Fishing in Austria: Fishing Permits by Province in 2026

Austria does not have a single nationwide fishing permit. All nine provinces set their own rules, so requirements differ between Vienna, Tyrol, Burgenland and the other provinces.

In most cases, you need both an official fishing permit and permission from the operator of the specific water. The documents must be available during fishing and shown to a Fischereiaufseher, Fischereischutzorgan or the police if requested.

Which documents are required?

In most provinces, you need two documents:

1. Official fishing entitlement: an annual fishing card (Jahresfischerkarte, Fischerkarte) or a short-term guest card (Fischergastkarte, Gastfischerkarte).
2. Permission for the water: issued by the holder or operator of the fishing rights (Bewirtschafter, Fischereiausübungsberechtigter). This is called a Lizenz or Erlaubnisschein.

A fishing card alone does not normally authorise fishing. The exception is when you are yourself the holder of the fishing rights.

Several provinces, including Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria and Burgenland, also require an official photo ID together with a guest card.

Special rule in Vorarlberg

In Vorarlberg, the water operator’s written permission is the primary document. If it is valid for more than two weeks, you also need a fishing identity card (Fischerausweis).

Who issues the annual fishing card?

• Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat: Burgenland, Styria, Carinthia and Tyrol.
• Provincial fishing association or commission: Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg and Vorarlberg.

Where the district authority is responsible, you generally apply to the office for your main residence (Hauptwohnsitz). If you do not live in the province, Carinthia and Styria generally use the office where you submit the application. In Tyrol, responsibility lies with the office in the area where you mainly intend to fish.

Exam or training: proving your knowledge

When obtaining your first annual fishing card, you must prove your professional suitability. The requirements are:

• Carinthia: at least eight hours of instruction (Unterweisung), without an exam.
• Tyrol: at least a two-day course followed by a written multiple-choice exam.
• Vienna: a two-hour written multiple-choice test covering five topics, with ten questions per topic.
• Salzburg: a written exam, which can be taken from the 11th birthday.
• Lower Austria: generally proof of a fishing course organised by the provincial association.
• Styria, Upper Austria, Vorarlberg and Burgenland: an exam, or a written exam after instruction.

Equivalent training completed in another Austrian province can be accepted. Qualifications obtained in an EU member state are also accepted in Burgenland and Vorarlberg.

Minimum age for a fishing card

• Carinthia: minimum 10 years; children between 7 and 10 may fish without a card with permission.
• Upper Austria: minimum 12 years; children under 12 may fish with an accompanying person.
• Salzburg: minimum 12 years; children under 15 may fish without a card with an adult accompanying them.
• Vienna: minimum 14 years; children between 6 and 14 may fish without a card.
• Lower Austria: minimum 14 years; children under 14 may fish with permission and an adult present.
• Styria: minimum 14 years; children under 14 must be accompanied by an authorised angler.
• Tyrol: minimum 14 years; children under 14 may fish together with the supervising person.
• Burgenland: minimum 14 years.

How long is a guest card valid?

If you only want to fish for a limited period, a guest card may be suitable. It is generally issued by the water operator.

• Salzburg: 24 hours, 1 week or 2 weeks; from 12 years of age. At a fishing lake, only a 24-hour card is available.
• Tyrol: 14 days; only day permits can be obtained in addition.
• Upper Austria: 3 weeks; from 12 years of age, with a maximum of two per year.
• Carinthia: 1 or 4 weeks; valid throughout the province.
• Styria: 4 weeks; valid for specified waters.
• Vienna: 30 days; valid for the waters stated on the card.
• Lower Austria: 30 days per calendar year.
• Burgenland: 2 months; only with a fishing card from another province or an EU fishing card.

Maximum fines for violations

Fines may apply if documents are missing, during a closed season (Schonzeit), when size limits (Brittelmaß) are violated, or when prohibited methods are used, such as live vertebrate bait, artificial light sources or explosives.

• Lower Austria: 7000 euros.
• Upper Austria: 2200 or 10 000 euros.
• Salzburg: 5000 euros.
• Tyrol: 5000 euros; fishing without a card at the waterside: 2000 euros.
• Vorarlberg: 5000 euros; closed season or size violations: 1000 euros.
• Carinthia: 4000 euros; fishing without a card at the waterside: 2000 euros.
• Burgenland: 3600 euros or six weeks’ imprisonment.
• Styria: 2200 euros.
• Vienna: 1400 euros, or 2100 euros in aggravating circumstances.

Undersized fish or fish caught during a closed season generally have to be carefully released back into the water. In Burgenland, invasive non-native species must not be released.

Frequently asked questions

Is a foreign fishing card sufficient in Austria?

The answer depends on the province. In Lower Austria, for example, an official foreign fishing identity card may be accepted if reciprocity exists, the holder’s residence is abroad and the current-year fees have been paid. Documents not written in German require a certified translation.

Do you need a fishing card at a fishing lake?

In Tyrol, fishing lakes (Angelteiche) are exempt from the fishing-card requirement. Salzburg has a separate 24-hour guest card for fishing lakes.

How is an annual card renewed?

In Tyrol, it is renewed automatically if you pay the membership fee to the Tyrolean association on time. In Burgenland, the card remains valid if the annual fee is paid by 1 March each year.

Can a fishing card be transferred to someone else?

No. In Vienna, Lower Austria and Styria, it is expressly issued in the holder’s name and cannot be transferred.

Practical steps before you fish

1. Identify the province and the specific water where you want to fish.
2. Check whether you need an annual fishing card, a guest card or a Fischerausweis.
3. Complete the required training or exam if you are applying for your first annual card.
4. Contact the responsible Bezirkshauptmannschaft, Magistrat, provincial fishing association or water operator.
5. Obtain the separate Lizenz or Erlaubnisschein for the water.
6. Carry all documents and an official photo ID while fishing.
7. Check the closed seasons, size limits and permitted fishing methods before casting.

This information is based on sources available online and does not constitute legal advice. Use it at your own risk. For professional advice, contact a lawyer or other relevant specialist.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at