Protected objects and collections (Erfgoedwet)
Do you own an object or collection of cultural-historic or scientific value for the Netherlands? The Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science can decide to include those in a register. This gives such objects or collections a protected status under the Dutch 2016 Heritage act (Erfgoedwet). If this happens you will have a number of rights and obligations.
Inclusion in the register
The minister can decide to have your object or collection included in the Dutch Protected Objects and Collections Register (in Dutch). You will be notified of this and you may object. You can also ask for an item or collection to be included in the register (in Dutch).
Inclusion in the register offers access to several financial and legal arrangements (in Dutch), for instance a subsidy through the Mondriaanfonds. You may also get a tax benefit if you donate an item to the state (in Dutch).
If your object or collection is included in the register
Do you own 1 or more objects that are listed in the register? You must:
- inform the Information and Heritage Inspectorate if the objects are missing, stolen, or temporarily lent out
- inform the Information and Heritage Inspectorate of a sale within the Netherlands
- draw up a contract in case of a temporary loan for use (you may use the model contract that museums use, in Dutch)
- ask the Information and Heritage Inspectorate for permission for temporary export, you will need to request an application form from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration
- ask the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science for permission for export or sale abroad (in Dutch)
Supervision
The Information and Heritage Inspectorate (Inspectie Overheidsinformatie en Erfgoed) monitors compliance with the Cultural Heritage Act. It inspects protected cultural objects every 4 years. The inspectorate also informs the owner about, for example, laws and regulations, subsidies, and management issues.