Applying for authorization for the regular temporary export of cultural goods to EU member states for churches or religious communities

As a church or religious community, you can apply for a general open license for the export of cultural property from your holdings to member states of the European Union (EU) under certain conditions.

Do you, as a church or religious community recognized as a public corporation, regularly export cultural property temporarily from Germany to one or more EU member states? Then you can apply for a general open license for the export of cultural goods.

This is particularly recommended if you frequently

• take part in public exhibitions,
• have cultural property restored or
• give researchers the opportunity to examine the cultural property.

The general open license can be granted for a maximum of 5 years.

You can apply for the general open license from the competent authority of the federal state in which the headquarters of your institution is located.

• Consent of your church or religious community to apply for this export license

• You are a church that preserves cultural property or a religious community recognized as a public corporation.
• You guarantee that the cultural property will be reintroduced undamaged and in good time.

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 can only apply for a permit for the temporary export of cultural property in writing.

• Download the corresponding PDF form for applications for general open authorization for export to EU member states 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 decision with a statement of reasons and information on legal remedies.

As a church or recognized religious community that preserves cultural property, you can apply for your own general open permit for exports to third countries.