Protection of Cultural Property

To protect cultural goods from non-European countries of origin against illegal trade, the Federal Art Administration carries out approval procedures. These procedures are based on Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/880 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the introduction and import of cultural goods. As part of the approval process, the Federal Art Administration verifies the provenance of cultural goods that shall enter the Federal Republic of Germany. Together with the EU member states, the federal government combats the illegal trade of cultural property and actively contributes to the international protection of cultural property.