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Metal Detecting Laws in Germany

Sixteen states, sixteen rulebooks: the detector rule changes at every state line. Find yours on the map.

By the LuckyFind team Sourced from national and regional law
Sources checked October 7, 2026 ~6 min read
A map of the states of Germany, colored by each state’s detecting rule. Select one to jump to its rules. Berlin Bremen Hamburg Metal detecting rules by state in Germany

Open in many areas without a permit (1)Permit, registration, or designated beaches only (9)Prohibited or effectively closed (6)

Showing: each state’s own detecting rule, for all its land, on top of the national law.

Hover or tap a state for the short answer, then read its rules below.

All 16 states: the detecting rule, in one line each

All 16 states: the detecting rule, in one line each
StateAt a glanceThe short answer
Baden-WürttembergResearch permits onlyHobby detecting in Baden-Württemberg is effectively closed: any planned search for cultural monuments needs a permit from the State Office for Monument Protection, and it says private people searching for personal interest or leisure as a rule don't get one.
BavariaAllowedBavaria needs no heritage permit just to search with a metal detector, but using one on a ground monument in the Denkmalliste (monument list) is banned outright, and a permit for that is only granted for professional purposes.
BerlinResearch permits onlyBerlin's heritage act requires a permit to dig for ground monuments, and the State Monuments Office says it generally gives private people no permit to search for them: detector survey permits go to specialist firms, archaeological institutions or otherwise trained staff.
BrandenburgPermit requiredIn Brandenburg, searching for ground monuments with technical aids such as a metal detector needs a permit from the state heritage office.
BremenPermit requiredIn Bremen, digging for ground monuments or searching for them with technical aids such as a metal detector needs written permission from the Landesarchäologie (state archaeology office).
HamburgPermit requiredIn Hamburg, using technical search devices to discover ground monuments needs a permit from the competent authority, the Archäologisches Museum Hamburg's archaeological heritage department.
HessePermit requiredIn Hesse, any search aimed at discovering ground monuments, detecting included, needs a permit from the state heritage office, the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen.
Lower SaxonyPermit requiredIn Lower Saxony, searching for cultural monuments with technical aids such as a metal detector needs a permit from the heritage authority, and getting one usually means taking the state's training course for detectorists first.
Mecklenburg-Western PomeraniaResearch permits onlyIn Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, intentionally using a metal detector without a permit from the culture ministry is a crime.
North Rhine-WestphaliaPermit requiredIn North Rhine-Westphalia, using any search device able to find ground monuments needs a permit from the upper heritage authority, and it only goes to people the authority considers reliable.
Rhineland-PalatinatePermit requiredIn Rhineland-Palatinate, walking fields with a treasure-search device needs a search permit, and places are rationed: the state archaeology office takes a limited number of new applicants a year, picked by lottery and trained before they get one.
SaarlandResearch permits onlyDetecting in Saarland needs a permit from the State Heritage Office, the only body that issues one, and it grants them only in special cases that serve heritage protection, working with its own staff.
SaxonyPermit requiredIn Saxony any search aimed at finding cultural monuments, detecting included, needs a written permit from the Saxon State Office for Archaeology, plus a Nachforschungsschein (search card) that comes with a free training course.
Saxony-AnhaltResearch permits onlySaxony-Anhalt's rules tell the authorities to refuse a search permit whenever collecting or leisure is the main interest, so hobby detecting is closed.
Schleswig-HolsteinPermit requiredSchleswig-Holstein requires a permit for every metal detector, even on private land.
ThuringiaResearch permits onlyIn Thuringia, any search aimed at discovering ground monuments, metal detecting included, needs a permit from the Thuringian State Office for Monument Protection and Archaeology, and the only official word on hobby detecting is the government's own: detector searches are as a rule not permissible.

Germany doesn't have one detecting law; it has sixteen. Each state (Land) writes its own Denkmalschutzgesetz (heritage protection act). Nine of them require a search permit, several only after a course; in six, including Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, the heritage offices or official guidance say a hobbyist generally won't get one or point them to volunteer programmes; and Bavaria needs no permit at all, except that detectors are banned on its listed ground monuments. Then comes the twist: every state has a Schatzregal, a state treasure right that can make your best find public property the moment you dig it up.

Can I detect in Germany?

The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.

Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed

The rules, land by land

Anywhere: national heritage law

Varies by site

Germany's 16 states (Länder) each set their own detecting rules. Nine require a heritage search permit, in several only after a course; in six the heritage offices or official guidance say hobbyists generally won't get one or point them to volunteer programmes; Bavaria needs no permit at all, except that detectors are banned on its listed ground monuments.

  • a heritage search permit is required in Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein; Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein run training or certification for detectorists, and Rhineland-Palatinate caps new places
  • permits in practice only for professionals, volunteers working for the heritage office, or special projects: Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia
  • Bavaria: no permit to search, but detectors are banned on ground monuments in its monument list (professional exceptions only), and digging for ground monuments needs a permit
  • some acts name detectors or 'search devices' outright; others require a permit for any search aimed at finding monuments, which their heritage offices apply to detecting
  • unpermitted detecting is a crime in some states (for example Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, both if intentional) and an administrative offense in most states whose acts were read, with fines up to €500,000 in several states
  • a permit never replaces the landowner's permission; the published permit rules in Schleswig-Holstein and Rhineland-Palatinate exclude forests and protected monuments, and Lower Saxony permits often exclude forests
  • see the region-by-region list for each state's rule, authority and fines
What the rule says
“(1) Der Erlaubnis der Oberen Denkmalbehörde bedürfen 1. das Verwenden von Mess- und Suchgeräten, die geeignet sind, Bodendenkmäler aufzufinden, ohne dazu nach anderen Rechtsvorschriften befugt zu sein, 2. das Graben nach Bodendenkmälern sowie 3. die Bergung von Bodendenkmälern.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Under the federal civil code, a treasure is split half and half between the finder and the landowner. But every German state has its own Schatzregal (state treasure right) that takes archaeological finds for the state: some take every ownerless find, others only finds of outstanding (in Brandenburg, any) scientific value, or from state digs, protected zones or unpermitted searches.

  • a treasure (Schatz) is a thing hidden so long that its owner can't be traced; found and taken into possession, it belongs half to the finder and half to the owner of the land (BGB § 984)
  • the state takes every ownerless archaeological find in Bavaria, Berlin, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony, and in Saarland every ground monument of scientific value
  • the state takes only finds of outstanding (in Brandenburg, any) scientific value, or from state investigations or protected zones (and in most of them from unpermitted searches), in Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia
  • several states (for example Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein) pay no reward for finds from unpermitted searches; Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Thuringia set no reward at all
  • ordinary lost property must be reported to the owner or the lost-property office, and becomes the finder's six months after the report if no one claims it (BGB §§ 965, 973); the finder's reward is 5% of the first €500 and 3% above (§ 971)
What the rule says
“Wird eine Sache, die so lange verborgen gelegen hat, dass der Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist (Schatz), entdeckt und infolge der Entdeckung in Besitz genommen, so wird das Eigentum zur Hälfte von dem Entdecker, zur Hälfte von dem Eigentümer der Sache erworben, in welcher der Schatz verborgen war.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Every German state requires anyone who finds a possible archaeological monument to report it without delay to the state's heritage authorities and to leave the find and the spot alone for a few days, usually between three working days and a week.

