Germany
Europe · Western Europe
Recreational spearfishing (Speerfischen / Harpunieren) is prohibited everywhere in Germany. Fishing law in Germany is regulated at the state (Land) level, and the fisheries acts of all 16 Bundesländer ban the use of spears, harpoons and other injuring devices for catching fish (with fishing hooks as the only exception). This applies to both inland waters and the marine coastal waters of the three coastal states (Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen / Lower Saxony). The prohibition is reinforced federally by the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz), which forbids causing pain, suffering or harm to a vertebrate without good reason and requires killing animals while avoiding pain. Separately, under the federal Weapons Act (Waffengesetz), a speargun/harpoon is classed as a weapon that may be acquired and possessed from age 18, but possession does not make its use for fishing lawful. No state offers a general permit for recreational spearfishing; the only statutory exceptions are narrow (e.g. scientific purposes, or eel fishing in Lower Saxony under a specific exemption).
Diweddarwyd ddiwethaf Mehefin 15, 2026
Fframwaith llywodraethu
- §Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act), federal, as amended (§ 1, § 4)
- §Waffengesetz (Weapons Act / WaffG), federal, 2002 as amended (§ 2, Anlage 2)
- §Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (Landesfischereigesetz - LFischG), 10 February 1996 as amended (§ 31)
- §Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V), 13 April 2005 as amended (§ 12)
- §Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG), as amended (§ 44)
- Gwn gwayw
- Gwaharddedig
- Tramorwyr
- Heb ei ganiatáu
Y gyfraith, air am air
Testunau cyfreithiol
Y darpariaethau statudol a rheoleiddiol manwl sy'n llywodraethu pysgota â gwaywffon yma, wedi'u dyfynnu fel y'u cyhoeddwyd, gyda dolen i bob ffynhonnell swyddogol.
Prohibition of causing harm to animals without good reason
Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act)
Niemand darf einem Tier ohne vernünftigen Grund Schmerzen, Leiden oder Schäden zufügen.
Killing of vertebrate animals only while avoiding pain
Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act)
Ein Wirbeltier darf nur unter wirksamer Schmerzausschaltung (Betäubung) in einem Zustand der Wahrnehmungs- und Empfindungslosigkeit oder sonst, soweit nach den gegebenen Umständen zumutbar, nur unter Vermeidung von Schmerzen getötet werden.
Prohibited fishing methods in Schleswig-Holstein (Baltic and North Sea coast)
Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (Landesfischereigesetz - LFischG)
(1) Es ist verboten, beim Fischfang schädigende Mittel, insbesondere künstliches Licht, explodierende, betäubende und giftige Mittel sowie verletzende Geräte, mit Ausnahme von Angelhaken, anzuwenden. Langleinen bleiben der Erwerbsfischerei vorbehalten.
Prohibited fishing methods in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Baltic coast)
Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V)
Es ist verboten, bei der Fischerei Schusswaffen, Speere, Harpunen, Schlingen, künstliche Köder mit feststehendem Mehrfachhaken oder andere verletzende Geräte mit Ausnahme von Angelhaken [...] zu verwenden oder in gebrauchsfertigem Zustand auf oder an Gewässern mit sich zu führen.
Prohibited fishing methods in Lower Saxony (North Sea coast)
Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG)
(1) Es ist verboten, beim Fischfang anzuwenden: Sprengstoffe und ähnlich wirkende Stoffe, Mittel und Verfahren, die geeignet sind, die dem Fischereirecht unterliegenden Tiere zu betäuben oder zu vergiften, Leuchten und Fackeln, die dazu dienen, Tiere anzulocken oder zusammenzutreiben, Schußwaffen, Speere, Harpunen und Schlingen. (2) Der fischereikundliche Dienst (§ 60) kann für wissenschaftliche Zwecke Ausnahmen von den Verboten des Absatzes 1 zulassen; er kann Ausnahmen von dem Verbot des Absatzes 1 Nr. 2 auch für die Regulierung von Fischbeständen, von dem Verbot des Absatzes 1 Nr. 3 auch für den Aalfang zulassen.
Harpoon classed as a weapon; minimum age 18 for acquisition, but use for spearfishing prohibited
Waffengesetz (WaffG) / commentary on Anlage 2
Laut § 2 WaffG ist die Abgabe einer Harpune, da eine Waffe, nur an Personen ab 18 Jahren gestattet. [...] Denn in Deutschland ist das Speerfischen untersagt, sodass eine Harpune zum Angeln oder Sportfischen nicht verwendet werden darf.
Pryd gallwch blymio
Tymhorau a chyfyngiadau amser
Cyfnodau caeëdig, agored a chyfyngedig drwy gydol y flwyddyn. Cadarnhewch bob amser gaead rhywogaethau penodol yn lleol.
Dim tymhorau caeëdig wedi'u cofnodi — gwiriwch yn lleol cyn plymio.
