Fishing in Croatia

23.02.2018

For recreational and sport fishing in Croatia, obtaining a fishing license is mandatory. After numerous complaints from EU members, a law was enacted to equalize the prices of licenses for domestic and foreign anglers.

In Croatia, a fishing license is required for fishing from the shore or at sea – from a vessel. Only individuals under the age of 14 may fish without a license. Licenses can be purchased from authorized sellers or online in electronic form.

Restrictions for annual licenses
An annual license is valid from January 1st to December 31st for the year it is issued. It can only be purchased from December 1st of the previous year to March 1st of the current year.

Fishing areas

Sport and recreational fishing is allowed throughout the fishing sea of the Republic of Croatia, except where prohibited.

Fishing is prohibited in the following areas:

  • within 200 meters of fish farms and 100 meters of shellfish farms
  • in ports, except where permitted by regulation
  • in special areas:
    • river mouths of Dragonja, Mirna, Rječina, Zrmanja, Jadro, Žrnovnica, Cetina, Neretva, Rijeka Dubrovačka,
    • in the Lim and Fažana channels,
    • in Medulin Bay and Klimno Bay on the island of Krk
  • and parts of fishing areas within protected zones where fishing is specifically regulated
  • The areas of national parks Brijuni, Kornati, Krka, and Mljet, as well as reserves, are not fishing zones. Fishing within these areas is regulated by special regulations of the managing authorities.

When purchasing a fishing license online, the fishing area is selected only for statistical purposes, while the license is valid for the entire fishing area.

Types of fishing licenses

For recreational and sport fishing, different types of licenses are available, varying in duration. The following licenses can be purchased:

  1. Fishing license for 1 day
  2. Fishing license for 3 days
  3. Fishing license for 7 days
  4. Fishing license for 1 year

Restrictions

  • Sport fishing licenses are only valid with a membership card from a fishing association, which can be issued in Croatia or another country. It is valid for the year purchased (January 1st – December 31st).
  • Licenses for fishing with a longline are only valid with an annual sport or recreational fishing license.
  • Daily and multi-day sport fishing licenses for individuals under 18 years old are not valid for those younger than 16.
  • Recreational fishing licenses do not cover fishing with a speargun.
  • Recreational and sport fishing for tuna is only permitted between June 16th and October 14th.
  • Fishing for swordfish on a catch-and-release basis is only allowed between July 1st and December 31st.

License prices:

Sport Fishing Recreational Fishing
Daily licenses
Daily – 1 day 60 HRK 60 HRK
Daily – 3 days 150 HRK 150 HRK
Daily – 7 days 300 HRK 300 HRK
Daily – 1 day (big fish) 120 HRK –
Daily – 3 days (big fish) 300 HRK –
Daily – 7 days (big fish) 600 HRK –
Annual licenses *
Annual (ages 18 to 65) 350 HRK 500 HRK
Annual (under 18) 10 HRK 100 HRK
Annual (retirees over 65) 60 HRK 100 HRK
Special licenses **
Longline license 200 HRK 200 HRK
Trap license 200 HRK 200 HRK
Large spear use 100 HRK 100 HRK
Special big fish license 700 HRK –

* Annual licenses are valid for the calendar year in which they are purchased. Sales are available from December 1st of the previous year to March 1st of the current year.

** Special licenses are valid for the calendar year of purchase. Sales are available from December 1st until the end of the calendar year.

Allowed equipment for recreational fishing:

Types of fishing licenses
Fishing period:

  • Fishing license for 1 day
  • Fishing license for 3 days
  • Fishing license for 7 days
  • Annual fishing license