Hunting licence: costs and requirements

Short answer

Anyone who hunts must carry a hunting licence in their own name. The authority at your place of residence issues it after you pass the hunter exam. Fees for the exam and the licence are set by your federal state.

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What you need

The hunter exam has a written part, an oral-practical part and a shooting test. A fail in the shooting test is not offset by other parts. The states may require theoretical and practical training before the exam.

You need adequate hunting liability insurance under the Federal Hunting Act. Without that proof the competent authority refuses the hunting licence. The authority also checks your reliability and your physical fitness.

Anyone aged 16 but not yet 18 receives only a youth hunting licence. You then hunt only together with an experienced supervisor. A youth licence does not allow you to join driven or company hunts.

Validity and costs

An annual licence lasts for up to three hunting years, a day licence for fourteen consecutive days. After it is issued the licence is valid throughout Germany. You carry it while hunting and show it on request.

Course, exam and licence costs differ by federal state. Ask the competent authority at your place of residence for the current fees. You will find an overview on the hunting licence topic page.