Croatia
Europe · Southern Europe
Spearfishing (ribolov podvodnom puškom) is legal in Croatia but allowed ONLY under a sport fishing licence (sportska dozvola) issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and sold through clubs affiliated with the Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea (HSSRM). It is not permitted on a recreational (rekreacijska) licence. Strict conditions apply: minimum age 16, free-diving (breath-hold) only with diving apparatus / scuba strictly prohibited, daylight only (from sunrise to sunset), a mandatory signal buoy, and a daily catch limit of 5 kg per fisher (plus one fish exceeding it). Up to two spearguns per fisher are allowed; towing a diver by boat and use of an underwater scooter are forbidden. Spearfishing/fishing is banned in protected national parks (e.g. Kornati, Brijuni, Mljet, Krka), special reserves, certain river estuaries and bays, and in harbours, ports, public beaches and bathing areas (the latter seasonally from 1 May to 1 October).
Azken eguneraketa Maiatza 8, 2026
Arau-esparrua
- §Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), Narodne novine no. 62/17, 130/17, 14/19, 30/23, 14/24
- §Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru (Rulebook on Sport and Recreational Sea Fishing), Narodne novine no. 48/2026 (8 May 2026)
- Baimena beharrezkoa
- Beharrezkoa
- Arpoia
- Baimenduta
- Scuba
- Debekatuta
- Atzerritarrak
- Ongi etorria
- Arpoi gehienez
- 2
Legea, hitzez hitz
Lege-testuak
Hemen arpoiarekin arrantzatzea arautzen duten xedapen araugile eta arauzko zehatza, argitaratutakoak aipatuak, iturri ofizial bakoitzeko esteka batekin.
Underwater fishing with a speargun (sport fishing only, age 16, free-diving only, daylight only)
Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), NN 62/17, 130/17, 14/19, 30/23, 14/24
Članak 31. (1) Ribolov podvodnom puškom dozvoljen je samo u športskom ribolovu. (2) Pri obavljanju ribolova podvodnom puškom ribolovac mora biti propisno označen sukladno posebnom propisu kojim su regulirane podvodne aktivnosti. (3) Ribolov podvodnom puškom zabranjen je od zalaska do izlaska sunca. (4) Ribolov podvodnom puškom smije se obavljati samo ronjenjem na dah. (5) Zabranjeno je obavljanje ribolova podvodnom puškom osobama mlađima od 16 godina.
Daily catch limit of 5 kg per fisher in sport and recreational fishing
Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), NN 62/17, 130/17, 14/19, 30/23, 14/24
U športskom ribolovu i rekreacijskom ribolovu dopušteno je dnevno uloviti i sakupiti do pet kilograma riba i drugih morskih organizama po ribolovcu, a dopuštena dnevna količina ulova može biti veća za masu jedne ribe ili drugoga morskog organizma kojim se premašuje dopuštenih pet kilograma.
Definition of underwater fishing and speargun-only licence requirement
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026
Članak 3., točka 5.: Podvodni ribolov je ribolov podvodnom puškom koja se koristi za izbacivanje probodnog ribolovnog alata (harpuna ili ostiju). Članak 5., stavak 1. (popis dopuštenih alata): Ribolovac, nositelj godišnje, dnevne ili višednevne dozvole smije obavljati ribolov sljedećim ribolovnim alatima, opremom i metodom: − odmetom − kančenicom − povlačnim povrazom (panulom) − povrazom s kukom za lov glavonožaca − napravom za lov velikog morskog crva (trapula) − ručnim sakupljanjem morskih organizama sa ili bez korištenja priručne opreme − podvodnom puškom, isključivo uz kupnju sportske dozvole.
Special provisions for speargun fishing - no towing by boat or underwater scooter
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026
POSEBNE ODREDBE ZA RIBOLOV PODVODNOM PUŠKOM Članak 9. (1) Ograničenja u obavljanju ribolova podvodnom puškom propisana su Zakonom. (2) Zabranjeno je tegljenje ribolovca plovilom i/ili korištenje podvodnog skutera prilikom ribolova podvodnom puškom.
Fishing in protected areas requires a special licence; managing authority may further restrict or ban it
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026
RIBOLOV U ZAŠTIĆENIM PODRUČJIMA (1) Sportski i rekreacijski ribolov u zaštićenim područjima smije se obavljati uz posjedovanje posebne dozvole za ribolov u dijelovima mora zaštićenima u kategoriji nacionalnog parka, posebnog rezervata i parka prirode. (2) Javna ustanova koja upravlja zaštićenim područjem (u daljnjem tekstu: javna ustanova) određuje koje će vrste i potkategorije dozvola iz tablice iz članka 6. stavka 1. ovoga Pravilnika prodavati za ribolov u zaštićenom području u svojoj nadležnosti [...] Javna ustanova može u zaštićenim područjima potpuno zabraniti ili dodatno ograničiti sportski i/ili rekreacijski ribolov.
