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
Earbsa dàtaEarbsa àrd

Air ùrachadh mu dheireadh An t-Ògmhios 15, 2026

Frèam riaghladh

  • §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)
Gunna-sleagha
Toirmisgte
Coigrich
Chan eil ceadaichte

An lagh, verbatim

Teacsaichean laghail

Na foillseachaidhean reachdail agus riaghailteach mionaideach a tha a' riaghladh slighe-biasd an seo, air an luaidh mar a chaidh am foillseachadh, le ceangal ri gach stòras oifigeil.

01§ 1 Satz 2Germany (federal) · federal

Prohibition of causing harm to animals without good reason

Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act)

DETùsail

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)

DETùsail

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)

DETùsail

(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)

DETùsail

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)

DETùsail

(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

DETùsail

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.

Cuin a ghabhas tu tumadh

Ràithean & cuingeachaidhean ùine

Ùineachan dùinte, fosgailte agus cuingichte tron bhliadhna. Daingneach an-còmhnaidh dùnaidhean gnè-sònraichte gu h-ionadail.

Chan eil dùnaidhean ràitheil air an clàradh — dearbhaich gu h-ionadail mus tum thu.

Cead iasgaich

Cead

Dè a dh'fheumas tu gus a bhith ceadaichte anns an uisge, dè a chosgas e, agus mar a gheibhear e.

Cead: neo-aithnichte — dearbhaich gu h-ionadailtro 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.

Faigh do chead

Fosgailte am portal oifigeil · gesetze-im-internet.de

Seòrsa
Not applicable - recreational spearfishing is prohibited and cannot be licensed. A general angling permit (Fischereischein plus Erlaubnisschein) does not authorise spearfishing.
Mar a gheibhear e
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.
Ùghdarras
Competent state (Land) fisheries authority
Portal ceadachais oifigeil · gesetze-im-internet.de

Uidheam & dòigh

Riaghailtean uidheamachd

Dè an uidheam a tha ceadaichte, mar a ghabhas a cleachdadh, agus na cumhaichean ceangailte.

Gunna-sleaghaToirmisgte

Cuingeachaidhean

  • 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.

Dè ghabhas tu

Crìochan glacaidh & gnèithean dìonta

Cuòtathan làitheil, meudachdan as lugha, agus gnèithean nach gabhar a-chaoidh.

Crìoch làitheil

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.

Cò a dh'fhaodar iasgach

Luchd-tadhail & luchd-còmhnaidh

Mar a tha na riaghailtean eadar-dhealaichte airson luchd-tadhail cèin agus luchd-còmhnaidh ionadail.

Luchd-tadhail cèin

Chan eil ceadaichte

Cuingeachaidhean

  • 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.

Luchd-còmhnaidh

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.

Càite air a' chladach

Sgìrean ceadaichte & toirmisgte

Sgìrean ainmichte a tha fosgailte no dùinte airson slighe-biasd. Faic an dealbh-iomlan air a' mhapa eadar-ghnìomhach.

Sgìrean toirmisgte

  • 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
Seall air mapa

Suidheachaidhean air an uisge

Suidheachaidhean beò

Snapshot mara agus sìde beò faisg air àite iomraidh cladaich ann an Germany, o Open-Meteo. Bidh suidheachaidhean ag atharrachadh air feadh a' chladaich — làimhsich mar chomharra.

Mara & sìde beò faisg air Wadden Sea National Parks (Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches / Niedersächsisches / Hamburgisches Wattenmeer).

Suidheachaidhean

Cò ri fhaighneachd

Ùghdarrasan

Na buidhnean oifigeil a tha an urra ri iasgach agus ceadachadh.

  • 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

On a thàinig seo

Stòrasan

Bidh gach tagradh air an duilleag seo a' dol air ais gu aon de na h-iomraidhean sin.

  1. [01]

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

    Oifigeil
    gesetze-im-internet.deAir faighinn Ògm 15
  2. [02]

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

    Oifigeil
    gesetze-im-internet.deAir faighinn Ògm 15
  3. [03]

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

    Oifigeil
    schleswig-holstein.deAir faighinn Ògm 15
  4. [04]

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

    Oifigeil
    umwelt-online.deAir faighinn Ògm 15
  5. [05]

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

    Oifigeil
    faolex.fao.orgAir faighinn Ògm 15
  6. [06]

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

    Dàrna
    bussgeldkatalog.netAir faighinn Ògm 15
  7. [07]

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

    Dàrna
    apnoetauchen-lernen.deAir faighinn Ògm 15
  8. [08]

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

    community
    harpune.infoAir faighinn Ògm 15

Notaichean rannsachaidh

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.

Fuirich ùrachadhInntrigeadh tràth

Thoir fios dhomh nuair a dh'atharraicheas riaghailtean Germany

Cuiridh sinn post-d thugad nuair a thèid ràithean no riaghailtean Germany ùrachadh nar cruinneachadh dàta.

Thoir fios dhomh mu

Gun spama — rabhaidhean atharrachaidh a-mhàin. Dì-chlàraich uair sam bith. Chan eil sinn a-riamh a' reic do phost-d.