Switzerland
SaNa, Permits & Free Fishing
Fishing in Switzerland 2026
Fishing is governed by the 26 cantons — the federal level only sets the framework. Permits longer than one month require the SaNa certificate of competence; tourists fish on short permits up to 1 month without any SaNa, and on many large lakes shore fishing is permit-free.
26 cantonsSaNa since 2009As of July 2026
English fact sheet — the full guides are available on the German page.
01
At a glance
- System
- Fishing is governed by the 26 cantons (permit or lease/beat system); the federal level sets the framework (fisheries act, animal welfare)
- SaNa certificate
- SaNa certificate of competence required for permits longer than 1 month (since 2009); course min. 5 h (theory also online), digital assessment, one-off ~CHF 100–150, valid lifelong across Switzerland
- Tourists & short permits
- Short permits up to 1 month WITHOUT SaNa (day ~CHF 20–36, week ~CHF 60–120); buy online/via app in most cantons
- Free-fishing right
- On many large lakes (Zurich, Constance, Lucerne, Geneva a.o.) permit-free from shore: 1 rod, 1 bait, single barbless hook, natural bait only
- German fishing license
- The German fishing exam can be exchanged for a SaNa card on application (CHF 30/40)
- Animal-welfare rules
- Stricter than DE/AT: barbed hooks generally banned (exceptions only with SaNa on lakes), live baitfish banned, deliberate catch & release banned, catch-log duties
- Annual permits
- per canton ~CHF 80–350; non-resident surcharges common (SG double, GE +50%)
- Minimum age
- set by cantons; SaNa course recommended from ~10, own permits often from 12
02
Official sources & associations
All information without guarantee — compiled from official sources (FOEN, cantons, anglerausbildung.ch), as of July 2026. Prices change yearly; the cantonal fishing administrations are authoritative.
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