Fishing licenses from other federal states are also valid in Schleswig-Holstein as long as you do not have your main residence in Schleswig-Holstein (e.g. on vacation). If you move your main residence to Schleswig-Holstein, you must apply for a Schleswig-Holstein fishing license for angling or fishing.
However, this does not apply if your fishing license has the same security features as a current Schleswig-Holstein fishing license. In this case, you do not need to apply for a new license and your fishing license remains valid indefinitely.
Even if you have already paid a fishing tax in your home federal state, you must pay the fishing tax again in Schleswig-Holstein if you wish to fish here.
Children who have not yet reached the age of 14 and do not have a fishing license can fish if they are supervised by an adult with a fishing license.
In Schleswig-Holstein, there are exemptions from the fishing license requirement in accordance with the State Ordinance on the Implementation of the Fishing Act. The most frequently used exemption option is the so-called "vacation fishing license". Anyone who wants to fish or go fishing can apply for this. It is valid for 28 days and can be extended once per calendar year for a further 28 days.
If you want to fish at commercial fishing ponds or on commercial fishing boats, you do not need a fishing license. The prerequisite for this is that the commercial provider ensures that all animal welfare and fishing regulations are complied with through supervision. However, you must still pay the fishing tax in these cases.
If you have a physical or mental impairment and are therefore unable to take a fishing license test, you can apply to the higher fishing authority for a fishing license with accompaniment. This entitles you to fish in the company of an adult fishing license holder.
A fishing license is not required for private small water bodies, pond farms and fish production facilities.
Compliance with the fishing license requirement is monitored by the police and the fisheries inspectorate.
If you wish to fish in inland waters and in certain coastal waters that are subject to an independent fishing right (Eider, Schlei, Lübeck Bay), you also require a permit under private law from the respective fishing right holder. In the other coastal waters of Schleswig-Holstein, however, you may fish freely if you have a fishing license or vacation fishing license.
