Every adventure sport has its defining characteristics, and hunting is no exception. It’s an activity that requires special skills as well as specific requirements, such as obtaining a licence.
As with other types of licences, such as fishing, hunting adheres to rules set by the Autonomous Communities. These determine fees, duration, permitted territories, and other specific requirements, as well as the necessary documentation to apply.
It’s crucial to obtain this document if you wish to hunt, as failure to do so may result in penalties from authorities and immediate prohibition of the activity. Hunting licences can be of several types, the most common being:
- Without firearms: using nets, dogs...
- With firearms: ordinary (handheld hunting) or with additional fees (partridge driving, big game hunting)
- Falconry
- Hunting with hounds
- Partridge with decoy
Regarding the documentation required to begin the licence application process, your National Identity Document (DNI) is, unsurprisingly, essential. Below, we outline the requirements demanded by the most popular Autonomous Communities among hunters:
- Extremadura. You must provide a certificate of seniority issued by the relevant administration proving you held two hunting licences in the two years prior to 1997. Alternatively, a certificate proving you’ve passed a course or exam in regions such as the Basque Country, Asturias, La Rioja, Andalusia, or Navarra is required.
- Castilla - La Mancha. The minimum age is 14, but minors must provide parental or guardian authorisation. A valid hunter’s civil liability insurance is mandatory.
- La Rioja. First-time applicants must pass a theoretical-practical exam, held twice a year. Existing licence holders must submit a photocopy of their licence along with their ID.
- Basque Country. Applicants must provide proof of eligibility to practice this sport, a photocopy of their ID, and a photocopy of the mandatory hunter’s insurance.
- Castilla y León. First-time applicants must be qualified. Existing hunters in this region need not worry about renewal—they’ll receive a pre-filled application at home and only need to pay the corresponding fee. Mandatory hunter’s insurance is required.
- Navarra. New applicants must submit a photocopy of their ID and a certificate proving they’ve passed the relevant exam in another autonomous community. For renewals, only a photocopy of the ID and mandatory insurance are needed.
- Madrid. Applicants must provide the relevant documentation (ID copy and mandatory civil liability insurance).
Last year, the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Andalusia, Castilla y León, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia signed an agreement exempting hunters and anglers from needing separate licences for each region.