  • report to the lower heritage authority (district or city) or the state heritage or archaeology office; many states also accept the town hall
  • the duty usually also falls on the landowner and on whoever runs the works that led to the find
  • how long to leave the spot: three working days in Hamburg; four working days in Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg; until the fourth day in Saxony; five working days in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania; a week in most others; up to four weeks in Schleswig-Holstein (see the region list)
  • states can require finds to be lent for study, for example up to six months in North Rhine-Westphalia
  • not reporting is an administrative offense in every state act read
  • ordinary lost property must be reported to the loser or owner, or, if they are unknown, to the lost-property office unless it is worth €10 or less (BGB § 965)
What the rule says
“Wer Bodendenkmäler entdeckt, ist verpflichtet, dies unverzüglich der Unteren Denkmalbehörde oder dem zuständigen Denkmalfachamt anzuzeigen.”

Beaches & foreshore

Varies by site

Germany's North Sea and Baltic beaches belong to the northern states, and their search rules cover the beach too. Schleswig-Holstein makes it easy with a beach-search permit for designated bathing beaches that is basically always granted; Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania offers nothing comparable.

  • Schleswig-Holstein: a general Strandsuchgenehmigung (beach-search permit) from the state archaeology office covers designated bathing beaches on the North Sea, the Baltic and inland lakes, for modern lost objects; no course needed, and it is basically always granted
  • beach owners or leaseholders can still bar detecting on some beaches or at some times; archaeological finds from the sand must still be reported
  • Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: a permit is needed everywhere, and the state office issues no special certificates even for lost wedding rings or modern coins
  • Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hamburg make no beach exception, so their search permit rules apply on the beach
  • inland lake beaches follow their state's rule (no permit in Bavaria except on listed ground monuments)
What the rule says
“Bei einer sogenannten „Strandsuchgenehmigung” handelt es sich um eine denkmalrechtliche Genehmigung des ALSH ... die grundsätzlich immer erteilt wird.”

Protected monuments

Research permits only

Detecting on German monuments is effectively closed: Bavaria bans detectors on listed ground monuments outright except for professional work, and the heritage offices that publish their permit rules leave monuments and excavation protection zones out of hobby permits.

  • Bavaria: detectors banned on ground monuments in the monument list; an exception only for legitimate professional purposes (BayDSchG Art. 7(7))
  • Schleswig-Holstein: searching on protected archaeological monuments or in excavation protection zones is normally not permitted, even for certified detectorists
  • Rhineland-Palatinate: unless a map says otherwise, search permits exclude excavation protection zones and published immovable monuments
  • everywhere: changing or digging into a protected monument needs a separate heritage permit, and in excavation protection zones any work that could endanger monuments needs one
What the rule says
“Auf in der Denkmalliste nach Art. 2 Abs. 1 verzeichneten Bodendenkmälern ist der Einsatz technischer Ortungsgeräte, die geeignet sind, Denkmäler im Erdreich aufzufinden, verboten. ... Eine Erlaubnis kann nur für berechtigte berufliche Zwecke erteilt werden.”

National parks & nature reserves

Varies by site

Assume no in national parks and nature reserves. Federal law bans anything that could damage or alter a nature reserve, under each reserve's own rules, and national parks are protected the same way; the state heritage permit rules apply on top.

  • Bundesnaturschutzgesetz (federal nature conservation act) § 23(2): all acts that could destroy, damage or alter a nature reserve are banned, as detailed in each reserve's ordinance; some states deviate from this sentence by their own law
  • § 24(3): national parks are to be protected like nature reserves
  • digging holes alters the ground, so expect a reserve's ordinance to rule detecting out; check it and ask the reserve authority
  • the state heritage permit rules still apply (see the region list)
What the rule says
“Alle Handlungen, die zu einer Zerstörung, Beschädigung oder Veränderung des Naturschutzgebiets oder seiner Bestandteile oder zu einer nachhaltigen Störung führen können, sind nach Maßgabe näherer Bestimmungen verboten.”

Forests

Varies by site

Assume no in state forests. Federal law lets everyone walk in the woods but leaves the details to the states. Where states publish their permit rules (Schleswig-Holstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, often Lower Saxony) forests are left out; Bavaria needs no heritage permit, but the forest owner's and forest law's rules still apply.

  • Bundeswaldgesetz (federal forest act) § 14: entering forests for recreation is allowed; the states regulate the details
  • Schleswig-Holstein: searching in forests is normally not permitted, even for certified detectorists
  • Rhineland-Palatinate: unless a map says otherwise, search permits exclude forests, meadows and closed vegetation
  • Lower Saxony: permits often ban searching in forests
  • Baden-Württemberg: detectorists in forests are treated as suspected illegal searchers
  • the state forest services' own rules were not read
What the rule says
“Die Suche in Wäldern, auf geschützten, archäologischen Kulturdenkmalen, in Grabungsschutzgebieten und unter Wasser wird grundsätzlich nicht genehmigt.”

Private land

Varies by site

On private land you always need the landowner's permission, and outside Bavaria the state's heritage rules apply on top: the owner's yes never replaces a search permit.

  • the owner can exclude others from any use of their property (BGB § 903)
  • Schleswig-Holstein: it makes no difference whether the land is public or private; the owner's permission alone is not enough
  • Lower Saxony: the landowner's permission is needed in addition to the permit and does not replace it
  • Baden-Württemberg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: the heritage act applies whoever owns the land
  • in the states where hobbyists generally get no permit, private land is no exception
  • Bavaria: the owner's permission is enough outside listed ground monuments, but digging for ground monuments needs a heritage permit
  • under most state laws, a significant find may belong to the state, not to you or the landowner
  • in short: a state permit plus the owner's permission in nine states, research only in six, the owner's permission alone in Bavaria
What the rule says
“Es ist daher unerheblich, ob die Suche auf öffentlichem oder privatem Grund geplant ist. Eine eventuell bereits erteilte Erlaubnis des Grundstückseigentümers reicht allein nicht aus, denn sie ersetzt nicht die erforderliche denkmalrechtliche Genehmigung.”

Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological and historic sites are protected, and you must fill every hole and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the land manager.

State by state

Each of Germany’s 16 states (Länder) writes its own heritage law, so the detector rule changes at every state line. Here is each state’s own rulebook, in its own words.

Baden-Württemberg

Research permits only

Hobby detecting in Baden-Württemberg is effectively closed: any planned search for cultural monuments needs a permit from the State Office for Monument Protection, and it says private people searching for personal interest or leisure as a rule don't get one.

