Applying for authorization for the regular temporary export of ecclesiastical cultural property to EU member states

You can apply for a permit for the temporary export of cultural property to a third country online, in writing or in hybrid form.

If you wish to apply for the export license in writing:

• 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.
• Please carry this license with you when exporting the cultural object.
• If the decision on your application is negative, you will receive a written notification with a statement of reasons and information on legal remedies.

If you wish to apply for the export license online:

• Call up the online service.
• Authenticate yourself as a natural person using your BundID account or as an organization using My Company Account.
• Complete the online form and attach the required attachments.
• Submit the online form.
• Save the confirmation of submission provided for verification purposes.
• The remaining procedural steps are the same as the written procedure.
• An online decision is not yet possible.

If you wish to apply for the export license in hybrid form:

• Call up the online service.
• When you are asked for the identification method, click on "Without registration".
• Complete the online form and submit it.
• 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.
• If necessary, sign and stamp the copies in the specified places.
• Send both copies and the corresponding supporting documents by post to the competent authority.
• The remaining procedural steps correspond to the written procedure.

• You are a church or a religious community recognized as a public corporation.
• You guarantee that the cultural property will be returned undamaged and in good time.
• You have submitted the required documents.

• At least one 9 x 12 cm photograph of the cultural property to be exported
• Proof of provenance
• optional:
  • Directory
  • catalog
  • Bibliography
  • Proof of value
  • further references
• Consent of your church or religious community

• § 26 - 27 Kulturgutschutzgesetz (KGSG)
• § 24 Kulturgutschutzgesetz (KGSG)
• Verordnung (EG) Nummer 116/2009 des Rates vom 18. Dezember 2008 über die Ausfuhr von Kulturgütern (kodifizierte Fassung) (Verordnung (EG) Nummer 116/2009), Anhang I

• 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.

• As a church or a religious community recognized as a public corporation, you can apply for a specific open permit for the regular temporary export of cultural goods to third countries.
• Third countries are all countries that are not part of the EU.

08.04.2025

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.