Getting a fishing licence in 2026: cost, exam and processing time

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

In 2026, getting a fishing licence costs PLN 10 in official fees for the document itself (price lists range from PLN 10 to PLN 15), plus around PLN 30 for an exam before an angling club committee. The licence is valid indefinitely, so you only pay for it once. The right to fish in specific waters is paid for separately each year.

A fishing licence is one of the cheapest documents you can obtain from a public authority, but the process can be confusing the first time: you take the exam at an angling club, the county authority issues the document, and you also need a separate permit to fish. Below, we break down the cost and procedure step by step.

How much does it cost to get a fishing licence?

Getting a fishing licence costs PLN 10 in official fees for the document, plus around PLN 30 for the exam. These figures come from 4 sources collected by indekscen.pl, including information from public authorities and the angling association. The highest amount in the sources, PLN 15, appears when stamps are also included in the fee. Details and quotations are available at obtaining a fishing licence.

Both fees are one-off payments. The licence has no expiry date, so you obtain it once in your lifetime unless it is lost or damaged.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Here is the full list of costs before you can legally cast your line for the first time:

Item	Cost	How often
Fishing licence exam	around PLN 30	once
Licence issued by the authority	PLN 10	once
Membership fee and fishing permit	depends on the district and waters, we do not have these rates in the index	every year

We do not collect membership fees or fishing permit charges because each angling association district and fishery owner sets its own rates. Check them on the website of the district where you want to fish.

What do you need to do to get a fishing licence?

To get a fishing licence, you must pass an exam before an angling club committee, then apply to the county authority or city council and pay PLN 10. Follow these steps:

1. Register for the exam at the nearest club of the Polish Angling Association or another association that conducts exams. Dates are usually listed on the district website.
2. Study the regulations. Questions cover recreational fishing regulations, minimum fish sizes, closed seasons and nature conservation. Districts publish study materials.
3. Pass the exam and pay around PLN 30. You will receive a certificate confirming that you passed.
4. Submit your application to the county authority or the council of a city with county rights that covers your place of residence. Attach the certificate and proof of payment of PLN 10.
5. Collect your licence and purchase a permit for the waters where you want to fish.

What is the fishing licence exam like?

The fishing licence exam is usually a short test on the regulations before an angling club committee, sometimes followed by a conversation with an examiner, and costs around PLN 30. The committee checks your knowledge of the rules, not your fishing skills: no one will ask you to cast a line. Questions most often cover:

• minimum sizes, meaning the minimum length of a fish that may be kept,
• closed seasons, during which a particular species may not be caught,
• daily limits and the number of rods that may be used at the same time,
• rules of conduct by the water: distances from other anglers, fishing from a boat and nature conservation.

Districts usually provide study materials free of charge on their websites. After passing the exam, you receive a certificate to take to the authority. If you fail, you can retake the exam on another date, usually after paying the fee again.

How long does it take to get a fishing licence?

Getting a fishing licence usually takes from a few days to a few weeks, with the longest wait generally being for the exam. Angling clubs hold exams on scheduled dates, sometimes several times a month in larger cities and less often in smaller ones. The authority often issues the licence immediately or within a few days, although administrative procedure rules allow up to one month. Queues can be longer in spring before the season, so it is worth taking the exam in winter.

Can you get a fishing licence online?

You can complete part of the fishing licence process online: many county authorities accept applications through ePUAP, and the PLN 10 fee can be paid by bank transfer. Some angling association districts also conduct exams remotely, while others only hold them in person, so check the rules in your district. Depending on the authority, you will usually either need to collect the licence in person or receive it by post.

How much does a fishing licence cost for a 14-year-old?

A fishing licence for a 14-year-old costs the same as for an adult: an official fee of PLN 10 and around PLN 30 for the exam. Some districts offer reduced membership fees for young people, but this is decided by the district, not the public authority. An application from a minor is usually signed by a parent or guardian, while the teenager takes the exam independently.