  • Denkmalschutzgesetz § 21: searches, especially digs, aimed at discovering cultural monuments need a permit, issued by the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege with the regional council
  • the office counts every planned search as one, even systematic field walking without devices
  • the act applies whoever owns the land and whatever the owner says
  • the only route to a sanctioned detector search is a commission from the office to sweep land already planned for development, at most 30 cm deep, usually for six months, but the programme has taken no new people since 1 November 2024
  • searching without a permit is an administrative offense; the office's pages give different fine ceilings: up to €500,000 ('Raubgräber und Sondengänger') and up to €50,000, or €250,000 in especially serious cases ('Metallsondenprospektion'); finds can be confiscated
  • detectorists in fields and especially in forests are treated as suspected illegal searchers
What the rule says
“Privatpersonen, die aus persönlichem Interesse oder zum Zweck der Freizeitgestaltung genehmigungspflichtige Nachforschungen durchführen wollen erhalten i. d. R. keine Nachforschungsgenehmigung.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Baden-Württemberg's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property if they turn up in state investigations or excavation protection zones, or are of outstanding scientific value. Otherwise finder and landowner share them under the federal treasure rule.

  • the state archaeology office restates § 23 this way; the act's own text could not be read
  • finds outside § 23 belong half to the finder and, usually, half to the landowner
  • finds from illegal searches can be confiscated where the offender became their sole owner (§ 27(3))
  • no reward rule was found in the sources read
What the rule says
“Denn bewegliche Kulturdenkmale, die herrenlos sind oder die so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie bei staatlichen Nachforschungen oder in Grabungsschutzgebieten entdeckt werden oder wenn sie einen hervorragenden wissenschaftlichen Wert haben.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Finds in Baden-Württemberg that may be monuments must be reported without delay to a heritage authority or the town, and the find and the spot left unchanged until the end of the fourth working day after the report.

  • the state archaeology office restates § 20(1) this way; the act's own text could not be read
  • the office asks that finds stay in the ground in their original position where possible
  • report to the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege or the town
What the rule says
“Der Fund und die Fundstelle sind bis zum Ablauf des vierten Werktages nach der Anzeige in unverändertem Zustand zu erhalten.”

Bavaria

Allowed

Bavaria needs no heritage permit just to search with a metal detector, but using one on a ground monument in the Denkmalliste (monument list) is banned outright, and a permit for that is only granted for professional purposes.

  • no general search permit: the Bayerisches Denkmalschutzgesetz (heritage protection act) only regulates digging and ground monuments
  • on ground monuments (Bodendenkmäler) listed in the Denkmalliste, any use of locating devices able to find monuments in the ground is banned; an exception is only possible for legitimate professional purposes (Art. 7(7))
  • digging for ground monuments, or digging where you know, suspect or should assume they lie, needs a permit (Erlaubnis) (Art. 7(1))
  • using a detector on a listed ground monument without permission is an administrative offense (fines of up to €5 million apply to the act's offenses)
  • you still need the landowner's permission
What the rule says
“Auf in der Denkmalliste nach Art. 2 Abs. 1 verzeichneten Bodendenkmälern ist der Einsatz technischer Ortungsgeräte, die geeignet sind, Denkmäler im Erdreich aufzufinden, verboten. ... Eine Erlaubnis kann nur für berechtigte berufliche Zwecke erteilt werden.”

Digging

Permit required

In Bavaria, digging for ground monuments, or digging anywhere you know, suspect or should assume they lie, needs a permit (Erlaubnis) from the heritage authorities, and it can be refused to protect a monument.

  • applies to anyone digging for ground monuments, and to other earthworks where monuments are known or suspected (Art. 7(1))
  • the permit can be refused where that is needed to protect a ground monument (Art. 7(1))
  • digging without the permit is an administrative offense
What the rule says
“Wer auf einem Grundstück nach Bodendenkmälern graben oder zu einem anderen Zweck Erdarbeiten auf einem Grundstück vornehmen will, obwohl er weiß oder vermutet oder den Umständen nach annehmen muß, daß sich dort Bodendenkmäler befinden, bedarf der Erlaubnis.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

Since July 2023 Bavaria has a Schatzregal (state treasure right): movable ground monuments whose owner can no longer be traced become the property of the Free State the moment they are found, and must be handed to the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection.

  • applies whether or not the find spot is in the monument list (Art. 9(1))
  • hand the find over without delay to the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege (Art. 9(1))
  • the landowner can claim compensation and a finder who is not the landowner a finder's reward under § 971 BGB, but not for objects worth less than €1,000 or found or recovered illegally (Art. 9(2)-(3))
  • the claims arise 24 months after handover and lapse if the state hands the object back, half each, to the finder and landowner (Art. 9(4))
  • finds made before 1 July 2023 follow the old law (Art. 9(6))
What the rule says
“Bewegliche Bodendenkmäler oder Teile davon, die herrenlos oder so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden unabhängig von einer Eintragung nach Art. 2 Abs. 1 mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Freistaates Bayern.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you find a ground monument in Bavaria, report it without delay to the lower heritage authority or the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection, and leave the find and the spot untouched for a week.

  • the finder, the landowner and occupier, and whoever runs the works that led to the find must all report; one report covers everyone (Art. 8(1))
  • report to the Untere Denkmalschutzbehörde (district or city) or the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege
  • leave the objects and the find spot unchanged until a week after the report, unless the authority releases them sooner (Art. 8(2))
  • not reporting promptly, or disturbing the find spot, is an administrative offense
What the rule says
“Wer Bodendenkmäler auffindet, ist verpflichtet, dies unverzüglich der Unteren Denkmalschutzbehörde oder dem Landesamt für Denkmalpflege anzuzeigen.”

Berlin

Research permits only

Berlin's heritage act requires a permit to dig for ground monuments, and the State Monuments Office says it generally gives private people no permit to search for them: detector survey permits go to specialist firms, archaeological institutions or otherwise trained staff.

  • Denkmalschutzgesetz Berlin § 3(3): digging for ground monuments needs a permit from the competent heritage authority
  • the office applies this to detecting and to magnet fishing
  • anyone searching legally can identify themselves and should carry the permit
  • the office warns of fines of up to €500,000 or prison, and prosecution for keeping finds
What the rule says
“bittet das Landedenkmalamt Berlin um Verständnis, dass an Privatpersonen in der Regel keine Genehmigungen zur Suche nach Bodendenkmalen erteilt werden.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

Berlin has the 'large' Schatzregal (state treasure right): movable ground monuments whose owners can no longer be traced become the property of the State of Berlin the moment they are found.

  • the State Monuments Office quotes § 3(2) this way and says all ground finds belong to Berlin
  • keeping finds can be prosecuted as theft by finding
  • no reward rule was found in the sources read
What the rule says
“§ 3 (2) „Bewegliche Bodendenkmale, deren Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln sind, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes Berlin.“”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you discover a ground monument in Berlin, stop work at the spot at once and report it without delay to the district's lower heritage authority; the State Monuments Office also asks to be told.

  • single finds can be ground monuments and must be reported
  • how long the spot must stay untouched was not in the sources read
What the rule says
“§ 3 (1) „Wer ein Bodendenkmal entdeckt, hat die Arbeiten an der Fundstelle sofort einzustellen und die Entdeckung unverzüglich der unteren Denkmalschutzbehörde anzuzeigen.“”

Brandenburg

Permit required

In Brandenburg, searching for ground monuments with technical aids such as a metal detector needs a permit from the state heritage office.

