boats can be uncooperative. If you get into trouble (i.e. don’t follow the fishing rules), they don’t want to be held accountable. Instead, they will tell you that they don’t have one.
Tourist Excursion Charter Boats: Do I need a Spanish Boat Fishing Licence?
If you’re going on a fishing excursion, you don’t need a Spanish boat fishing licence. The commercial excursion boats already have a collective licence, for all the people on board.
If you have any doubts or need help chosing the right type of licence, feel free to contact us