Noiz urpean sar zaitezken
Denboraldiak eta denbora-mugak
Urteko itxitako, irekitako eta mugatutako aldiak. Egiaztatu beti espeziearen arabera lokalean.
- ItxitaHarbours, ports, public beaches and bathing areasMai 1 – Urr 1
Recreational and sport sea fishing (including spearfishing) is prohibited in harbours, small ports, public beaches and bathing places during the bathing season from 1 May to 1 October. Outside marked bathing areas spearfishing is otherwise permitted year-round (daylight only).
- MugatutaAll spearfishing (daily time restriction)sunrise – sunset
Spearfishing is allowed exclusively during daylight, from sunrise to sunset; it is prohibited from sunset to sunrise (Zakon o morskom ribarstvu, čl. 31. st. 3).
Arrantza-baimena
Baimena
Uretara sartzeko behar duzuna, zenbat kostatzen den eta nola lortu.
Sport licences are sold through clubs/associations affiliated with the Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea (HSSRM); recreational licences via the Ministry's fisheries portal and authorised vendors. Issued in electronic form.
Lortu zure baimenaAtari ofiziala irekitzen du · hssrm.hr
- Mota
- Sport fishing licence (sportska dozvola) - mandatory for spearfishing; recreational licence does NOT permit spearfishing
- Kostua
- Annual sport/recreational licence for adults under 65: 46.45 EUR (2026 tariff). Daily licence 10 EUR, 3-day 25 EUR, 7-day 45 EUR, 150-day 79.63 EUR. Reduced rates for minors, war veterans (HRVI), pensioners and over-65s. (Pravilnik NN 48/2026, čl. 6.)
- Baliozkotasuna
- Daily (24h), 3-day (72h), 7-day (168h), 150-day, or annual (calendar year). Licences are non-transferable and issued electronically by the Ministry.
- Nola lortu
- Sport licences are sold through clubs/associations affiliated with the Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea (HSSRM); recreational licences via the Ministry's fisheries portal and authorised vendors. Issued in electronic form.
- Agintaritza
- Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i ribarstva - Uprava ribarstva (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - Directorate of Fisheries); sold via HSSRM member clubs
Ekipajea eta teknika
Ekipaje-arauak
Zer ekipaje dagoen baimenduta, nola erabil daitekeen eta aplikatzen diren baldintzak.
Murrizketak
- Free-diving (breath-hold) only - use of diving apparatus / scuba enabling underwater breathing is prohibited (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 4)
- Maximum two (2) spearguns per fisher
- Daylight only, from sunrise to sunset (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 3)
- Mandatory diver marking / signal buoy per underwater-activity regulations (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 2)
- Towing a fisher by boat and/or use of an underwater scooter is prohibited (Pravilnik, čl. 9. st. 2)
- Minimum age 16 (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 5)
- Collecting marine organisms using diving apparatus is prohibited (Pravilnik, čl. on collection)
Spearfishing requires a sport (not recreational) licence. A signal float marking the diver's position is required; historically a minimum 10-litre signal buoy connected to the weight belt was specified.
Zer har dezakezun
Harrapaketa-mugak eta babestutako espezieak
Eguneroko kuotak, tamaina minimoak eta inoiz hartu behar ez diren espezieak.
Eguneroko muga
5 kg of fish and other marine organisms per fisher per day, plus the weight of one fish/organism that exceeds the 5 kg threshold (Zakon, čl. 33. st. 3). Within this, live bivalves and snails up to 2 kg (mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis up to 5 kg).
Babestutako espezieak — ez hartu
- BabestuaBluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) - prohibited except under specific trophy/competition quota schemes
- BabestuaGroupers - kirnje (Polyprion americanus, Mycteroperca rubra): max 1 specimen total per day
- BabestuaSharks and rays (Elasmobranchii) - protected/sensitive species must be released
- BabestuaDate mussel / prstac (Lithophaga lithophaga) - strictly protected, harvest banned
Minimum reference (landing) sizes and closed seasons (lovostaji) for individual species are set by a separate regulation on protection of fish and marine organisms. Octopus (Octopus vulgaris): max 2 specimens/day. Selling the catch from sport/recreational fishing is prohibited.
Nork arrantza egin dezakeen
Bisitariak eta bertakoek
Arauak nola desberdinak diren atzerriko bisitarientzat eta bertako bizilagunendako.