  • the permit (Erlaubnis) comes from the Denkmalfachbehörde, the Brandenburgisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologisches Landesmuseum (state heritage office) (§ 10(1))
  • it must be granted if ground monuments and research sources are not endangered, or if there is an overriding public interest (§ 10(2))
  • searching without it is an administrative offense with fines of up to €500,000, and the objects can be confiscated (§ 26)
What the rule says
“Wer nach Bodendenkmalen zielgerichtet mit technischen Hilfsmitteln suchen, nach Bodendenkmalen graben oder Bodendenkmale aus einem Gewässer bergen will, bedarf der Erlaubnis der Denkmalfachbehörde.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Brandenburg's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property only if they turn up in archaeological investigations, excavation protection zones or unauthorized searches, or are of value to science. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • state-owned finds must be handed to the state heritage office without delay (§ 12(1))
  • the finder of a chance find that becomes state property gets a fair cash reward, but not if it came from an unauthorized search (§ 12(2))
  • finds that do not fall under § 12 follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“Bewegliche Denkmale und bewegliche Bodendenkmale, die herrenlos sind oder die so lange verborgen waren, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes und sind unverzüglich an die Denkmalfachbehörde zu übergeben, wenn sie bei archäologischen Untersuchungen, in Grabungsschutzgebieten oder bei unerlaubten Nachforschungen entdeckt werden oder wenn sie für die wissenschaftliche Forschung von Wert sind.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you discover a possible monument in Brandenburg, report it without delay to the heritage authority and keep the find and the spot unchanged for a week.

  • the finder, the person entitled to the land and the site manager must report; one report covers all (§ 11(2))
  • keep the find and spot unchanged and protected for a week after the report; the authority can extend this (§ 11(3))
  • the state heritage office may take the find for study (§ 11(4))
  • not reporting is an administrative offense (§ 26)
What the rule says
“Deren Entdeckung ist unverzüglich der Denkmalschutzbehörde anzuzeigen.”

Bremen

Permit required

In Bremen, digging for ground monuments or searching for them with technical aids such as a metal detector needs written permission from the Landesarchäologie (state archaeology office).

  • the written permit (Genehmigung) comes from the Landesarchäologie (§ 16(1))
  • the same applies to searching for and recovering monuments from water (§ 16(1))
  • it can come with conditions on the dig and on reporting and keeping finds (§ 16(2))
  • anyone who digs without permission must restore the ground on request (§ 16(1))
  • violations are administrative offenses with fines of up to €100,000, or €500,000 in serious cases (§ 22)
What the rule says
“Wer nach Bodendenkmälern gräbt oder diese mit technischen Hilfsmitteln sucht, bedarf hierfür der schriftlichen Genehmigung der Landesarchäologie.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Bremen's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property if they turn up in state investigations, excavation protection zones or unpermitted digs or searches, or are of outstanding scientific value. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • the state may pass state-owned finds to a museum or transfer ownership to the finder, the developer or the landowner (§ 19(2))
  • finds must be lent to the heritage office for study if it asks, for up to 12 months (§ 18)
  • finds that do not fall under § 19 follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“Bewegliche Kulturdenkmäler, die herrenlos sind oder die solange verborgen waren, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie bei staatlichen Nachforschungen, in Grabungsschutzgebieten oder bei nicht genehmigten Grabungen oder Suchen entdeckt werden oder wenn sie einen hervorragenden wissenschaftlichen Wert besitzen.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you may have found a cultural monument in Bremen, tell a heritage office without delay and leave the find and the spot as they are for up to a week.

  • the finder, landowner and site manager must report; one report covers all (§ 15(2))
  • leave the find and spot unchanged until the office releases them, at most a week after your report (§ 15(3))
  • the office may enter the site and recover the find (§ 15(4))
What the rule says
“Wer Anlass zu der Annahme hat, eine Sache entdeckt oder gefunden zu haben, die ein Kulturdenkmal oder Überreste oder Spuren eines solchen sein oder beinhalten kann, hat dies unverzüglich einer Denkmalfachbehörde mitzuteilen.”

Hamburg

Permit required

In Hamburg, using technical search devices to discover ground monuments needs a permit from the competent authority, the Archäologisches Museum Hamburg's archaeological heritage department.

  • the act names detectors: discovering ground monuments 'using technical search devices' needs a permit (§ 14(1))
  • the competent authority (zuständige Stelle) is the Archäologisches Museum Hamburg, Bodendenkmalpflege
  • in excavation protection zones every measure that could endanger ground monuments needs a permit (§ 16)
  • searching without a permit is an administrative offense with fines of up to €500,000, and finds can be confiscated (§ 27)
  • no official statement on how often hobby permits are granted was found
What the rule says
“Wer Bodendenkmäler ausgraben, aus einem Gewässer bergen oder unter Einsatz von technischen Suchgeräten entdecken will, bedarf der Genehmigung der zuständigen Stelle.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

Hamburg has an unconditional Schatzregal (state treasure right): any monument (Denkmal) that lay hidden in the ground so long that its owner can't be traced becomes the property of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg the moment it is found.

  • no longer limited to finds of outstanding scientific value, and it covers all monuments, not just ground monuments (2013 rationale)
  • report the find to the competent authority without delay (§ 17(3))
  • the act sets no finder's reward
What the rule says
“Denkmäler, die so lange im Boden verborgen gewesen sind, dass die Eigentümerin oder der Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If digging or anything else turns up something in Hamburg that could be an unknown ground monument, the finder and the person entitled to the land must report it without delay, and work may not continue for three working days.

  • the site manager has the same duty (§ 17(2))
  • report to the Archäologisches Museum Hamburg (it provides a find-report form)
  • outside a permitted dig, work may not resume for three days after the report, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, unless the authority allows it (§ 17(4))
  • movable finds must be lent to the authority for study (§ 18)
  • not reporting is an administrative offense (§ 27(3))
What the rule says
“Werden bei Erdarbeiten, Baggerungen oder anderen Gelegenheiten Sachen oder Sachteile gefunden, bei denen Anlass zu der Annahme besteht, dass es sich um bisher unbekannte Bodendenkmäler handeln kann, so haben die Finderin oder der Finder und die oder der Verfügungsberechtigte den Fund unverzüglich anzuzeigen”

Hesse

Permit required

In Hesse, any search aimed at discovering ground monuments, detecting included, needs a permit from the state heritage office, the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen.

