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Cultural property; application for a temporary export license for national cultural property to a third country

If you wish to export national cultural property from Germany to a third country for a maximum of 5 years, you require an export license.

Online services & Forms

Online services

  • Ausfuhrgenehmigung für Kulturgüter online beantragen
    - With the online procedure, you can apply for export licenses for cultural goods online or hybrid - The online procedure offers you a preliminary check to determine whether you need an export license in a specific case.

  • Ausfuhrgenehmigung nach § 22 des Kulturgutschutzgesetzes für die Ausfuhr in Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union

    Sie werden auf der Plattform für Anträge nach dem Bereich, dem Verfahren und Ihrem Bundesland gefragt. Anschließend werden Sie zu dem passenden PDF-Formular geleitet. Das Formular fragt alle wichtigen Details ab, die die zuständige Behörde benötigt, um eine Entscheidung für oder gegen eine vorübergehende Ausfuhrgenehmigung von nationalem Kulturgut zu treffen.

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Procedure details

The export of nationally valuable cultural property abroad is regulated in order to strengthen protection against emigration and to combat the illegal trade in cultural property.

You therefore require an export license for the temporary export of national cultural property from Germany to a third country.

Temporary export is defined as export for a limited period of no more than 5 years.

National cultural property is part of Germany's cultural heritage, regardless of its age and value. It includes all objects that belong to one of the following categories:

  • listed in the register of nationally valuable cultural property, regardless of ownership
  • in public ownership and in the holdings of a public institution preserving cultural property, for example
    • museums
    • archives
    • libraries
  • owned and held by an institution preserving cultural property that is predominantly financed by public grants
  • Part of a federal or state art collection

You must

  • the owner of the cultural property or
  • an authorized third party

to be able to submit the application. You can prove this with a so-called proof of provenance. This documents the origin of your object. Suitable evidence can be, for example

  • Proof of purchase or other acquisition
    • purchase contracts
    • invoices
    • wills
  • Proof of insurance
  • Excerpts from auction and exhibition catalogs
  • old photographs showing the work

You apply for permission from the highest state authority of the state

  • in whose register of nationally valuable cultural assets the cultural asset is entered, or
  • in which the cultural property is located at the time of application.

  • 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.

  • Required document/s
    • 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
      • proof of value
      • Further evidence

  • 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 permit 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 3 copies of the export license application.
    • All copies must be completed.
    • Attach the necessary supporting documents to the copies.
    • Sign and stamp the copies if necessary.
    • Send all copies and the corresponding supporting documents by post to the competent authority.
    • The competent authority will check your application and decide whether to issue the export license.
    • If the decision is positive, 2 copies will be issued with the license and sent back to you.
    • Both copies must be submitted to the competent customs office of export together with the export declaration.
    • The customs office of export confirms on both copies that it has inspected the export license and returns the first copy to you. The customs office of export retains the second copy and returns it to the competent authority that issued the license.
  • If you want to apply for the export license online:
    • Call up the online service.
    • Authenticate yourself with your BundID account (natural persons) or via "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 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" 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 3 copies of the export license application.
    • Attach the missing documents to the copies.
    • Sign and stamp the copies if necessary.
    • Send all 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.

Bavaria-wide supplement

EUR 25 to 250 (No. 3.III.1 of the Schedule of Costs under the Costs Act)

You also need an export license for the temporary export of national cultural goods to a member state of the European Union (EU).

  • 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.

Status: 18.03.2026
Source: Federal Portal
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