Applying for a permit for the permanent export of cultural property to an EU Member State

Service Procedure Costs and deadlines

Procedure

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

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.
If necessary, sign and stamp the copies in the specified places.
Send both copies and the relevant 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, 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 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 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" and "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.
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 also need an export license for the permanent export of cultural goods to third countries.
Third countries are all countries that are not part of the European Union (EU).

Legal remedy:

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.