  • the permit (Genehmigung) comes from the Denkmalfachbehörde, the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen (§ 22)
  • the act does not name detectors, but a detector search for finds is a search aimed at discovering ground monuments
  • searching without a permit is an administrative offense with fines of up to €25,000 (§ 28)
  • from 1 January 2027 an amendment already promulgated keeps the permit rule as § 23 and raises the fine ceiling to €500,000
What the rule says
“Nachforschungen, insbesondere Grabungen, mit dem Ziel, Bodendenkmäler zu entdecken, bedürfen der Genehmigung der Denkmalfachbehörde.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Hesse's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property if they are of outstanding scientific value, turn up in state investigations or excavation protection zones, or come from unauthorized searches. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • when the state takes a find of outstanding value or from a state dig, the finder and the landowner can each claim half of a finder's premium, applied for within two years (§ 25(2))
  • finds from unauthorized searches become state property with no premium
  • finds that do not fall under § 25 follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
  • from 1 January 2027 the excavation-protection-zone trigger is dropped (amending act of 22 June 2026)
What the rule says
“Bodendenkmäler, die als bewegliche Sachen herrenlos oder so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihre Eigentümerin oder ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit ihrer Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie 1. einen hervorragenden wissenschaftlichen Wert haben, 2. bei staatlichen Nachforschungen oder in Grabungsschutzgebieten entdeckt werden oder 3. bei unerlaubten Nachforschungen entdeckt werden.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you discover a ground monument in Hesse, report it without delay to the state heritage office (or the town or lower heritage authority, who pass it on) and keep the find and the spot unchanged for a week.

  • the finder, the landowner and the site manager must report (§ 21(2))
  • keep the find and the spot unchanged and protected for a week after the report (§ 21(3))
  • the heritage office may recover the find and take it for study for a time (§ 21(4))
  • not reporting promptly is an administrative offense
  • from 1 January 2027 this section becomes § 22, unchanged (amending act of 22 June 2026)
What the rule says
“Wer Bodendenkmäler entdeckt, hat dies unverzüglich der Denkmalfachbehörde anzuzeigen.”

Lower Saxony

Permit required

In Lower Saxony, searching for cultural monuments with technical aids such as a metal detector needs a permit from the heritage authority, and getting one usually means taking the state's training course for detectorists first.

  • the permit (Genehmigung) comes from the Denkmalschutzbehörde (§ 12(1)); the brochure says you apply to the lower heritage authority (UDB) for the area you want to search
  • it must be refused if the search would break the act or interfere with state research (§ 12(2))
  • a district-and-ministry brochure says applicants take a theory and a practical course run with the State Office for Monument Protection, and that permits usually limit digging depth and often ban searching in forests
  • you also need the landowner's permission, which does not replace the permit
  • violations are administrative offenses with fines of up to €250,000 (§ 35)
What the rule says
“Wer nach Kulturdenkmalen graben, Kulturdenkmale aus einem Gewässer bergen oder mit technischen Hilfsmitteln nach Kulturdenkmalen suchen will, bedarf einer Genehmigung der Denkmalschutzbehörde.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Lower Saxony's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property only if they turn up in state investigations or excavation protection zones, or are of outstanding scientific value. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • the finder should get a reward, within the state budget; the State Office sets the amount (§ 18)
  • the state can transfer ownership to the landowner (§ 18)
  • finds must be lent to the heritage authority for up to twelve months if it asks (§ 15)
  • finds that do not fall under § 18 follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“Bewegliche Denkmale gemäß § 3 Abs. 5, die herrenlos oder so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes Niedersachsen, wenn sie bei staatlichen Nachforschungen oder in Grabungsschutzgebieten gemäß § 16 entdeckt ... werden oder wenn sie einen hervorragenden wissenschaftlichen Wert besitzen.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you find something in the ground or in water in Lower Saxony that could be a cultural monument, report it without delay to a heritage authority, the town, or a volunteer archaeology representative, and leave it untouched for four working days.

  • the site manager, contractor, landowner and occupier must report too; one report covers all (§ 14(1))
  • leave the find and the spot unchanged and protected until four working days after the report (§ 14(2))
  • the state heritage office may recover the find (§ 14(3))
  • not reporting is an administrative offense (§ 35)
What the rule says
“Wer in der Erde oder im Wasser Sachen oder Spuren findet, bei denen Anlaß zu der Annahme gegeben ist, daß sie Kulturdenkmale sind (Bodenfunde), hat dies unverzüglich einer Denkmalbehörde, der Gemeinde oder einem Beauftragten für die archäologische Denkmalpflege (§ 22) anzuzeigen.”

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Research permits only

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, intentionally using a metal detector without a permit from the culture ministry is a crime. The state archaeology office issues no certificates for hobby searches, not even for lost rings, and points would-be detectorists to its volunteer heritage warden route: about two years of training, then work on a state commission.

  • Denkmalschutzgesetz § 12(1) (since 31 December 2025): using measuring and search devices able to find ground monuments needs a permit from the supreme heritage authority (the culture ministry), everywhere, whatever the land
  • the heritage office issues no special certificates even for looking for a lost wedding ring or modern coins
  • the route in: talk to the state archaeology office, take the 'Methods of field walking' course and further training; volunteers get an ID with a detector endorsement valid for five years in a set region
  • volunteers' finds belong to the state
  • intentionally searching without a permit: up to two years in prison or a fine, and the detector can be confiscated (§ 26)
  • whether the ministry grants § 12 permits to private hobbyists was not found in the sources read
What the rule says
“Ehrenamtliche Bodendenkmalpfleger erhalten bei ihrer Ernennung einen Ausweis mit einem Einlegeblatt, in dem für die Dauer von fünf Jahren bescheinigt wird, dass der Auftrag zur Erfassung der Bodendenkmale in einer bestimmten Region auch unter Zuhilfenahme eines Metalldetektors erfolgen darf.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property if they turn up in state investigations, excavation protection zones or unpermitted digs or searches, or are of outstanding scientific value. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • finds made by volunteer wardens count as state investigations, so they belong to the state
  • the 2025 act extended the rule to finds from unpermitted digs and searches
  • the act sets no finder's reward
  • finds that do not fall under § 13 follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“„§ 13 Schatzregal Bewegliche Denkmale, die herrenlos sind oder die so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie bei staatlichen Nachforschungen, in Grabungsschutzgebieten oder bei ungenehmigten Grabungen oder Nachforschungen entdeckt werden oder wenn sie einen hervorragenden wissenschaftlichen Wert haben.“”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Possible monuments found in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania must be reported without delay to the lower heritage authority, by the finder, the site manager, the landowner and even a chance witness who sees what it is; the find and the spot stay untouched for five working days.

  • report to the district's lower heritage authority, which passes it to the state office
  • keep the find and the spot unchanged; the duty ends five working days after the report arrives (a week for a written report); the authority can extend it (§ 11(3), unchanged in 2025, read in a non-official reprint)
  • not reporting is an administrative offense with fines of up to €150,000 (§ 27)
What the rule says
“bb) Satz 2 wird wie folgt gefasst: „Anzeigepflicht besteht für ... die Entdeckerin oder den Entdecker, ... die Leitung der Arbeiten, ... die Grundeigentümer und ... zufällige Zeuginnen oder Zeugen, die die Bedeutung des Fundes erkennen.“”

North Rhine-Westphalia

Permit required

In North Rhine-Westphalia, using any search device able to find ground monuments needs a permit from the upper heritage authority, and it only goes to people the authority considers reliable.

