In Germany, anyone may take wild mushrooms in small quantities for personal use, with care, from places where access is not prohibited, although stricter protection rules remain unaffected. As a rough guide, the German Mycological Society (DGfM) gives about 1 to 2 kg per picker per day. According to the DGfM, popular edible mushrooms like porcini, chanterelles and orange boletes are protected, so you may only take a little of them and only for yourself. Picking commercially needs a permit from the nature conservation authority.
The basic rule is in section 39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG): anyone may take wild flowers, fruits, mushrooms, herbs, mosses and similar from places where access is not prohibited, in small quantities for personal use and with care. The same section prohibits taking wild plants without good reason or devastating their stands. It also states expressly that stricter protection rules remain unaffected.
The act states explicitly that this covers mushrooms: for its purposes, lichens and fungi count as plants.
The law itself speaks of small quantities for personal use. The DGfM gives a guideline of about 1 to 2 kg per picker per day.
The DGfM also reminds pickers that fungi do many different jobs in the forest and asks them to collect thoughtfully and in moderation.
Annex 1 of the Federal Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV) places a number of fungi under special protection, including porcini (Boletus edulis), all native chanterelles, birch boletes and orange boletes (Leccinum), morels, the weeping milk cap (Lactarius volemus) and pig's ear (Gomphus clavatus). Also specially protected there are, for example, Caesar's mushroom (Amanita caesarea), truffles, waxcaps (Hygrocybe), the royal bolete (Boletus regius), man on horseback (Tricholoma flavovirens) and the Albatrellus polypores.
For specially protected species, section 44 of the BNatSchG prohibits taking wild plants from the wild. Section 2 of the BArtSchV makes an exception for porcini, chanterelles, pig's ear, weeping milk cap, birch and orange boletes and morels, as long as they are taken in small quantities for your own use. The responsible state authority may allow further exceptions for these species in individual cases, as long as their conservation is not at risk.
The DGfM points out that some species are even fully protected. Taking a wild plant of a specially protected species contrary to section 44 is an administrative offence, and the act allows a fine of up to 50,000 euros.
Under the Federal Forest Act, entering the forest for recreation is permitted. The federal states regulate the details and may restrict access for important reasons. The BNatSchG likewise refers to the Federal Forest Act and the state forest laws for access to forests.
The permission to pick only applies to places where access is not prohibited. In nature reserves, actions that could destroy, damage or alter the reserve or its parts, or disturb it lastingly, are prohibited as set out in more specific rules.
The DGfM also asks pickers not to enter young plantations or newly planted areas and to avoid parts of the forest where forestry work is clearly under way.
Anyone who takes or processes wild plants commercially needs a permit from the authority responsible for nature conservation. The permit must be granted if the population of the species at that site is not endangered and the ecosystem is not significantly harmed, and even then the picking must be done with care.
According to the DGfM, protected mushroom species from wild native populations may not be traded.
According to the DGfM, picking the fruiting bodies does not, as a rule, harm the mycelium in the soil, whether you cut the mushrooms or twist them out. It still recommends lifting mushrooms carefully out of the ground, because important features often sit at the base of the stem, such as the volva of the death cap (Amanita phalloides).
Leave old and oversized specimens standing: according to the DGfM, decomposition that has already begun can even make them cause food poisoning. At the same time they are a valuable source of spores for the next generation. Very small mushrooms should be left to grow too, because their features are often not yet developed. Collect in a basket; plastic bags are unsuitable because the mushrooms sweat inside them and break down quickly.
The DGfM advises picking only species you know for certain and keeping unknown mushrooms separate from edible ones, because even small pieces of a deadly poisonous mushroom can spoil the whole basket.
DGfM mushroom experts (Pilzsachverständige) are examined and certified, and they also know the protection rules and the legal basis. You can find one near you on the DGfM map.
Which mushrooms grow when is covered in the mushroom season guide; how long they take after rain, in the guide on mushrooms after rain. The Season Finder shows what is in season where you are. All are linked below.
Only pick mushrooms you can identify with certainty, and if in doubt have your finds checked by a certified mushroom expert. This guide summarises German federal law and is not legal advice.
The Federal Nature Conservation Act allows small quantities for personal use. The DGfM gives a guideline of about 1 to 2 kg per picker per day.
Yes, in small quantities for your own use: the Federal Species Protection Ordinance exempts porcini from the ban on taking specially protected species to that extent.
Annex 1 of the Federal Species Protection Ordinance places Caesar's mushroom, truffles and waxcaps, among others, under special protection. The small quantity exception in section 2 only names porcini, chanterelles, pig's ear, weeping milk cap, birch and orange boletes and morels.
The permission to pick only applies to places where access is not prohibited. In nature reserves, actions that could destroy, damage or alter the reserve are prohibited, as set out in more specific rules.
According to the DGfM, protected mushroom species from wild native populations may not be traded. Taking or processing wild plants commercially also needs a permit from the nature conservation authority.
Taking a wild plant of a specially protected species contrary to section 44 is an administrative offence that can be fined up to 50,000 euros.
Forage shows you the species in your region and pings you when the season starts.
All information without guarantee. This text is orientation on season and habitat, not an identification guide, and it makes no claim about whether any specific plant or mushroom is edible. Many species have toxic, some deadly, lookalikes. Never eat or use anything that has not been identified with certainty by an expert, such as a qualified mushroom inspector. We accept no liability for any harm arising from the use of this information. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center or emergency services right away. Mind conservation law and property rights.
