A guide to the export and import of cultural goods between Russia ...

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Greece
ed by the Minister of Culture, according to the legislation). This decision is issued within four
months or, in exceptional cases, within six months from the date you submit your application.
How do I find out if the art object I want to export is of national significance? Is there a Public
Inventory of cultural goods of special interest or importance?
The Regional Archaeological Services are creating their own databases in order to identify
movable cultural goods that belong to their area of competence. Once completed, these databases
will be coordinated by the central database of the National Archive of Monuments.
No information on financial value is included in the databases. The competent authority at
the Ministry of Culture provides the information on the national significance of an object.
Under Law 3028/02, the export of cultural goods (‘monuments’) is prohibited subject to
the following provision: The export of monuments may be allowed upon permit, provided
that they are not of special significance to the cultural heritage of the country and that the
unity of important collections shall not be affected. For cultural goods which are less than
100 years old, an export permit may be granted “if their presence is not considered necessary
for the cultural heritage of the country”.
Do museums and galleries need licences for temporary exports (e.g. a touring exhibition)? Do
non-profit organisations need export licences?
Yes. Museums, galleries and non-profit organisations must apply for export permits and
licences.
Export permits for the temporary export of cultural goods for exhibition in museums or
similar institutions abroad are only granted on condition that the necessary guarantees
are provided for the safe transport, exhibition and return of the goods. An assessment is
also made of the significance of the exhibition in terms of the enhancement of the cultural
heritage of Greece and whether any reciprocity is offered.
Permits for temporary loans are granted only for exhibitions and for conservation or scientific
purposes, provided that the aforementioned guarantees are offered and that the
conservation work or study cannot take place in Greece. Temporary loans do not exceed
a few months, renewable under certain circumstances.
I am a visual artist. Do I need a licence to export my own work?
No. Art work which belongs to “the originator” (i.e. the artist who created it) does not require
an export licence under the EU export licence legislation, whatever its age or value.
Therefore you do not need a licence to export your own work if you still own it yourself.
I am a musician. Do I need to know about export regulations if I am travelling with my instrument?
Yes. Any musician who wishes to travel outside the European Union with a musical
instrument which is over a certain age and value must obtain an EU export licence
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