SpearfishingMap

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).

Prohibited
DatatillidHøj tillid

Sidst opdateret Juni 15, 2026

Overordnet lovramme

  • §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)
Spydpistol
Forbudt
Udlændinge
Ikke tilladt

Loven, ordret

Lovtekster

De præcise lovbestemmelser og reguleringsforskrifter, der regulerer harpunfiskeri her, citeret som offentliggjort, med et link til hver officiel kilde.

01§ 1 Satz 2Germany (federal) · federal

Prohibition of causing harm to animals without good reason

Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act)

DEOriginal

Niemand darf einem Tier ohne vernünftigen Grund Schmerzen, Leiden oder Schäden zufügen.

02§ 4 Abs. 1 Satz 1Germany (federal) · federal

Killing of vertebrate animals only while avoiding pain

Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act)

DEOriginal

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.

03§ 31 Abs. 1Schleswig-Holstein · state

Prohibited fishing methods in Schleswig-Holstein (Baltic and North Sea coast)

Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (Landesfischereigesetz - LFischG)

DEOriginal

(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.

04§ 12 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1Mecklenburg-Vorpommern · state

Prohibited fishing methods in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Baltic coast)

Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V)

DEOriginal

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.

05§ 44 Abs. 1 und Abs. 2Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) · state

Prohibited fishing methods in Lower Saxony (North Sea coast)

Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG)

DEOriginal

(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.

06§ 2 WaffG (Anlage 2)Germany (federal) · federal

Harpoon classed as a weapon; minimum age 18 for acquisition, but use for spearfishing prohibited

Waffengesetz (WaffG) / commentary on Anlage 2

DEOriginal

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.

Hvornår du kan dykke

Sæsoner og tidsbegrænsninger

Lukkede, åbne og begrænsede perioder over året. Bekræft altid artsspecifikke lukkede perioder lokalt.

Ingen sæsonlukkede perioder registreret — bekræft lokalt inden du dykker.

Tilladelse til at fiske

Licens

Hvad du skal have for at må være i vandet, hvad det koster, og hvordan du får det.

Licens: ukendt — bekræft lokaltvia Competent state (Land) fisheries authority

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.

Få din licens

Åbner den officielle portal · gesetze-im-internet.de

Type
Not applicable - recreational spearfishing is prohibited and cannot be licensed. A general angling permit (Fischereischein plus Erlaubnisschein) does not authorise spearfishing.
Sådan får du licensen
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.
Myndighed
Competent state (Land) fisheries authority
Officiel licensportal · gesetze-im-internet.de

Udstyr og teknik

Udstyrskrav

Hvilket udstyr er tilladt, hvordan det må bruges, og hvilke betingelser der er knyttet hertil.

SpydpistolForbudt

Restriktioner

  • 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.

Hvad du må tage

Fangstbegrænsninger og fredede arter

Daglige kvoter, minimumsstørrelser og arter, der aldrig må fanges.

Dagsgrænse

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.

Hvem må fiske

Besøgende og fastboende

Hvordan reglerne adskiller sig for udenlandske besøgende og lokale fastboende.

Udenlandske besøgende

Ikke tilladt

Restriktioner

  • 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.

Fastboende

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.

Hvor langs kysten

Tilladte og forbudte zoner

Navngivne områder der er åbne for eller lukket for harpunfiskeri. Se det fulde billede på det interaktive kort.

Forbudte områder

  • 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.

    apnoetauchen-lernen.de
  • 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.

    apnoetauchen-lernen.de
  • 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.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • 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.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • 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.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • 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.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • 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.

    en.wikipedia.org
Se på kort

Forhold på vandet

Live forhold

Live hav- og vejrøjebliksbillede nær et kystreferencepunkt i Germany, fra Open-Meteo. Forholdene varierer langs kysten — brug som vejledning.

Live hav og vejr nær Wadden Sea National Parks (Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches / Niedersächsisches / Hamburgisches Wattenmeer).

Forhold

Hvem du kan spørge

Myndigheder

De officielle organer, der er ansvarlige for fiskeri og licensudstedelse.

  • Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) - Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

    fisheries / agriculture ministry (federal)

    bmel.de

  • Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Lebensmittelsicherheit und Fischerei Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LALLF M-V)

    state fisheries authority

    lallf.de

  • Ministerium für Landwirtschaft, ländliche Räume, Europa und Verbraucherschutz Schleswig-Holstein (Fischereibehörde)

    state fisheries authority

    schleswig-holstein.de

  • Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LAVES) - Dezernat Binnenfischerei

    state fisheries / consumer protection authority

    laves.niedersachsen.de

Hvor dette kommer fra

Kilder

Hvert udsagn på denne side kan spores tilbage til én af disse referencer.

  1. [01]

    Tierschutzgesetz § 1 (gesetze-im-internet.de, official federal law portal)

    Officiel
    gesetze-im-internet.deTilgået jun 15
  2. [02]

    Tierschutzgesetz § 4 (gesetze-im-internet.de, official federal law portal)

    Officiel
    gesetze-im-internet.deTilgået jun 15
  3. [03]

    Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (LFischG), official state PDF

    Officiel
    schleswig-holstein.deTilgået jun 15
  4. [04]

    Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V), § 12 (umwelt-online)

    Officiel
    umwelt-online.deTilgået jun 15
  5. [05]

    Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG), § 44 - FAO FAOLEX legal database PDF

    Officiel
    faolex.fao.orgTilgået jun 15
  6. [06]

    Harpune gemäß Waffengesetz - explanation of WaffG age limit and spearfishing prohibition

    Sekundær
    bussgeldkatalog.netTilgået jun 15
  7. [07]

    Speerfischen in Deutschland? Geht das? (apnoetauchen-lernen.de, dive education site)

    Sekundær
    apnoetauchen-lernen.deTilgået jun 15
  8. [08]

    Spearfishing in Europe - Law, Rules and Restrictions (harpune.info)

    community
    harpune.infoTilgået jun 15

Forskernoter

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.

Hold dig opdateretTidlig adgang

Giv mig besked, når Germanys regler ændrer sig

Vi sender dig en e-mail, når Germanys sæsoner eller regler opdateres i vores datasæt.

Giv mig besked om

Ingen spam — kun ændringsadvarsler. Afmeld når som helst. Vi sælger aldrig din e-mail.