🏛 Generalitat (Gencat)🎣 River + sea in one✔ Free for 65+, minors
Fishing license · Catalonia · 2026
Fishing License in Catalonia
The recreational fishing license from the Generalitat (Gencat). Here you can find the price by categories, who gets it for free, and how to obtain it online. It is free for retirees, seniors over 65, minors, and those with disabilities.
River + surface seaone license covers both
Free for 65+, retirees, minorsand disabilities ≥33%
🎣🌊 In Catalonia, one recreational license is valid for both river (continental) and surface sea fishing. The underwater fishing license is separate (further down). The controlled fishing zone (ZPC) permit is also separate.
Calculate your fishing license in Catalonia
Tell us your situation, whether you want a category with or without catch, and the duration.
Price of the recreational fishing license in Catalonia 2026
The Generalitat organizes the license by categories and duration, distinguishing between with catch (you can keep the catch) and without catch (catch and release, cheaper):
Duration
With catch
Without catch
1 year
27.10 €
19.80 €
2 years
43.75 €
36.45 €
3 years
62.45 €
53.10 €
4 years
73.90 €
68.70 €
Short (1 day / 15 days)
3.15 € / 11.50 €
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65+ · retirees · minors · disabilities
Free
Free
One license is valid for river and surface sea. The underwater license has its own fee (below).
Who gets the fishing license for free in Catalonia?
The Generalitat offers free categories (fee 0 €) for:
Seniors over 65 and retirees (class RJ): free, with retirement document.
Minors (class RM): free, with legal guardian authorization and their ID.
Recognized disability ≥33% (class RD): free, with certificate.
How to obtain the fishing license in Catalonia online
It is done online at Gencat (the Generalitat's headquarters), with digital identification. The license (or "llicència"/"permís" de pesca) is downloaded immediately.
Have your ID, NIE, or passport ready and check above if it is free for you.
Go to the recreational fishing procedure at Gencat and identify yourself.
Select category (with/without catch), duration, and pay the fee (0 € if exempt).
Download or print your license; take it with you when you fish.
Renewing is the same procedure at Gencat. Need your license? You can check it, print it, or request a duplicate/reprint from your area at the headquarters. Exempt individuals (65+, retirees, minors, disabilities) do not pay a fee when renewing.
Underwater fishing license in Catalonia
Underwater fishing is a separate license from the surface recreational license:
Fee: 20.15 € (1 calendar year).
Medical certificate of fitness for diving (with the doctor's registration number).
To fish in a Controlled Fishing Zone (ZPC) —the "cotos" in Catalonia— you need, in addition to the license, a ZPC permit separately, per day and with limited spots. This is the number one confusion: the license allows you to fish, but the coto is an additional permit.
Is it valid in other communities?
No: the Catalan license is valid only in Catalonia. And Catalonia is NOT part of the inter-autonomous agreement 2026, so that license (25 €, 10 communities) does not include Catalonia. To fish in another community, you will need their license. See which communities are included.
Where to fish in Catalonia
From the Pyrenees to the Ebro and the Costa Brava. Some of the best spots:
Ebro Reservoirs (Mequinenza, Riba-roja)Record catfish and carp; anglers come from all over Europe.
Segre and Noguera Pallaresa RiversTrout in the Pyrenees.
Ter and Muga RiversTrout and barbel.
Costa Brava and coastlineSea fishing from the shore.
What can be caught in Catalonia
Catfish and carpThe Ebro (Mequinenza) is world-renowned.
TroutRivers of the Pyrenees; with or without catch.
Black bass and pikeReservoirs.
Sea speciesFrom the shore, with the same license.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the fishing license cost in Catalonia?
The 1-year recreational license costs 27.10 € (with catch) or 19.80 € (without catch, catch and release); there are options for 2, 3, and 4 years, and for short durations (1 day 3.15 €, 15 days 11.50 €). It is free for seniors over 65, retirees, minors, and disabilities ≥33%. The underwater license costs 20.15 €.
Does one license cover both river and sea?
Yes. In Catalonia, the recreational fishing license covers both continental (river) and surface sea fishing. Underwater fishing is a separate license.
Is it free for retirees and seniors over 65?
Yes. There are free categories (fee 0 €) for seniors over 65 and retirees (RJ), minors (RM), and individuals with disabilities ≥33% (RD).
What is the "without catch" category?
It is the catch and release license (you do not keep the fish); it is slightly cheaper. The "with catch" allows you to keep the catch according to regulations.
Do I need a permit for the controlled fishing zones (ZPC)?
Yes. In addition to the license, Controlled Fishing Zones require a separate permit, per day and with limited spots.
Is my Catalan license valid in other communities?
No. It is valid only in Catalonia, which is also not part of the inter-autonomous agreement. For other communities, you need their license.