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Cultural property; application for a specific open export license in EU member states by churches and religious communities

If you, as a church or religious community, wish to export a specific cultural asset from Germany to member states of the European Union (EU) on a regular and temporary basis, you can apply for a specific open permit.

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  • 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.

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Procedure details

As a church or a religious community recognized as a public corporation, you have the option of applying for a specific open permit if you regularly wish to temporarily export cultural objects from your collection from Germany to a member state of the European Union (EU).

This is particularly recommended if selected objects are to be imported and exported several times over a certain period of time, for example because they are to be shown in temporary exhibitions.

An export is temporary if it is to take place for a maximum of 5 years.

Cultural goods are, for example, works of art such as

  • archaeological objects,
  • archive material,
  • manuscripts or
  • antiques such as furniture, musical instruments or jewelry.

Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 116/2009 lists which objects count as cultural goods. The increased age and value limits for exports to the EU are listed in Section 24 (2) of the Cultural Property Protection Act (KGSG) and on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

The financial value of the cultural property is determined either by the price paid for a purchase or sale within the last 3 years or by a comprehensible estimate of the value at the time of the application within Germany. You must prove the origin of the cultural property with proof of provenance. Suitable evidence can be, for example

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

You can apply for permission from the competent state authority of the federal state in which the cultural property is located.

  • 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.

  • Required document/s
    • At least one 9 x 12 cm photograph of the cultural property to be exported
    • Proof of provenance
    • optional:
      • Directory
      • catalog
      • bibliography
      • certificate of value
      • Further references
    • Consent of your church or religious community

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.

Bavaria-wide supplement

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

  • 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.

  • Objection 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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