Children under the age of 14 may fish without a fishing licence if supervised by an adult who holds one. Many families therefore only obtain a licence for a child when the child wants to fish independently.

Who is exempt from needing a fishing licence?

The main exemption from the requirement to hold a fishing licence applies to children under 14 who fish under the supervision of an adult licence holder. Under the Inland Fisheries Act, a licence is also not required when fishing in ponds and fisheries used for fish farming, provided the owner agrees, or for foreign nationals staying temporarily in Poland who have a permit from the holder of the fishing rights. This also applies to Ukrainian citizens staying temporarily in Poland, but for longer stays it is worth asking the county authority whether the exemption still applies. Regulations change, so check the current rules with the owner of the waters before going fishing.

What is the penalty for fishing without a licence?

Fishing without a licence when one is required is an offence for which the State Fisheries Guard, Community Fisheries Guard or police may issue a fine. Inspectors usually check the licence, fishing permit and proof of identity. We do not provide fine amounts because they are not service price lists and depend on the circumstances. Given that the licence costs PLN 10 and the exam around PLN 30, risking a fine is simply not worthwhile.

How can you avoid overpaying and wasting time?

• Pay only the official fee and exam fee. You do not need an intermediary to get a licence, and the authority charges PLN 10 for the document itself.
• Check the authority’s bank account number. At some authorities, the fishing licence fee is not a stamp duty and must be paid into a different account.
• Take the exam outside the season. There are fewer dates in winter, but also fewer applicants.
• Do not confuse the licence with a permit. Your licence is valid for life, while a fishing permit is purchased every year or for specific days.
• Keep your licence with you by the water, together with your permit and identity document.

„Wysokość opłaty za wydanie karty wynosi 10 zł, którą należy uiścić w kasie Starostwa.”

pzw.pl, source

„10 zł – za wydanie karty wędkarskiej (nie jest to opłata skarbowa).”

Urząd m.st. Warszawy, source

„Dokonanie opłaty urzędowej – zazwyczaj wynosi ona 10 złotych.”

arena.pl, source

„Do tego trzeba doliczyć około 15 złotych opłaty urzędowej oraz za znaczki.”

Decathlon, source

You can find other charges for documents and official matters in the law and public authorities category. If you are also obtaining other documents, read how much an ID photo costs.

The amounts in this article come from public information published by authorities, the angling association and articles. Each entry on the service page includes a source, date and verbatim quotation. We provide only a general summary of the rules on fishing licence exemptions: if you are unsure, ask the county authority or the relevant angling association district.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fishing licence cost in 2026?

Za wydanie karty wędkarskiej urząd pobiera opłatę PLN 10, a egzamin kosztuje około PLN 30. Obie opłaty płaci się jednorazowo.

Does a fishing licence need to be renewed?

Nie, karta wędkarska jest ważna bezterminowo i nie ma daty ważności. Co roku opłaca się natomiast zezwolenie na łowienie w wodach danego okręgu albo właściciela łowiska.

Where do you pay the fishing licence fee?

Opłatę PLN 10 wpłaca się w kasie albo na konto starostwa powiatowego lub urzędu miasta, który wydaje kartę. W części urzędów to opłata na rachunek urzędu, a nie opłata skarbowa, więc warto sprawdzić numer konta na stronie urzędu.

How much does it cost to get a fishing licence for a year?

Karty wędkarskiej nie wyrabia się na rok, bo jest bezterminowa i kosztuje jednorazowo PLN 10. Na rok opłaca się składkę i zezwolenie na połów, których stawki ustalają okręgi związku wędkarskiego i właściciele wód.

Do you have to retake the exam if you lose your fishing licence?

Nie, po zgubieniu karty wędkarskiej urząd, który ją wydał, wydaje nową na wniosek, bez ponownego egzaminu. O wysokość opłaty zapytaj w tym urzędzie.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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