How to pay for a fishing license in the Republic of Cyprus
For recreational fishing in freshwater bodies in the Republic of Cyprus, a license from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research is required. The application is submitted online on the licence.dfmr.moa.gov.cy website; after submission, the applicant receives an SMS and e-mail, and review usually takes up to 2 working days. All such licenses are valid until 31 December of the year of issue.
Payment is made after the application is approved: you can proceed to payment through the government service Apply and pay for an amateur fishing license or through JCCsmart. You cannot engage in the relevant type of fishing without the license being actually issued.
- When a fishing license is needed
- How to apply
- How to pay for the license
- License fees
- Validity period and renewal
- What to remember
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Research contacts
- Glossary
- Frequently asked questions
When a fishing license is needed
A license is not required for all fishing, but only for certain types of recreational and special fishing. Before traveling, it is important to choose the correct type of license: the conditions for freshwater bodies, spearfishing, and fishing from a vessel differ.
| Type of fishing | Is a license required? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater fishing in reservoirs | Yes | The license is issued through the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research |
| Spearfishing | Yes | A separate license category is required |
| Recreational fishing from a vessel | Yes | When applying, you need to provide the vessel or watercraft details |
| Fishing using traps | Yes | The relevant category is selected in the application |
| Ordinary sea fishing from the shore | Usually no | A license is not required if special fishing methods are not used |
How to apply
The application for a recreational fishing license is submitted through the official website licence.dfmr.moa.gov.cy. If you have CY Login, some personal data may be filled in automatically. If you do not have CY Login, you can proceed to the form without it, but you will need to upload a copy of your document.
How to do it
- Open the licence.dfmr.moa.gov.cy website.
- Choose to sign in through CY Login or proceed to the form without CY Login.
- Select the license type: with a vessel, spear gun, waterdams or fish traps.
- If you choose freshwater fishing in reservoirs, mark all reservoirs or a specific water body.
- Enter your first name, last name, date of birth, phone number, e-mail, ID or passport number, and address.
- Upload a copy of your ID or passport if the system requests it.
- If the application is related to a vessel, complete the Vessel Declaration section.
- Check the details, accept the terms, and submit the application.
- Wait for an SMS and e-mail from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research.
If the applicant already had an active recreational license since 2022, the form can use the ID or passport and date of birth to automatically fill in part of the data.
How to pay for the license
Payment is made not before submitting the application, but after it has been reviewed and approved by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research. After approval, you can proceed to payment through the government service Apply and pay for an amateur fishing license or through the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research page on JCCsmart.
- Wait for notification that the application has been approved.
- Go to the license payment page.
- Enter the details requested by the system to find the approved application.
- Check the license type, amount, and validity period.
- Pay by bank card.
- Save the payment confirmation and the license itself.
You must have the license with you while fishing. If an inspector asks to see the document, a payment confirmation alone may not be enough: it is important that the license has been actually issued.
License fees
The amount depends on the selected category. Before paying, check the final amount in the application form or on the payment page, as the tariff is displayed in the system before the payment is confirmed.
| Category | Price | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater fishing in all reservoirs | 35 EUR | Gives access to all permitted reservoirs |
| Freshwater fishing in one water body | 17 EUR | A specific water body is selected |
| Spearfishing | 35 EUR | Issued under a separate category |
| Recreational fishing from a vessel | 35 EUR | Vessel details may need to be provided |
Validity period and renewal
The fishing license is not valid for 12 months from the payment date, but until 31 December of the year in which it is issued. For example, if the license is issued in July, it still expires on 31 December of the same year.
To renew it for the next year, you need to go through the procedure again via the online system. If you had an active license since 2022, the website may automatically fill in part of the data using your ID or passport and date of birth.
What to remember
For freshwater fishing, separate conditions apply regarding permitted reservoirs, fish species, sizes, daily limits, and closed seasons. Before traveling, it is worth checking the license conditions and the current announcements of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, especially if you are going to a specific reservoir.
- you cannot start fishing before the license has actually been issued;
- the license is valid only until 31 December of the year of issue;
- the license type must correspond to the fishing method;
- for some water bodies, seasonal restrictions may apply;
- violating the license conditions may result in a fine and other penalties;
- for spearfishing and fishing from a vessel, additional safety rules and restrictions apply.
Department of Fisheries and Marine Research contacts
For questions about the application, payment, lost licenses, or data errors, you can contact the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research.
- Licensing website: licence.dfmr.moa.gov.cy
- Phone: +357 22 807818
- Phone: +357 22 807829
- E-mail: licenses@dfmr.moa.gov.cy
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Research website: gov.cy/moa-dfmr
Glossary
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Research — the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Republic of Cyprus.
- Amateur Fishing Licence — recreational fishing license.
- CY Login — the Republic of Cyprus government authentication system for access to electronic services.
- Waterdams — reservoirs where permitted fishing is regulated by separate conditions.
- Spear Gun — a license category for spearfishing.
- JCCsmart — a payment platform through which you can pay for government and other services in the Republic of Cyprus.
Frequently asked questions
Can the fishing license be paid for immediately?
No. First you need to submit the application and receive approval from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research. Only then does payment become available.
How long does it take to review the application?
The official form states that the application is reviewed within 2 working days. After submission, the applicant receives an SMS and e-mail.
Until what date is the license valid?
All licenses expire on 31 December of the year of issue, regardless of the date of registration.
Is a license required for sea fishing from the shore?
For ordinary sea fishing from the shore, a license is usually not required. A license is needed for freshwater fishing, spearfishing, fishing from a vessel, and special fishing methods.
What should I do if the license is lost?
Contact the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research by phone +357 22 807818, +357 22 807829, or by e-mail licenses@dfmr.moa.gov.cy.
Can I go fishing if the application has already been submitted but the license has not yet been issued?
No. You cannot engage in the relevant type of fishing until the license has actually been issued.
Can I apply for a license without CY Login?
Yes. The licensing website has an option to apply without CY Login, but in this case you will usually need to upload a copy of your ID or passport.
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