Atzerriko bisitariak
BaimendutaEskakizunak
- Purchase the same sport licence as residents to spearfish (recreational licence does not allow spearfishing)
- Comply with minimum age 16, free-diving only, daylight only, signal buoy, and area/zone restrictions
Murrizketak
- Sport licences are sold through HSSRM member clubs; foreigners commonly buy via a club or authorised vendor
- Same protected-area and seasonal bans apply (national parks, reserves, harbours/beaches 1 May - 1 October)
Foreign visitors may spearfish on the same terms as Croatians provided they hold a valid sport licence and follow all national rules.
Bizilaguneak
Sport fishing licence (sportska dozvola) for spearfishing; recreational licence (rekreacijska dozvola) for general angling (no speargun)
Eskakizunak
- Valid electronic licence issued by the Ministry
- Minimum age 16 for speargun fishing
- Sport licence purchased via an HSSRM member club
Onurak
- Reduced annual fees for minors, war veterans (HRVI), pensioners, and persons over 65
- Free licences for certain categories (e.g. over-65 residents of islands/Pelješac, under certain conditions)
Persons under 14 may do recreational angling (one hand line) without a licence, but this does not cover spearfishing, which requires a sport licence and a minimum age of 16.
Kostan non
Baimendutako eta debekatutako eremuak
Arpoiarekin arrantzatzeko irekita edo itxita dauden eremu izendatuak. Ikusi irudi osoa mapa interaktiboan.
Baimendutako eremuak
Spearfishing is permitted in the open Croatian Adriatic on a valid sport licence, outside national parks, special reserves, listed estuaries/bays, and outside harbours, ports and bathing areas (the latter banned 1 May - 1 October). Free-diving only, daylight only, with a signal buoy.
Sport licence required; min age 16; free-diving only (no scuba); daylight only; signal buoy mandatory; max 2 spearguns; 5 kg/day catch limit.
Debekatutako eremuak
- Kornati National Parknational park
Fishing and spearfishing prohibited within the national park; recreational/sport fishing only via the park's public institution under separate rules and generally not permitted for spearfishing.
- Brijuni National Parknational park
Fishing and spearfishing prohibited within the national park boundaries.
- Mljet National Parknational park
Fishing and spearfishing prohibited within the national park boundaries.
- Krka National Parknational park
National park (river Krka and estuary) - not a fishing zone; spearfishing prohibited.
- Lim channel (Limski kanal)special reserve
Fishing prohibited in the Lim channel (special reserve / aquaculture zone).
- Medulin bay and Klimno bay (island of Krk)protected bay / no-take area
Fishing prohibited in Medulin bay and in Klimno bay on the island of Krk.
- River estuaries (Dragonja, Mirna, Raša, Rječina, Zrmanja, Jadro, Žrnovnica, Cetina, Neretva, Rijeka Dubrovačka)estuary / special reserve
Fishing prohibited in the listed river estuaries and in Rijeka Dubrovačka.
- Harbours, ports, public beaches and bathing areasport / bathing area
Fishing/spearfishing prohibited in harbours, small ports, public beaches and bathing places (seasonally 1 May - 1 October).
- Telašćica Nature Park (no-take marine zones)nature park / marine no-take zone
Telašćica Nature Park on the southeastern part of Dugi Otok island. Croatia's first no-take ('no-fishing') marine zones were established here under the ordinance on fishing in protected areas for the Telašćica and Lastovo nature parks (in force from World Fisheries Day, 21 November). Any seabed exploitation, including spearfishing, is completely prohibited in the no-take zones; sport/recreational fishing in the park is otherwise governed by the park's public institution under special licence (NN 48/2026 art. on protected areas).
- Lastovo Islands Nature Park (Lastovsko otočje)nature park / marine no-take zone
Lastovo Islands Nature Park (Park prirode Lastovsko otočje), an archipelago of 46 islands/islets ~14 km south of Korčula with 143 km² of marine area. The park contains many no-take marine zones forming a protected band around the coast (seagrass meadows). Amateur fishing is not allowed in the park area; the same special ordinance on fishing in protected areas (Telašćica & Lastovo) applies, so spearfishing is prohibited in the no-take zones and otherwise tightly restricted under the park's public institution.
- Malostonski zaljev / Mali Ston Bay special marine reservespecial marine reserve
Mali Ston Bay (Malostonski zaljev), enclosed between the Pelješac peninsula and the mainland in southern Dalmatia, was declared a Special Natural (marine) Reserve in 1983 (≈4,821 ha, from the Sreser–Duba line eastwards) and is a Natura 2000 site. It is protected primarily as a shellfish-farming ecosystem (European flat oyster and Mediterranean mussel); as a special reserve it falls under the protected-area fishing regime (NN 48/2026) where the managing institution may fully prohibit or restrict sport/recreational fishing, including spearfishing.