Caniatâd i bysgota
Trwydded
Beth sydd ei angen arnoch i gael caniatâd i fod yn y dŵr, faint mae'n ei gostio, a sut i'w chael.
No license for recreational spearfishing exists. Narrow statutory exceptions (e.g. scientific purposes) may be granted by the competent state fisheries authority; in Lower Saxony a specific exemption exists only for eel fishing under § 44 Abs. 2 Nds. FischG.
Cael eich trwyddedYn agor y porth swyddogol · gesetze-im-internet.de
- Math
- Not applicable - recreational spearfishing is prohibited and cannot be licensed. A general angling permit (Fischereischein plus Erlaubnisschein) does not authorise spearfishing.
- Sut i'w chael
- No license for recreational spearfishing exists. Narrow statutory exceptions (e.g. scientific purposes) may be granted by the competent state fisheries authority; in Lower Saxony a specific exemption exists only for eel fishing under § 44 Abs. 2 Nds. FischG.
- Awdurdod
- Competent state (Land) fisheries authority
Offer a thechneg
Rheolau offer
Pa offer sydd wedi'i ganiatáu, sut y gellir ei ddefnyddio, a'r amodau sydd ynghlwm.
Cyfyngiadau
- Use of spears (Speere), harpoons (Harpunen) and other injuring devices for fishing is prohibited in all German states; only fishing hooks (Angelhaken) are permitted as a catching device.
- A speargun/harpoon is classed as a weapon under the Weapons Act (WaffG) and may only be acquired/transferred to persons aged 18 or over (§ 2 WaffG).
- Possession of a speargun is lawful from age 18, but using it to catch fish is prohibited (Speerfischen untersagt).
The ban is on the use of injuring devices for fishing, not on owning a speargun. Owning a speargun (e.g. for use abroad) is legal from age 18; using it in German waters to take fish is not.
Beth y cewch ei gymryd
Terfynau dal a rhywogaethau gwarchodedig
Cwotâu dyddiol, meintiau lleiafswm, a rhywogaethau na ddylid byth eu cymryd.
Terfyn dyddiol
Not applicable - recreational spearfishing is prohibited.
Catch limits and minimum sizes apply to lawful angling (rod and line) under each state's fisheries regulations, but are not relevant to spearfishing because spearfishing itself is prohibited.
Pwy sy'n cael pysgota
Ymwelwyr a phreswylwyr
Sut mae'r rheolau'n wahanol ar gyfer ymwelwyr tramor a phreswylwyr lleol.
Ymwelwyr tramor
Heb ei ganiatáuCyfyngiadau
- The prohibition on spearfishing applies to everyone in German waters regardless of nationality or residence.
- A foreign spearfishing/freediving qualification does not authorise spearfishing in Germany.
Foreign visitors are subject to the same prohibition as German residents. Spearfishing licences or experience obtained abroad confer no rights in Germany.
Preswylwyr
Not applicable - no spearfishing licence exists for residents.
German residents may obtain an angling licence (Fischereischein) for rod-and-line fishing, but this does not permit spearfishing. The prohibition applies equally to residents.
Ble ar yr arfordir
Parthau caniatáu a gwaharddedig
Ardaloedd penodol sydd ar agor i neu wedi'u cau ar gyfer pysgota â gwaywffon. Gweler y darlun llawn ar y map rhyngweithiol.
Ardaloedd gwaharddedig
- All German marine and inland watersnational prohibition (all waters)
Recreational spearfishing with spears, harpoons or other injuring devices is prohibited in all German waters under the fisheries acts of all 16 federal states. There are no zones where recreational spearfishing is permitted, including the Baltic Sea (Ostsee) and North Sea (Nordsee) coastal waters.
- Wadden Sea National Parks (Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches / Niedersächsisches / Hamburgisches Wattenmeer)national park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area
Protected marine and intertidal areas along the German North Sea coast with strict nature-conservation rules; spearfishing is prohibited as elsewhere in Germany and additional conservation restrictions apply.
- Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeernational park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area
North Sea Wadden Sea national park along the Schleswig-Holstein coast (from the Danish border to the Elbe estuary), ~441,500 ha. Spearfishing is prohibited nationwide in Germany; additional strict nature-conservation rules apply in this marine/intertidal MPA.
- Nationalpark Niedersächsisches Wattenmeernational park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area
Lower Saxony Wadden Sea national park covering the East Frisian Islands, mudflats and salt marshes from the Bay of Dollart on the Dutch border to Cuxhaven/Outer Elbe, ~345,800 ha. Spearfishing is prohibited everywhere in Germany; this is also a strictly protected marine MPA.
- Nationalpark Hamburgisches Wattenmeernational park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area
Hamburg Wadden Sea national park in the North Sea / Elbe mouth northwest of Cuxhaven, including the islands of Neuwerk, Scharhörn and Nigehörn, ~13,750 ha. Spearfishing is prohibited nationwide; this is a strictly protected marine MPA.
