What to do if you find money, belongings or an animal
Anyone in Germany who picks up a banknote or item lost by someone else can be accused of theft.
🔹By law, The person who has lost their item (Verlierer) remains its owner (Eigentümer), while the person who finds it (Finder) merely becomes its temporary possessor.
🔹For the violation Failure to meet this requirement can result in a fine or criminal punishment involving restriction of freedom.
🔹Exceptions. These rules apply only to banknotes over 10 euros and items worth more than 10 euros. If an item is cheaper than this amount, you can keep it if you wish.
🔹Where should I take it? Either to the lost property office or to a police station. If the item is found on a train, bus or at a stop, then to the transport company.
🔹Lost property office (Lost property office). If the owner of the lost item does not come forward within six months, the money or item is returned to the finder.
🔹Reward (Finder’s fee). As a rule, this amounts to between 3 and 5% of the total value of the found item. Employees of public institutions and public transport operators are not entitled to a finder’s fee if they find an item whilst on duty.
🔹Keys. When handing in lost apartment keys, car keys and other keys to the lost property office, neither a receipt nor a reward is issued. It is only necessary to state the location and time of the find.
There is also a society Key Lost and Found Office Germany (SFD), and the person who concluded the contract with him will be sent a metal token by post to attach to their key ring.
🔹Telephone. German police recommend that, to make searching for the gadget easier, you note down your 15-digit individual IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity). The IMEI number can be found in iOS and Android settings or by dialling the combination on your phone *#06#
🔹Bicycles. If a stolen bicycle was insured, a certificate stating that the bicycle is not in the lost property office (Negativbescheinigung) is often required. You can apply for such a certificate one month after the theft by presenting your ID, shop receipt, vehicle registration document (passport), instruction manual, confirmation of the police report, and a letter to the insurance company. A fee is charged for issuing the certificate.
🔹Animals. Found pets are taken to an animal reception centre (Tiersammelstelle). They are kept there for a few days, after which they are sent to an animal shelter (Tierheim).
