Recreational fishing fees in Bulgaria will rise sharply from 2026, with the annual permit set to double from 25 leva to 50 leva, equivalent to about €25.50. The increase is part of a broader revision of administrative charges levied by the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Under the updated tariff, all fees collected by the agency will increase by between 50 and 100 percent. Officials argue the adjustments are long overdue and necessary to ensure the sustainable management of the country’s water resources and fisheries.
The agency’s director, Dr. Nikolay Georgiev, said the reform followed nearly two years of preparatory work and coordination with key state institutions. These included the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and the Council of Ministers, he noted.
According to Dr. Georgiev, the draft tariff changes were also subject to public consultation. He said no formal objections were received from professional organizations, public institutions or individual citizens during that period.
One of the key arguments behind the increase, he explained, is that recreational fishing permits have not been revised since 2006. During that time, costs related to monitoring, enforcement and administration have risen substantially, while revenues remained static.
Dr. Georgiev stressed that permit fees from recreational anglers generate the largest share of the agency’s own income. These funds are used to finance inspections, conservation activities and the maintenance of equipment across Bulgaria’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
To illustrate the imbalance, he pointed to market prices for fish. A kilogram of carp currently sells for around 10 leva. Catching a single carp weighing about two and a half kilograms effectively covers the entire annual permit fee, he said.
“This means anglers have been accessing a public resource at an extremely low cost for many years,” Dr. Georgiev explained, arguing that the revised tariff better reflects the value of the resource and the cost of protecting it.
The fee increase coincides with a significant expansion of the agency’s enforcement powers. Inspectors are now authorized to oversee fishing activities and water bodies nationwide with enhanced operational capacity.
The agency has equipped inspection teams with off-road vehicles, drones, body cameras and fast patrol boats. All official vehicles have also been fitted with sound and light signaling systems similar to those used by police.
These upgrades allow inspectors to operate under a special traffic regime on national roads when performing official duties. They may use stoplights, bypass certain traffic restrictions and move rapidly to areas where violations are suspected.
Inspectors are also authorized to stop and check vehicles if there is reasonable suspicion of illegal fishing or the unlawful transport of fish and fishing gear. The powers extend to both inland and coastal regions.
In cases involving aggression or refusal to comply, officers may detain individuals and transport them to the nearest regional police station. Officials say these measures are intended to ensure the safety of inspectors and improve enforcement efficiency.
Dr. Georgiev said the expansion of authority required extensive preparation and legal alignment. The final installation of equipment on all vehicles was completed at the end of November, bringing the operational fleet to full readiness.
A total of 40 branded inspection cars are now active under the new rules. Inspectors who will operate under the special traffic regime underwent formal training at Ministry of Interior academies.
Overall, 150 inspectors have been trained for the expanded responsibilities, covering legal procedures, use of technical equipment and coordination with law enforcement agencies.
Authorities insist the reforms are not aimed at discouraging recreational fishing, but at ensuring fairness, sustainability and better protection of aquatic ecosystems. The revised fees, they say, remain modest by European standards.
The new tariff and enforcement framework are expected to come into force in 2026, giving anglers and institutions time to adapt before the changes take effect.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members