  • the permit (Erlaubnis) comes from the Obere Denkmalbehörde (upper heritage authority): the Bezirksregierung or, for most county towns, the Landrat (§ 15(1), § 20)
  • it is granted if heritage interests do not stand in the way and research sources are not endangered (§ 15(3))
  • it is refused to anyone who has repeatedly or seriously broken the act (§ 15(4)), and may come with conditions on the search, digging and finds (§ 15(5))
  • carry the permit or a copy while searching and show it on request (§ 15(6))
  • digging for or recovering ground monuments needs the same permit (§ 15(1))
  • searching without a permit is an administrative offense with fines of up to €500,000 (§ 41)
What the rule says
“(1) Der Erlaubnis der Oberen Denkmalbehörde bedürfen 1. das Verwenden von Mess- und Suchgeräten, die geeignet sind, Bodendenkmäler aufzufinden, ohne dazu nach anderen Rechtsvorschriften befugt zu sein, 2. das Graben nach Bodendenkmälern sowie 3. die Bergung von Bodendenkmälern.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

North Rhine-Westphalia has a Schatzregal (state treasure right): movable ground monuments whose owner can't be traced belong to the state from the moment they are found, and must be reported and handed in.

  • report and hand the find to the lower heritage authority or the heritage office without delay (§ 18(1))
  • the state may pass ownership to the local authority, the landowner or the finder (§ 18(1))
  • people who hand finds in should get a fair cash reward, but normally not if the find came from an unauthorized search (§ 18(2))
What the rule says
“Bewegliche Bodendenkmäler, die herrenlos sind oder die solange verborgen waren, dass die Eigentümerin oder der Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes. Sie sind unverzüglich der Unteren Denkmalbehörde oder dem zuständigen Denkmalfachamt zu melden und zu übergeben.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Found a ground monument in North Rhine-Westphalia? Report it without delay to the lower heritage authority or the heritage office, leave the find spot untouched for a week, and lend the find to the state for study if asked.

  • the finder, landowner, occupier, contractor and site manager must report; one report covers all (§ 16(1))
  • leave the find and the spot unchanged for a week after the report unless released sooner (§ 16(2))
  • finds must be lent to the state and the heritage office for up to six months for study (§ 17)
  • not reporting is an administrative offense (§ 41)
What the rule says
“Wer Bodendenkmäler entdeckt, ist verpflichtet, dies unverzüglich der Unteren Denkmalbehörde oder dem zuständigen Denkmalfachamt anzuzeigen.”

Rhineland-Palatinate

Permit required

In Rhineland-Palatinate, walking fields with a treasure-search device needs a search permit, and places are rationed: the state archaeology office takes a limited number of new applicants a year, picked by lottery and trained before they get one.

  • the act names detectors: searches, 'especially field walking with treasure-search devices', need a permit (§ 21(1))
  • the permit comes from the lower heritage authority (district or city) with the agreement of the state archaeology office (GDKE) (§ 21(1))
  • 52 places for new applicants statewide in 2027; apply by 15 October, then a lottery and a training course
  • unless the permit's map says otherwise, it excludes excavation protection zones, published immovable monuments, forests, meadows and closed vegetation
  • no digging below the plow layer (or the humus topsoil elsewhere); record every find with a handheld GPS
  • a permit holder may not sell or trade finds; the permit gives no rights against landowners or tenants
  • searching without a permit: fine up to €125,000, and objects can be confiscated (§ 33)
What the rule says
“(1) Nachforschungen, insbesondere Geländebegehungen mit Schatzsuchgeräten sowie Ausgrabun-...gen, mit dem Ziel, Kulturdenkmäler zu entdecken, bedürfen der Genehmigung der unteren Denkmalschutzbehörde.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Rhineland-Palatinate's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property only if they are of special scientific importance or turn up in state investigations or excavation protection zones. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • the finder should get a reward within the state budget; the heritage office sets it (§ 20(2))
  • everything found in an excavation protection zone automatically falls to the state
  • permit holders must present and hand over all finds, whatever their age or condition; the act decides what happens to them
  • finds that do not fall under § 20 follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“(1) Funde, die herrenlos sind oder die so lange verborgen waren, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu...ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie von besonderer wissen-...schaftlicher Bedeutung sind oder bei staatlichen Nachforschungen oder in Grabungsschutzgebieten...( § 22 ) entdeckt werden.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Finds in Rhineland-Palatinate must be reported without delay to the state heritage office (or via the district, municipal association or town hall), and the find and the spot left untouched for a week.

  • the finder, landowner, others entitled to the land, the occupier and the site manager must report; one report covers all (§ 17(2))
  • report orally, in writing or electronically (§ 17(1), as amended in December 2024)
  • keep the find and the spot unchanged for a week after the report, and protect them where reasonable (§ 18(1))
  • hand movable finds to the heritage office without delay if they could go missing (§ 18(2))
  • not reporting promptly is an administrative offense (§ 33)
What the rule says
“(1) Funde ( § 16 ) sind unverzüglich der Denkmalfachbehörde mündlich ... anzuzeigen.”

Saarland

Research permits only

Detecting in Saarland needs a permit from the State Heritage Office, the only body that issues one, and it grants them only in special cases that serve heritage protection, working with its own staff. Your best chance is helping on one of its projects.

  • Saarländisches Denkmalschutzgesetz § 8(1): digging for, recovering from water, or deliberately searching for ground monuments with technical aids such as a metal detector needs a permit
  • anyone 18 or over may apply in writing with personal details, the project, financing (including restoring finds), the area and the dates
  • permits are limited in space and time and are granted subject to the landowner's (and tenant's) consent
  • ground monuments include single finds such as coins, from the Stone Age up to the end of World War II
  • searching without a permit: fine up to €250,000 (§ 28)
  • magnet fishing usually needs no permit, but deliberately fishing for ground monuments is not allowed
What the rule says
“Räumlich und zeitlich befristete Genehmigungen zur Suche nach Artefakten und Bodendenkmälern mit technischen Hilfsmitteln erteilt das Landesdenkmalamt in speziellen Bedarfsfällen, die in besonderer Weise dem Denkmalschutz dienen, unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen und in Zusammenarbeit mit einer Mitarbeiterin oder einem Mitarbeiter des Landesdenkmalamtes bzw. einem Denkmalbeauftragten.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

In Saarland, ground monuments become state property the moment they are found if they have scientific value, and the State Heritage Office says the owner of finds is usually the state. Keeping such a find can be prosecuted as theft by finding.

  • the office restates SDSchG § 18 this way; the act's own text could not be read
  • not handing in a state-owned find is treated as embezzlement against the state, a crime
  • finds without scientific value follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“Bodendenkmäler werden mit ihrer Entdeckung Eigentum des Saarlandes, wenn sie einen wissenschaftlichen Wert haben (§ 18 SDSchG ).”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Any find in Saarland that is, or might be, a ground monument must be reported to the State Heritage Office, and the find spot must not be changed and must be secured.

