Recreational fishing in Spain: licences and rules to check

Start with the location and method

In Spain, it is not enough to check that you have a licence: you need to identify where you plan to fish and by which method. The state framework for recreational sea fishing in external waters distinguishes that area from inland waters, where fishing is regulated by the autonomous communities. A licence or authorisation should therefore not be assumed valid for every territory or type of water.

Inland waters: the example of Madrid

In the Community of Madrid, a fishing licence allows fishing in the inland waters within its remit, but it does not replace the landholder’s authorisation for an enclosed area or the specific permit that may be required for a fishing reserve (“coto”) and a particular date. The community also describes an inter-regional fishing licence valid in inland waters in ten autonomous communities, including Madrid; check that the planned location falls within its scope.

Madrid’s rules change by season: its closed-season order sets out the species that may be fished, catch limits, minimum sizes, open seasons and other restrictions for rivers, streams and reservoirs. The official page identifies the 2026 closed-season order as the one applicable to that season. These rules should not be extrapolated to other autonomous communities.

Areas and additional permits

In Madrid, controlled-fishing areas (“tramos de pesca controlada”) require a personal permit for the relevant date. Fishing reserves (“cotos”) may also require express authorisation, in addition to a licence. Before setting out, check the area’s category and conditions in the current closed-season order; having a general licence does not by itself guarantee access to every location.

Sea fishing: inland and external waters

The state regulation of recreational sea fishing in external waters is coordinated with activity licences or authorisations issued by coastal autonomous communities; inland waters are regulated by the autonomous communities. Royal Decree 347/2011 also establishes a specific regime for catching species subject to special protection in external waters.

The Ministry’s information page describes a specific procedure: authorisation to catch and keep those species on board recreational vessels in the sixth and seventh registries. It is not a general authorisation for every sea-fishing trip. If the planned activity involves this procedure, check the official information page and applicable regulations before setting out.

Final check

Before setting out, check the type of water and the competent authority; whether your licence covers the territory and method; whether the area, fishing reserve (“coto”) or vessel requires another permit; and which seasonal order and restrictions apply to the location and date. The sources cited here detail Madrid’s inland-water case and a specific state procedure for external waters; they are not a complete list of requirements for every autonomous community, method and area in Spain.