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

Spain
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
check with the Directorate General to find out if the relevant Autonomous Community has
such competences and what specific organisation to apply to. A list of regional authorities
and links to their websites can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Culture.
Such regional authorities may either deny the export permit (if they find that the object is
of Cultural Interest or banned from export) or, if there are no objections for export on their
part, they pass on the application to the Board.
Once the application is made, the Board may order you to present the object for expert
examination.
The decision to issue or deny the export permit is made by the Directorate General on the
basis of the opinion issued by the Board. The decision must be made within two months
from the date of application. If the decision has not been made within that time, the applicant
can request a decision from the Directorate General. The latter can then make a
decision without the need for an opinion from the Board. If no decision has been issued
after a month from the applicant’s request to the Directorate General, it is understood that
the export permit has been refused.
You should bear in mind that permanent export is not allowed for Goods of Cultural Interest.
If the Directorate General finds that the object is not classified as such, but should
be considered of Cultural Interest, it will refuse the export and initiate the process for
classification.
How do I find if the art object I want to export is of national significance? Is there a Public
Registry/Inventory of cultural goods of special interest or importance?
You can check online whether your good is included in the General Inventory of Movable
Goods or in the Register of Goods of Cultural Interest. These can be accessed via the
Ministry of Culture website: http://www.mcu.es
Do museums and galleries need licences for temporary exports (e.g. a touring exhibition)? Do
non-profit organisations need export licences?
Yes. There are no exemptions based on the type of organisation.
The procedure for issuing a temporary export permit (e.g. for an exhibition abroad) is the same
as the general procedure. If, however, the object is a Good of Cultural Interest or the Ministry
has included it in the list of objects banned from export, the opinion of the Board is always
necessary, and the decision of the Directorate General has to be expressly given in writing.
As a rule, cultural goods can remain up to five years out of Spain. But subsequent extensions
can be applied for, up to 20 years abroad in total (10 years for Goods of Cultural
Interest and goods banned from export).
Goods kept in libraries and registered as part of the Bibliographical Heritage of Spain, if
not classified as Goods of Cultural Interest or registered in the General Inventory of Mov-
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