- Posebni rezervat Rt Stupišćespecial marine reserve
Special marine reserve at Cape Stupišće near Komiža on the western coast of Vis island, declared by Croatian Government Decree (NN 76/2025, in force 13 May 2025). The reserve covers 109.7 ha (102.8 ha sea, 6.9 ha land) and protects Posidonia meadows, reefs, red coral, and endemic species. Under Article 4(2) of the Decree, all fishing and other extractive activities ('ribolov i ostale ekstrakcijske djelatnosti') are prohibited; only scientific/educational fishing and selective removal of invasive alien species are permitted under special authorisation. Diving tourism remains allowed under regulated conditions.
Uraren gaineko baldintzak
Baldintza biziak
Croatiako kostaldeko erreferentzia-puntu baten ondoko itsas eta eguraldi-egoera bizia, Open-Meteo bidez. Baldintzak aldatzen dira kostaldean zehar — adierazgarritzat hartu.
Itsas eta eguraldi-baldintza biziak Kornati National Park ondoan.
Nori galdetu
Agintariak
Arrantza eta baimenez arduratzen diren organo ofizialak.
Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i ribarstva - Uprava ribarstva (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - Directorate of Fisheries)
fisheries authority
ribarstvo.mps.hrribarstvo.mps.hrHrvatski savez za sportski ribolov na moru (HSSRM) - Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea
national sport fishing federation (licence sales)
hssrm.hrhttps://www.hssrm.hrGovernment of the Republic of Croatia - e-service for recreational and sport sea fishing
government portal
gov.hrgov.hr
Hemendik datorren informazioa
Iturriak
Orri honetako aldarrikapen bakoitza erreferentzia haietako batera lotzen da.
- [01]
Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), consolidated text
Ofizialazakon.hrSarbidea Eka 14 - [02]
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026 (official PDF via HSSRM)
Ofizialahssrm.hrSarbidea Eka 14 - [03]
MPS Uprava ribarstva - Rekreacijski i športski ribolov na moru
Ofizialaribarstvo.mps.hrSarbidea Eka 14 - [04]
Gov.hr - Rekreacijski i sportski ribolov na moru
Ofizialagov.hrSarbidea Eka 14 - [05]
HSSRM - Dozvole (licence info and sales)
Ofizialahssrm.hrSarbidea Eka 14 - [06]
Sea Fishing in Croatia: Regulations, licenses, prices - Croatia Traveller
Bigarren mailakoacroatiatraveller.comSarbidea Eka 14 - [07]
Fishing in Croatia - TheSailmaster (national parks / no-fishing zones)
Bigarren mailakoathesailmaster.siSarbidea Eka 14 - [08]
Rules in the Adriatic - Sea Spirit Adria (prohibited zones list)
Bigarren mailakoasea-spirit-adria.comSarbidea Eka 14
Ikertzailearen oharrak
Spearfishing is legal but restricted to a SPORT licence (not the recreational licence). Core restrictions (sport-only, age 16, free-diving only, daylight only, diver marking) are set in the Marine Fisheries Act art. 31, and the 5 kg/day limit in art. 33. The current implementing Rulebook is NN 48/2026 (in force May 2026), which delegates speargun restrictions to the Act and adds prohibitions on boat-towing and underwater scooters (art. 9). License fees are from the Pravilnik fee table (čl. 6); some figures (e.g. 150-day adult = 79.63 EUR, annual adult = 46.45 EUR) were read from the official PDF and may carry minor OCR uncertainty. Verbatim legal text for art. 31 and 33 was obtained from zakon.hr; verbatim Rulebook text from the official NN 48/2026 PDF hosted by HSSRM. Protected-area and harbour/beach prohibitions are corroborated by multiple secondary sources but exact park boundaries/coordinates are approximate centroids, not legal coordinates. Closed seasons and minimum sizes for individual species are governed by a separate species-protection regulation not fully captured here. Inland/freshwater spearfishing: Spearfishing is prohibited in all inland/freshwater bodies in Croatia under Article 57(1)(5) of the Zakon o slatkovodnom ribarstvu (Freshwater Fisheries Act, NN 106/2001, consolidated NN 63/19), which explicitly bans catching fish with an underwater gun (podvodna puška), spears (osti), or harpoons (harpuni) in freshwater — no exceptions for named lakes or reservoirs exist. Verified verbatim: "ako lovi ribu podvodnom puškom ili ostima ili harpunima ili električnom strujom ili drugim nedopuštenim sredstvima" (zakon.hr / narodne-novine.nn.hr).
Jakinarazi iezadazu Croatiako arauak aldatzen direnean
Mezu elektroniko bat bidaliko dizugu Croatiako denboraldiak edo arauak gure datu-multzoan eguneratzen direnean.