  • the office restates SDSchG § 16 this way; the act's own text could not be read
  • report on suspicion too
  • not reporting can lead to administrative-offense proceedings (§ 28)
What the rule says
“Wird ein Fund entdeckt, so besteht – auch im Verdachtsfall – eine Meldepflicht nach § 16 Abs. 1 SDSchG . Die Fundstelle darf nicht verändert und muss gesichert werden nach § 16 Abs. 2 SDSchG .”

Saxony

Permit required

In Saxony any search aimed at finding cultural monuments, detecting included, needs a written permit from the Saxon State Office for Archaeology, plus a Nachforschungsschein (search card) that comes with a free training course.

  • the permit comes from the zuständige Fachbehörde, the Landesamt für Archäologie Sachsen (§ 14(2))
  • the office says every detector search needs written permission, whether on a known site or any other public or private ground
  • you also need its Nachforschungsschein, which requires a free training course
  • removing a find from its surroundings needs a separate permit from the heritage authority (§ 12)
  • digging to discover monuments without a permit is a crime (up to two years in prison or a fine, § 35); other unpermitted searching is an administrative offense with fines of up to €125,000, or €500,000 in serious cases (§ 36)
What the rule says
“Nachforschungen, insbesondere Grabungen, mit dem Ziel, Kulturdenkmale zu entdecken, bedürfen der Genehmigung der zuständigen Fachbehörde.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

Saxony has a Schatzregal (state treasure right): movable cultural monuments whose owner can't be traced belong to the Free State from the moment they are found, must be reported and handed in, and the finder is owed a fair reward.

  • report and hand the find to the State Office without delay (§ 25(1))
  • the finder is entitled to a reasonable reward; the State Office sets it with the ministry (§ 25(2))
What the rule says
“Bewegliche Kulturdenkmale, die herrenlos oder so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Freistaates Sachsen und sind unverzüglich an die zuständige Fachbehörde zu melden und zu übergeben.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you find something in Saxony that could be a cultural monument, report it without delay to a heritage authority and keep the find and the spot unchanged until the end of the fourth day after your report.

  • the finder, landowner, occupier and site manager must report (§ 20(2))
  • keep the find and find spot unchanged and secured until the end of the fourth day after the report (§ 20(1))
  • the State Office may recover and study the find (§ 20(4))
  • the State Office says the age of the object does not matter: modern finds can matter too
What the rule says
“Wer Sachen, Sachgesamtheiten, Teile oder Spuren von Sachen entdeckt, von denen anzunehmen ist, dass es sich um Kulturdenkmale handelt, hat dies unverzüglich einer Denkmalschutzbehörde anzuzeigen.”

Saxony-Anhalt

Research permits only

Saxony-Anhalt's rules tell the authorities to refuse a search permit whenever collecting or leisure is the main interest, so hobby detecting is closed. People who want to help can become volunteer representatives of the state heritage office, which may let them use a detector.

  • Denkmalschutzgesetz § 14(3): anyone who wants to search for monuments needs a permit from the lower heritage authority, issued in agreement with the state heritage office
  • the official guidance counts detector use, planned field walking and even drones as searching
  • searches by the state heritage office, and so by its volunteer representatives, need no permit; volunteers may use a detector if their authorization allows it, carry their ID, and arrange access with owners and tenants
  • keeping a find that belongs to the state is embezzlement
  • the act was amended on 8 July 2026; that amendment was not read
What the rule says
“Eine Genehmigung ist zu versagen, wenn bei der beantragten Nachforschung die Sammlerleidenschaft oder das Freizeitinteresse des Antragstellers im Vordergrund steht.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Saxony-Anhalt's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property if they turn up in state investigations or excavation protection zones, or are of outstanding scientific value, and those who hand them in may get a cash reward. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • the reward, if any, follows the find's scientific value (§ 12(1))
  • for other movable finds, the state and local authorities can demand handover within six months against fair compensation (§ 12(2))
  • finds that do not fall under § 12(1) follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“(1) Bewegliche Kulturdenkmale, die herrenlos sind oder die so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie bei staatlichen Nachforschungen oder in Grabungsschutzgebieten entdeckt werden oder wenn sie einen hervorragenden wissenschaftlichen Wert haben.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Finds in Saxony-Anhalt that could be monuments must be reported without delay to the lower heritage authority, and the find and the spot left unchanged for a week.

  • the finder, the person entitled to the land or the site manager must report (§ 17(3))
  • the week starts the day after the report and cannot be extended (official guidance)
  • not reporting, or disturbing the spot, is an administrative offense with fines of up to €500,000 (§ 22)
What the rule says
“(3) Bodenfunde sind entsprechend § 9 Abs. 3 durch den Finder, Verfügungsberechtigten oder den Leiter der Arbeiten unverzüglich gegenüber der unteren Denkmalschutzbehörde anzuzeigen.”

Schleswig-Holstein

Permit required

Schleswig-Holstein requires a permit for every metal detector, even on private land. On designated bathing beaches a general beach permit is basically always granted; everywhere else you need the state archaeology office's certification course first.

  • the act names search devices: using measuring and search devices able to find cultural monuments needs a permit from the upper heritage authority, the ALSH (or Lübeck's own authority in Lübeck) (§ 12(2) Nr. 5)
  • beaches: a downloadable general permit covers designated bathing beaches on the North Sea, the Baltic and inland lakes (not Lübeck's), for modern lost objects; no course needed
  • inland: a certificate of competence from the 'Schleswig model' course (three field days first; 80 places a year), then a permit and search card valid for two calendar years, for approved farmland
  • forests, protected archaeological monuments, excavation protection zones and underwater are normally not permitted, even for certified detectorists
  • get the owner's or tenant's consent first; dig no deeper than about 30 cm
  • unpermitted detecting is a crime if intentional (up to two years in prison, and the detector should be confiscated, § 19) and an administrative offense if negligent (up to €100,000, or €500,000 in serious cases, § 18)
What the rule says
“Ein Metalldetektor gilt als ein solches Mess- und Suchgerät und daher ist immer eine Genehmigung erforderlich – selbst wenn der Einsatz auf privatem Grund geplant ist.”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Schleswig-Holstein's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property if they turn up in state investigations, excavation protection zones or unpermitted digs or searches, or are of outstanding scientific value. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • the finder gets a fair reward, except for finds from state investigations or unpermitted digs and searches (§ 15(2))
  • movable finds must be lent to the ALSH for study on request (§ 15(3))
  • finds that do not fall under § 15(2) follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“(2) Bewegliche Kulturdenkmale, die herrenlos sind oder die so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihre Eigentümerinnen oder Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln sind, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie ... 3. bei nicht genehmigten Grabungen oder Suchen entdeckt werden oder”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

Whoever discovers or finds a cultural monument in Schleswig-Holstein must report it without delay to the state archaeology office, directly or through the town; the landowner, occupier and site manager must leave the find and the spot as they are, where that costs nothing significant, for up to four weeks.

