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Applying for a fishing licence Ausweise und Dokumente Hobby und Freizeit

If you want to fish or fish in Bremen, you need a fishing license. You can learn more about it here.

  • Basic information

    If you want to fish in Bremen (as an angler or professional fisherman), you must have a valid fishing license and carry it with you.

    The fishing license entitles you to fish

    • in the Weser within the Bremen state border
    • in the Kleine Weser
    • in the Lesum upstream to the Burger road bridge
    • in the tidal part of the Geeste (except nature conservation and fish protection areas)
    • in all other waters in Bremen/Bremerhaven and in other federal states in conjunction with a fishing license from the water owner or water tenant (does not apply to fishing licenses that were acquired via the transitional regulation of § 42 para. 3 BremFiG)

    The prerequisite for issuing a fishing license is

    • a successfully passed fishing license examination
    • or if you are trained as a professional fisherman.

    There are exceptions where a fishing license is issued without a fishing license examination. A fishing license can be issued without a fishing test to

    • Persons who have worked as coastal fishermen for at least 5 years.
    • Fish farmers and persons who are being trained for this purpose.
    • Persons who are scientifically trained in the field of fishing.
    • Members of diplomatic and professional consular missions of a country and their relatives, provided that they are identified by an identity card issued by the Foreign Office, a state or senate chancellery of a country.

    If you have a valid fishing licence from another federal state, this will be recognized in Bremen.

    Valid fishing licenses from other federal states do not have to be rewritten after moving to Bremen (change of main residence). However, they can be rewritten on request.

    Children who have not yet reached the age of 14 cannot yet obtain their own fishing license. However, they may fish if they are supervised by a person with a fishing license.

    Requirements

    • Sole or main residence in Bremen.
    • Minimum age 14 years.
    • Valid identity card or passport.
    • No previous convictions for gross or repeated violations of the regulations of animal protection or fishing law.
    • Fishing examination or fulfillment of the facts of the transitional regulation of § 42 paragraph 3 BremFiG.
    • You must apply to the office at your main place of residence.

  • Procedure

    After successfully passing the fishing license examination, you can apply for your fishing license at one of the three BürgerServiceCenter. Professional fishermen should contact the Supreme Fisheries Authority in Bremen - the Senator for Science and Ports.

    Personal application on site:

    • You must make an appointment. Appointments can be made online via this page or by calling (0421) 361-88665.
    • You apply for a fishing license in person on site. You cannot be represented by another person.
    • For this you need a proof of identity (e.g. identity card or passport).
    • as well as a current passport photo (from the age of 16).
    • as well as the fishing license examination certificate (or certificate as Fischwirt:in or Fischereipatent).
    • Minors (from 14 years) can apply for the fishing license without the presence of their parents, they only need an identity card or passport as proof of identity. A birth certificate is not accepted, as a photo ID must be explicitly presented.
    • There will be a check of the documents.
    • After payment of the administrative fee, the fishing license will be issued immediately.

    More information

    • The fishing examination can be taken in the state of Bremen at the Landesfischereiverband Bremen:
      • Grambker Heerstr. 141
        28719 Bremen
        Tel.: (0421) 6 44 99 94
        Fax (0421) 6 94 02 24

    The link to the website of the Bremen State Fishing Association can be found under "Further information".

    • For further information on fishing licenses, please call (0421) 361-88665.

  • Necessary Documents
    • Identity card or passport
    • Passport photo

      It may or may not be a biometric passport photo.

    • Important information about the photo booths in all offices of the Citizen's Office:
      • The machines are operated by outside companies and often do not work. It cannot be guaranteed that passport photos can be taken on site. We advise you to bring passport photos to the appointment.
    • Fisheries inspection certificate

      or proof within the meaning of § 42 para. 3 BremFiG (fishing licence issued before 01.10.1991 with a validity of at least three consecutive years)

    • Fishing license of the other federal state

      Only necessary for the transfer when moving to Bremen.

    • If applicable, certificate as a fish economist or fishing license.

  • Competent Department

  • Fees / Costs

    64,00 EUR First issue of fishing licence
    20,00 EUR Replacement fishing licence (duplicate)

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    The fishing licence is valid for an unlimited period.

    How long does it take to process

    Immediate issuance, provided that all documents are available.

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

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This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct. 05.11.2025

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