- Nationalpark Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaftnational park / marine protected area (Baltic Sea)
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's largest national park on the Baltic Sea coast between the Darss-Zingst peninsula, Hiddensee island and the west coast of Rügen, ~78,600 ha (over 80% Baltic Sea and brackish Bodden lagoons). Spearfishing is prohibited everywhere in Germany; this Baltic marine MPA has additional conservation restrictions.
- Nationalpark Jasmundnational park / marine protected area (Baltic Sea)
Germany's smallest national park on the east coast of Rügen between Sassnitz and Lohme (Baltic Sea), with chalk cliffs (Königsstuhl) and a protected marine component of submarine chalk ridges, boulder fields and mussel beds. Spearfishing is prohibited nationwide; additional protection applies in this Baltic MPA.
Cyflyrau ar y dŵr
Cyflyrau byw
Cipolwg morol a thywydd byw ger pwynt cyfeirio arfordirol yn Germany, o Open-Meteo. Mae cyflyrau'n amrywio ar hyd yr arfordir — triniwch fel dangosol.
Morol byw a thywydd ger Wadden Sea National Parks (Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches / Niedersächsisches / Hamburgisches Wattenmeer).
Pwy i ofyn iddynt
Awdurdodau
Y cyrff swyddogol sy'n gyfrifol am bysgodfeydd a thrwyddedu.
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) - Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
fisheries / agriculture ministry (federal)
Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Lebensmittelsicherheit und Fischerei Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LALLF M-V)
state fisheries authority
Ministerium für Landwirtschaft, ländliche Räume, Europa und Verbraucherschutz Schleswig-Holstein (Fischereibehörde)
state fisheries authority
Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LAVES) - Dezernat Binnenfischerei
state fisheries / consumer protection authority
O ble daw hyn
Ffynonellau
Mae pob honiad ar y dudalen hon yn deillio o un o'r cyfeiriadau hyn.
- [01]
Tierschutzgesetz § 1 (gesetze-im-internet.de, official federal law portal)
Swyddogolgesetze-im-internet.deCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [02]
Tierschutzgesetz § 4 (gesetze-im-internet.de, official federal law portal)
Swyddogolgesetze-im-internet.deCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [03]
Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (LFischG), official state PDF
Swyddogolschleswig-holstein.deCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [04]
Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V), § 12 (umwelt-online)
Swyddogolumwelt-online.deCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [05]
Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG), § 44 - FAO FAOLEX legal database PDF
Swyddogolfaolex.fao.orgCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [06]
Harpune gemäß Waffengesetz - explanation of WaffG age limit and spearfishing prohibition
Eilraddbussgeldkatalog.netCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [07]
Speerfischen in Deutschland? Geht das? (apnoetauchen-lernen.de, dive education site)
Eilraddapnoetauchen-lernen.deCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [08]
Spearfishing in Europe - Law, Rules and Restrictions (harpune.info)
communityharpune.infoCyrchwyd Meh 15
Nodiadau'r ymchwilydd
Germany has a sea coastline (Baltic Sea and North Sea), but recreational spearfishing is prohibited nationwide. Fishing law is a competence of the federal states (Länder), and each state's fisheries act bans spears/harpoons or, more broadly, 'verletzende Geräte mit Ausnahme von Angelhaken' (injuring devices except fishing hooks). Verbatim provisions were captured for the three coastal states (Schleswig-Holstein § 31, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern § 12, Niedersachsen § 44) plus the federal Animal Welfare Act (§ 1, § 4). The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern § 12 verbatim text was retrieved from umwelt-online and includes a bracketed ellipsis marking omitted enumerated items between the listed gear and the 'mit sich zu führen' clause; the listed gear and the Angelhaken exception are quoted exactly. The federal Weapons Act (WaffG) treats a harpoon/speargun as a weapon: acquisition/possession is allowed from age 18, but using it for fishing is prohibited. No seasons or allowed zones exist because the activity itself is illegal. data_confidence is high: the core prohibition is confirmed by official verbatim statutory text from multiple jurisdictions and corroborated by secondary sources. The only narrow statutory exceptions are for scientific purposes (all states) and eel fishing in Lower Saxony (§ 44 Abs. 2 Nds. FischG); there is no general recreational-spearfishing permit anywhere in Germany. Inland/freshwater spearfishing: Prohibited in all inland/freshwater bodies (lakes, rivers, reservoirs, canals) under the fisheries acts of all 16 German federal states, which ban the use of spears, harpoons, and other injuring devices for fishing — no named inland water body constitutes an exception to this blanket prohibition.
Hysbysu fi pan fo rheolau Germany yn newid
Byddwn yn anfon e-bost atoch pan fo tymhorau neu reoliadau Germany yn cael eu diweddaru yn ein set ddata.