Under the Cultural Heritage Protection Law, an antique is any movable item older than 75 years, and a work of art is a work of fine or applied art. A seller or intermediary in the sale of antiques and art keeps records of their origin, price and buyers, shows the buyer proof of ownership, signs a written contract and notifies the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the sale. Taking out of the country archaeological material older than 100 years, paintings and drawings, sculptures, books and maps older than 100 years, numismatic collections, vehicles older than 75 years and other items older than 75 years requires Ministry approval. Anyone who comes across an archaeological find during works must stop the works and report it immediately. An individual pays 1,000 to 1,300 euros for failings in selling antiques and 600 to 1,000 euros for an unreported find.
This guide is useful before you list an old item from the family home or take it abroad.
What is an antique, and what is a cultural asset?
| Term | Meaning |
| antique | any movable item older than 75 years |
| work of art | a work of fine or applied art |
| cultural asset | an asset established to be of lasting historical, artistic, scientific, archaeological or other significance |
- A cultural asset may be state-owned or privately owned.
- Stricter rules apply to selling a cultural asset: the buyer is shown that the item is a cultural asset, proof of ownership, the protection measures and proof that the Ministry was notified of the sale, and the contract is sent to the Directorate within eight days.
- A buyer of a movable cultural asset notifies the Directorate within eight days of taking it over where it will be kept.
What must a seller of antiques and art do?
- Keep records of the origin, sale price and buyers of antiques and works of art.
- Show the buyer proof of ownership of the item sold.
- Sign a written contract with the buyer.
- Notify the Directorate of the sale of antiques and works of art.
Which items need approval to be taken abroad?
| Item | Age |
| archaeological material | older than 100 years |
| hand-made drawings, paintings, watercolours, pastels and mosaics | no limit |
| original prints, sculptures, photographs and films | no limit |
| incunabula and manuscripts, including maps and scores | no limit |
| books, publications and printed maps | older than 100 years |
| archival material | older than 50 years |
| items of historical, ethnographic or numismatic significance | no limit |
| means of transport | older than 75 years |
| all other items | older than 75 years |
- Approval is issued by the Ministry, with the opinion of the Directorate and the competent cultural institution.
- A cultural asset may not be taken out of the country permanently, except in an exchange; it may be taken out temporarily for presentation, expert assessment or conservation.
What if works uncover an archaeological find?
- Stop the works and protect the site from damage and access by others.
- Report the find immediately to the Directorate, the nearest public heritage institution, the police or the maritime safety administration.
- Keep the objects where and as they were found, or hand them over to one of those bodies.
- Provide details of the location, position and circumstances of the discovery.
- The Directorate establishes by the next day at the latest whether it is an archaeological find; a temporary halt to works lasts no more than 30 days.
How high are the fines?
| Offence | Individual | Sole trader | Company |
| antiques seller without records, written contract or notice to the Directorate | €1,000 to €1,300 | €3,300 to €4,200 | €11,000 to €14,000 |
| archaeological find not reported or not secured | €600 to €1,000 | €1,800 to €3,000 | €6,000 to €10,000 |
How used items are sold is explained in the guide on second-hand goods, and the hallmark on old gold in the guide on buying gold and jewellery. What travellers may carry across the border is in the guide on customs allowances for travellers, and selling a car, including a classic car, is covered in the guide on selling a car.
Frequently asked questions
How old must an item be to count as an antique? Older than 75 years; this applies to any movable item.
Do I need a permit to sell an old watch or painting through a listing? The law does not require a permit for the sale, but a seller or intermediary in the sale of antiques and art keeps records, signs a written contract and notifies the Directorate.
Can I take an old painting abroad? Hand-made paintings and drawings need Ministry approval, whatever their age.
Do old coins need approval? Yes, items and collections of numismatic significance need approval to be taken out.
What if I find old objects while digging foundations? Stop the works, protect the site and report the find immediately to the Directorate, a museum or the police.
Can a cultural asset be taken out permanently? No, except in an exchange; it may be taken out temporarily only for presentation, expert assessment or conservation.
Sources
The definition of antiques and the rules on sale, export and chance finds are set by the Cultural Heritage Protection Law (Official Gazette 49/2010), Articles 11, 49 to 54, 87 and 88, and the fines in euros by the Law Amending the Cultural Heritage Protection Law (Official Gazette 44/2017), Articles 136 and 139. Information checked on 30 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.