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Export permit for works of art, antiques and cultural goods (and EU export licence)

Export permit for works of art, antiques and cultural goods (and EU export licence) is filed with Ministerio de Cultura, Junta de Calificación, Valoración y Exportación de Bienes del Patrimonio Histórico Español (sede electrónica), o la comunidad autónoma competente. With Managora you do it 100% online: you answer a few questions, sign a digital mandato (power of representation) and we draft, sign and file your application for you. What we charge you: from €299. Official tasa (government fee): Export tax under art. 30 of Ley 16/1985, managed by the Ministerio de Cultura. It is NOT included in the price: you pay it separately, because it depends on the value of the item. On permanent export it is calculated on the declared value (or on the value set by the authorities, if higher) and on temporary export with the option to sell, on the sale price; always separately for each lot and in bands: 5 % up to 6.000 €, 10 % from 6.001 to 60.000 €, 20 % from 60.001 to 600.000 € and 30 % from 600.001 €. Each rate applies only to the part of the value falling within its band: an item worth 10.000 € pays 700 € (300 + 400). It is only payable on items leaving the European Union: on permanent export, before you receive the permit, and on temporary export with the option to sell, only if the item is sold abroad. Exempt are exports to another EU country, temporary exports with return to Spain, works by living artists and goods exported within the 10 years following their legal, documented import. There are no other official fees; on temporary export, the return guarantees set by the authorisation may carry their own cost. The customs declaration, if you need one, is not part of this procedure.

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We prepare and submit the permit to take a work of art, an antique or any item of Spanish Historical Heritage out of Spain, to the Ministerio de Cultura or the competent autonomous community, together with the EU export licence when the item leaves the Union and needs one. We draft the application with the technical description, the photos and the value you declare, calculate the export tax and submit it with your authorisation. The export tax, when due, is paid by you separately.

Practical guide: Exporting or importing art and antiques in Spain: export permits, fees and import declarations. Requirements, deadlines and the steps, explained.

What we charge you
from €299
Managora's fee
€299.00 (21% VAT incl.)
Tasa (official government fee)
Export tax under art. 30 of Ley 16/1985, managed by the Ministerio de Cultura. It is NOT included in the price: you pay it separately, because it depends on the value of the item. On permanent export it is calculated on the declared value (or on the value set by the authorities, if higher) and on temporary export with the option to sell, on the sale price; always separately for each lot and in bands: 5 % up to 6.000 €, 10 % from 6.001 to 60.000 €, 20 % from 60.001 to 600.000 € and 30 % from 600.001 €. Each rate applies only to the part of the value falling within its band: an item worth 10.000 € pays 700 € (300 + 400). It is only payable on items leaving the European Union: on permanent export, before you receive the permit, and on temporary export with the option to sell, only if the item is sold abroad. Exempt are exports to another EU country, temporary exports with return to Spain, works by living artists and goods exported within the 10 years following their legal, documented import. There are no other official fees; on temporary export, the return guarantees set by the authorisation may carry their own cost. The customs declaration, if you need one, is not part of this procedure.
Processing time
The Ministerio de Cultura has 3 months to decide. If it does not decide within that period, the permit is deemed granted, but that silence only takes effect with the certificate that proves it. Authorisation must be obtained before the item leaves: apply well ahead of the shipping date.
Where it is filed
Ministerio de Cultura, Junta de Calificación, Valoración y Exportación de Bienes del Patrimonio Histórico Español (sede electrónica), o la comunidad autónoma competente ↗
What you receive
Application

Cost breakdown: Temporary export or a single item 299 € (VAT included): the temporary export of a single item that returns to Spain, or the permanent export, or temporary export with the option to sell, of one item that pays no tax (because it goes to another EU country or is exempt). Permanent export with settlement of the export tax 399 € (VAT included): the permanent export, or temporary export with the option to sell, of a single item that leaves the EU and is not exempt from the tax, including the tax calculation. 2 to 10 items 699 € (VAT included): one application covering between 2 and 10 items, whatever the type of export. The Ministerio de Cultura export tax is not included: you pay it separately, according to the value of the item..

Export permit for works of art, antiques and cultural goods (and EU export licence): how is it filed?

