Applying for a permit for the temporary export of national treasures to an EU Member State

You can apply for a permit for the temporary export of national cultural property by post, online or hybrid.

• If you wish to apply for the export license in writing by post:
  • Download the corresponding PDF form and fill it out.
  • Print out the PDF form once on one side.
  • The PDF contains 2 copies of the export license application.
  • Both copies must be completed.
  • Attach the necessary supporting documents to both copies.
  • Sign and stamp the copies if necessary.
  • Send both copies and the corresponding supporting documents by post to the competent authority.
  • The competent authority will examine your application and decide whether to issue the export license.
  • If the decision is positive, the second copy will be provided with the license and sent back to you.
• If you wish to apply for the export license online:
  • Call up the online service.
  • Authenticate yourself using BundID (natural persons) or My Company Account (organizations).
  • Complete the online form and attach the required attachments.
  • Submit the online form.
  • Save the submission confirmation provided for verification purposes.
  • An online decision is not yet possible.
• If you want to apply for the export license hybrid:
  • Call up the online service.
  • When you are asked for the identification method, click on "Without registration" and on "Continue".
  • Complete the online form.
  • Submit the online form.
  • Print the result PDF form once on one side in color.
  • The PDF contains 2 copies of the export license application.
  • Attach the missing documents to both copies.
  • Sign and stamp the copies if necessary.
  • Send both copies and the corresponding supporting documents by post to the competent authority.
• Regardless of how you apply, if your application is rejected, you will receive a written decision with reasons and instructions on how to appeal.
• If your application is approved, you will receive a notification which you must carry with you when exporting the cultural property.
• You must re-import the cultural property to Germany without prejudice within 5 years.

• The object to be exported is a national cultural asset.
• You are the owner of the cultural property or an authorized third party.
• You can credibly demonstrate that the cultural property intended for export will be returned to the federal territory without prejudice and before the end of the temporary period.
• You have submitted the necessary documents.

• one or more photographs of the cultural property to be removed, at least in 9x12 cm format
• Proof of provenance
• optional:
  • List of works
  • Auction or exhibition catalog
  • bibliography
  • certificate of value
  • Further references

• § 22 Absatz 1 Gesetz zum Schutz von Kulturgut (Kulturgutschutzgesetz – KGSG)

• Appeal or, if the administrative act has been issued by a supreme state authority, an action for annulment or an action to compel.
• Further information can be found in the information on legal remedies of the respective administrative act in the specific individual case.

• You also need an export license for the temporary export of national cultural goods to third countries.
• Third countries are all countries that are not part of the European Union (EU).

• Alles zum Kulturgutschutz auf der Internetseite der Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM)
• Datenbank geschützter Kulturgüter
• Behördenfinder
• Kulturgutschutz Deutschland - Ausfuhrgenehmigung - Vorab-Check auf Genehmigungspflicht

08.04.2025

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.