  • the landowner, the occupier and the site manager must report too (§ 15(1))
  • keep the find and the spot unchanged where possible without major cost; the duty ends four weeks after the report at the latest (§ 15(1))
  • archaeological finds from beach sand must be reported too
  • not reporting is an administrative offense (§ 18)
What the rule says
“(1) Wer Kulturdenkmale entdeckt oder findet, hat dies unverzüglich unmittelbar oder über die Gemeinde der oberen Denkmalschutzbehörde mitzuteilen.”

Thuringia

Research permits only

In Thuringia, any search aimed at discovering ground monuments, metal detecting included, needs a permit from the Thuringian State Office for Monument Protection and Archaeology, and the only official word on hobby detecting is the government's own: detector searches are as a rule not permissible.

  • the permit comes from the Denkmalfachbehörde, the Thüringisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie (§ 18, as amended 2005)
  • the act does not name detectors; the 1991 bill's rationale says § 18 covers field walking and metal detecting, and that these are as a rule not permissible
  • the office's current permit practice could not be read (its website serves a CAPTCHA)
  • searching without a permit is an administrative offense with fines of up to €150,000, and the equipment can be confiscated (§ 29)
What the rule says
“Nachforschungen, insbesondere Grabungen mit dem Ziel, Bodendenkmale zu entdecken, bedürfen der Genehmigung”

Keeping finds

Varies by site

Thuringia's Schatzregal (state treasure right) is limited: ownerless finds become state property if they turn up in state investigations, archaeological protection zones or unpermitted searches, or are of outstanding scientific value. Other finds follow the federal treasure rule.

  • the act sets no finder's reward
  • for other finds, the state, the lower heritage authority and the town, in that order, can demand handover against fair compensation (§ 21(1))
  • finds that do not fall under § 17 follow § 984 BGB: half to the finder, half to the landowner
What the rule says
“Bewegliche Kulturdenkmale, die herrenlos oder so lange verborgen gewesen sind, dass ihr Eigentümer nicht mehr zu ermitteln ist, werden mit der Entdeckung Eigentum des Landes, wenn sie bei staatlichen Nachforschungen, in archäologischen Schutzgebieten oder bei ungenehmigten Nachforschungen entdeckt wurden, oder wenn sie einen hervorragenden wissenschaftlichen Wert besitzen.”

Reporting finds

Must be reported

If you discover or find a ground monument in Thuringia, report it without delay to the State Office for Monument Protection and Archaeology (or the town or lower heritage authority), and keep the find and the spot unchanged for a week.

  • the finder, the owner, occupier or other person entitled to the land, and the site manager must report (§ 16(2))
  • keep the find and spot unchanged and protected for a week after the report (§ 16(3))
  • the office may recover the find and take it for study (§ 16(4))
  • not reporting is an administrative offense (§ 29)
What the rule says
“(1) Wer Bodendenkmale entdeckt oder findet, hat dies unverzüglich der ... Denkmalfachbehörde anzuzeigen.”

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Please read: this is general information for detectorists, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by individual park, city, and agency. We cite the official sources below, but always confirm the current rule with the specific land manager before you detect — and when in doubt, ask first. Sources checked October 7, 2026; see the source notes for scope.

Sixteen states, sixteen rulebooks

In most states the rule is a Nachforschungsgenehmigung, a permit for any search aimed at finding monuments. Some acts name detectors outright: North Rhine-Westphalia requires a permit for using any search device that can find ground monuments. Others just say searching, and their heritage offices apply it to detecting. In four of them a hobby permit comes after a course: Schleswig-Holstein's certification, Lower Saxony's training programme, Saxony's search card, and Rhineland-Palatinate's training, with a lottery for a limited number of places.

In Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, the heritage offices or official guidance say hobbyists generally don't get permits or point them to volunteer programmes; legal detecting there means professional work, special projects, or years of training as a volunteer for the heritage office. Bavaria is the opposite: no permit to search, but detectors are banned on listed ground monuments and digging for them needs a permit. Check the region-by-region list before you go anywhere.

Who owns what you find

The federal civil code's treasure rule splits a treasure half and half between finder and landowner. But every state has its own Schatzregal that takes archaeological finds for the state. Some (Berlin, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and since July 2023 Bavaria) take every ownerless find, Saarland every find of scientific value; the rest take finds of outstanding (in Brandenburg, any) scientific value, or from state digs, protected zones or (in most of them) unpermitted searches. Some states pay a reward; several of them pay nothing for finds from an illegal search.

Whatever the ownership rule, finds have to be reported. Every state requires you to tell its heritage authorities without delay and to leave the find and the spot alone for a few days, usually between three working days and a week.

Beaches, forests, parks and private land

The North Sea and Baltic beaches belong to the northern states. Schleswig-Holstein is the friendliest: its beach-search permit for designated bathing beaches is basically always granted, no course needed. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the strictest: no exception for beaches, not even to look for a lost ring. Elsewhere on the coast, the state's normal permit rule applies.

Forests are mostly a no: federal law lets you walk in the woods but leaves the rest to the states, and where states publish their permit rules (Schleswig-Holstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, often Lower Saxony) forests are left out. Nature reserves and national parks ban anything that could damage or alter them under each reserve's own rules, so assume no there too. On private land you always need the owner's permission, and outside Bavaria the state's search rules as well.

Sources

Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 7, 2026):

State forest services and individual reserve ordinances were not read; several states' acts were read from agency copies or parliamentary papers because their legislation portals could not be fetched.

Keep your permitted Germany spots organized

Once you’ve confirmed where you’re allowed to hunt, LuckyFind helps you make the most of it — track your route on the map, log each find with its location, and revisit your saved hunt records. LuckyFind does not verify land access or grant detecting permission. Free for iPhone and Android.

New to LuckyFind? Follow the first-hunt checklist, then learn how to record a hunt and add finds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to metal detect in Germany?
Almost everywhere, yes. Nine of the 16 states require a heritage search permit, several only after a course; in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia hobbyists generally get none or are pointed to volunteer programmes. Bavaria needs no search permit, but bans detectors on listed ground monuments and requires a permit to dig for them. You always need the landowner's permission too.
Who owns a metal detecting find in Germany?
The federal civil code splits a treasure half and half between finder and landowner, but every state has a Schatzregal that gives archaeological finds to the state, either all ownerless finds or only finds of outstanding (in Brandenburg, any) scientific value or from state digs, protected zones or unpermitted searches. Some states pay the finder a reward; several pay nothing for finds from an illegal search.
Do I have to report finds in Germany?
Yes. Every state requires you to report a possible archaeological find without delay to its heritage authorities and to leave the find and the spot untouched for a few days, usually between three working days and a week.
Can I metal detect on German beaches?
It depends on the state. Schleswig-Holstein issues a beach-search permit for designated bathing beaches that is basically always granted. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania requires a permit everywhere and gives none for beach hunting, and the other coastal states' normal search permit rules apply on the beach.
Can I metal detect in German forests or national parks?
Assume no. Where states publish their permit rules (Schleswig-Holstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, often Lower Saxony) forests are left out, and nature reserves and national parks ban anything that could damage or alter them under their own rules.

Find more, remember where

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