The RivFISH database aggregates the available data on freshwater-dependent fish presence in Europe, validated at the river basin level and considering taxonomical synonyms for species names, thus allowing for a maximization of data usage and robustness. This database also promotes interoperability with other datasets, including the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the Catchment Characterisation and Modelling (CCM2) – River and Catchment Database v2.1. It is, as far as the authors know, the most up-to-date and comprehensive database on the presence of freshwater-dependent fish species for European river basins. The structure of the database is also prepared to deal with future alterations in species taxonomy, as well as new records of species occurrence in river basins.