  1. 1Answer the questions (around 10 minutes) and upload the photos of the item and proof that it is yours.
  2. 2If your answers show that the item does not need a permit or that the law does not allow it to be exported, we tell you before you pay.
  3. 3Payment: 299 € (VAT included) for a temporary export with return or a single item without tax; 399 € for the permanent export, or temporary export with the option to sell, of one item leaving the EU, with settlement of the tax; 699 € for 2 to 10 items. The export tax, if due, is paid by you separately.
  4. 4Sign the mandate on the website: it is your authorisation for us to submit the application on your behalf; if the item is not yours, the owner's signed authorisation goes with it, because the Ministerio de Cultura only accepts an application from the owner or from someone the owner authorises. We never ask for your digital certificate.
  5. 5We draft the application with the technical description of each item, the photos and the declared value, calculate the tax and submit it to the Junta de Calificación, Valoración y Exportación or to the competent autonomous community.
  6. 6We answer any requests that come in and follow the file until the decision. If the permit is granted with tax, we send you the amount so you can pay it.
  7. 7If it is granted, we deliver the permit: if the item leaves the EU it is presented at customs with the export declaration, and if it goes to another EU country it travels with the shipment. The customs declaration is lodged by you (or your company) or by a registered customs representative; we leave the permit and the item's documentation ready for it.

Which documents do you need?

  • •Clear photographs of each item: front, back and the signature, marks or labels that identify it.
  • •Proof of ownership of the item: purchase invoice, auction certificate, or deed or document of inheritance or gift.
  • •Valuation or appraisal report, if you have one (it helps support the declared value).
  • •Signed authorisation from the owner, if the applicant is not the owner.
  • •Document proving the legal import of the item, if you claim the tax exemption for having imported it less than 10 years ago.
  • •If a company applies, the deed of appointment or power of attorney of whoever signs, if you have it to hand.
  • •Mandate of representation: you sign it on the website after paying, and it is the authorisation with which we submit on your behalf.

Prerequisites we also handle for you

And whatever a third party provides, we arrange it

  • Valuation or expert's report

You do not have to look for anyone: we coordinate it. As it is provided by a third party it is quoted separately and does not go inside the price of this procedure, and we tell you the amount before ordering it.

Legal basis and things to bear in mind

  • A permit is needed to take out of Spain, including to another EU country, items of Spanish Historical Heritage more than 100 years old and items entered in the Inventario General, whatever their age (Ley 16/1985, art. 5). To leave the EU, items that by their category and value fall within Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 116/2009 also need its export licence, granted by the State where the item is located and valid throughout the Union; other items are governed by Spanish law alone.
  • Goods declared Bien de Interés Cultural and goods declared non-exportable cannot be exported; the law only allows their temporary export, with a set period and guarantees.
  • An item exported without a permit becomes State property, and the State never loses it: it is inalienable and not subject to prescription (Ley 16/1985, art. 29). Taking it out without authorisation is also smuggling (contrabando): a criminal offence from 50.000 euros in value, and an administrative offence with a fine and confiscation below that.
  • If the item leaves the EU permanently, the value you declare is the basis of the tax, and if the authorities check it and set a higher one, theirs prevails. On permanent export that value is also an irrevocable offer to sell to the State, which may buy the item at that price (RD 111/1986, art. 50).
  • The tax is calculated in bands on the value of each lot: 5 % up to 6.000 €, 10 % from 6.001 to 60.000 €, 20 % from 60.001 to 600.000 € and 30 % from 600.001 €. It is only payable on items leaving the EU: on permanent export and, if the item is sold abroad, on temporary export with the option to sell. No tax is paid on exports to another EU country, on temporary export with return, on works by living artists or on goods exported within the 10 years following their legal, documented import.
  • The Ministry has 3 months to decide. If it does not, the permit is deemed granted, but that silence only takes effect with the certificate that proves it (RD 111/1986, art. 49).
  • On temporary export, the authorisation sets the period and the guarantees for return. If the item does not come back on the authorised terms, the exit is treated as unlawful export (Ley 16/1985, art. 31).

Export permit for works of art, antiques and cultural goods (and EU export licence): frequently asked questions

Export permit for works of art, antiques and cultural goods (and EU export licence): how much does it cost?

We charge you from €299: our fee plus, where applicable, the fixed official tasa we advance. Temporary export or a single item 299 € (VAT included): the temporary export of a single item that returns to Spain, or the permanent export, or temporary export with the option to sell, of one item that pays no tax (because it goes to another EU country or is exempt). Permanent export with settlement of the export tax 399 € (VAT included): the permanent export, or temporary export with the option to sell, of a single item that leaves the EU and is not exempt from the tax, including the tax calculation. 2 to 10 items 699 € (VAT included): one application covering between 2 and 10 items, whatever the type of export. The Ministerio de Cultura export tax is not included: you pay it separately, according to the value of the item.. Managora's fee is €299.00, 21% VAT included (€247.11 net + €51.89 VAT). The official tasa charged by the authority (a suplido paid on your behalf, no VAT) is: Export tax under art. 30 of Ley 16/1985, managed by the Ministerio de Cultura. It is NOT included in the price: you pay it separately, because it depends on the value of the item. On permanent export it is calculated on the declared value (or on the value set by the authorities, if higher) and on temporary export with the option to sell, on the sale price; always separately for each lot and in bands: 5 % up to 6.000 €, 10 % from 6.001 to 60.000 €, 20 % from 60.001 to 600.000 € and 30 % from 600.001 €. Each rate applies only to the part of the value falling within its band: an item worth 10.000 € pays 700 € (300 + 400). It is only payable on items leaving the European Union: on permanent export, before you receive the permit, and on temporary export with the option to sell, only if the item is sold abroad. Exempt are exports to another EU country, temporary exports with return to Spain, works by living artists and goods exported within the 10 years following their legal, documented import. There are no other official fees; on temporary export, the return guarantees set by the authorisation may carry their own cost. The customs declaration, if you need one, is not part of this procedure..

Export permit for works of art, antiques and cultural goods (and EU export licence): how long does it take?

The Ministerio de Cultura has 3 months to decide. If it does not decide within that period, the permit is deemed granted, but that silence only takes effect with the certificate that proves it. Authorisation must be obtained before the item leaves: apply well ahead of the shipping date.

Export permit for works of art, antiques and cultural goods (and EU export licence): which documents do I need?

You need to have to hand: Clear photographs of each item: front, back and the signature, marks or labels that identify it., Proof of ownership of the item: purchase invoice, auction certificate, or deed or document of inheritance or gift., Valuation or appraisal report, if you have one (it helps support the declared value)., Signed authorisation from the owner, if the applicant is not the owner., Document proving the legal import of the item, if you claim the tax exemption for having imported it less than 10 years ago., If a company applies, the deed of appointment or power of attorney of whoever signs, if you have it to hand., Mandate of representation: you sign it on the website after paying, and it is the authorisation with which we submit on your behalf.. You do not upload them here: we collect the details through the guided chat.

Who files the procedure?

Managora files it in your name with Ministerio de Cultura, Junta de Calificación, Valoración y Exportación de Bienes del Patrimonio Histórico Español (sede electrónica), o la comunidad autónoma competente. You only provide the details through the chat and sign a mandato (power of representation); we prepare, sign and register it.

Can it be done online?

Yes. The whole process is online: you answer a few questions in the guided chat, sign a simple mandato on screen and receive the receipt and the official documents by email, with full legal validity.

Related procedures

Based on the legislation in force and on the official site of the competent authority: Ministerio de Cultura, Junta de Calificación, Valoración y Exportación de Bienes del Patrimonio Histórico Español (sede electrónica), o la comunidad autónoma competente ↗.

Managora Gestion SL (company number B88823893) is a private company. We are not Ministerio de Cultura, Junta de Calificación, Valoración y Exportación de Bienes del Patrimonio Histórico Español (sede electrónica), o la comunidad autónoma competente, we are not affiliated with, authorised or endorsed by any public authority, and this website is not an official government portal. What you pay on this page is our fee for preparing, signing and filing the procedure on your behalf: it is separate from the official tasa, which where applicable belongs to the authority and is shown to you separately. You can carry out this procedure yourself, directly with Ministerio de Cultura, Junta de Calificación, Valoración y Exportación de Bienes del Patrimonio Histórico Español (sede electrónica), o la comunidad autónoma competente.

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