Ukraine's heritage law names metal detectors outright: searching for archaeological objects, or for items connected with them, without the permit the law requires is illegal, and the permits it describes go to qualified archaeologists. Archaeological monuments and the items connected with them belong to the State, as does treasure that counts as a cultural value. A 2013 bill proposed control over search equipment, but the laws in force we read set out no procedure for a hobby detector permit. Here's what the law says, and what breaking it costs.
Can I detect in Ukraine?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- Anywhere: national heritage lawResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Beaches & foreshoreResearch permits onlyno beach-specific detecting rule was found in the sources readChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Protected monumentsResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- National parks & nature reservesResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State forestsResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Private landResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed
The rules, land by land
Anywhere: national heritage law
Research permits onlyUkraine's archaeological heritage law names metal detectors: searching for archaeological objects, or for items connected with them, without the permit the law requires is illegal, and the permits the law describes go to qualified archaeologists.
- the rule covers searching for archaeological heritage objects or connected movable items by exploration, excavation, other earth works or underwater works, and names metal detectors, ground detectors and any other search equipment or technology (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, part 4)
- the right to do archaeological research belongs only to archaeologists with practical field experience, and permits for exploration and excavation go to an archaeologist holding a qualification document from the qualification council (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, parts 1 and 3)
- on cultural heritage objects, using metal detectors or any other search equipment is allowed only with a permit for their use and must be registered with the relevant heritage protection body (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 35, part 4)
- illegal archaeological exploration, excavation or other earth or underwater works on an archaeological heritage object carries a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 tax-free minimum incomes, or probation or restricted liberty for up to two years (Criminal Code, art. 298, part 1)
- intentionally and illegally destroying or damaging cultural heritage objects in order to search for movable items from archaeological heritage objects carries two to five years in prison (Criminal Code, art. 298, parts 2 and 4)
- a 2013 bill, registration No. 2616, proposed control over the use of search equipment; the Rada's committee on judicial policy said it needed refinement to fit the Constitution and the Civil Code. It is recorded here as a draft only, and the laws in force read here set out no procedure for licensing detectors to the public
- the search rule is written about archaeological heritage; away from cultural heritage objects, where any detector use needs a permit (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 35, part 4), no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Проведення археологічних розвідок, розкопок, інших земляних та підводних робіт для пошуку об'єктів археологічної спадщини або пов'язаних з ними рухомих предметів за відсутності передбаченого законом дозволу, зокрема на використання металошукачів, детекторів неоднорідності ґрунту чи будь-якого іншого пошукового обладнання або відповідної технології, є незаконним.”
Keeping finds
ProhibitedArchaeological monuments, including those under water, and the movable items connected with them belong to the State, and so does any treasure that counts as a cultural value; the finder of such treasure can get a reward of up to 20% of its value if they report it at once and hand it over.
- all archaeological monuments, including those under water, and the movable items connected with them are state property and go to the state part of the Museum Fund of Ukraine (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 17)
- finds from archaeological research are state property (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 18)
- treasure that is a cultural value under the law becomes state property; the finder may get a reward of up to 20% of its value at the time of discovery if they immediately told the National Police or the local self-government body and handed it over (Civil Code, art. 343, part 4)
- if such treasure was found in someone else's property, that owner and the finder each have a right to a reward of up to 10% of its value (Civil Code, art. 343, part 4)
- ordinary treasure, meaning buried or hidden money and valuables whose owner is unknown, goes to the finder; if it was hidden in property someone else owns, the finder and that owner share it equally, and if the finder was digging or searching without the owner's consent, the owner gets it (Civil Code, art. 343, parts 1-3)
What the rule says
“Усі пам'ятки археології, в тому числі ті, що знаходяться під водою, включаючи пов'язані з ними рухомі предмети, є державною власністю.”
Reporting finds
Must be reportedFind something of an archaeological or historical character while doing any earth works? Stop work and tell the local heritage protection body within one day.
- the duty in art. 36 falls on whoever is carrying out the earth works, and work may restart only with the heritage body's written permission after archaeological research of the area (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 36)
- people and organizations that use or possess archaeological objects or items must immediately report newly discovered objects or items within the territory they use for their activities (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 19)
- a finder of treasure that is a cultural value earns a reward only by immediately telling the National Police or the local self-government body and handing it over (Civil Code, art. 343, part 4)
What the rule says
“Якщо під час проведення будь-яких земляних робіт виявлено знахідку археологічного або історичного характеру, виконавець робіт зобов'язаний зупинити їх подальше ведення і протягом однієї доби повідомити про це відповідний орган охорони культурної спадщини, на території якого проводяться земляні роботи.”
Beaches & foreshore
Research permits onlyThere's no beach exception. The search rule covers underwater works too, so searching a beach or the water for archaeological objects with a metal detector needs the permit the law reserves for qualified archaeologists.
- the national rule: searching for archaeological heritage objects or items connected with them without the permit the law requires, including with metal detectors, ground detectors or any other search equipment, is illegal (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, part 4)
- the right to do archaeological research belongs only to archaeologists with practical field experience, and permits for exploration and excavation go to an archaeologist holding a qualification document from the qualification council (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, parts 1 and 3)
- no beach-specific detecting rule was found in the sources read
- the search rule is written about archaeological heritage; away from cultural heritage objects, where any detector use needs a permit (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 35, part 4), no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Проведення археологічних розвідок, розкопок, інших земляних та підводних робіт для пошуку об'єктів археологічної спадщини або пов'язаних з ними рухомих предметів за відсутності передбаченого законом дозволу, зокрема на використання металошукачів, детекторів неоднорідності ґрунту чи будь-якого іншого пошукового обладнання або відповідної технології, є незаконним.”
Protected monuments
Research permits onlyOn cultural heritage objects, metal detectors and any other search equipment may be used only with a permit for their use, registered with the heritage protection body, and the permits the law describes for archaeological work go to qualified archaeologists.
- exploration, excavation and other earth works on a monument's territory, in protected archaeological areas, in protection zones and in historic areas of settlements need a permit from the central heritage body (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, part 2)
- the right to do archaeological research belongs only to archaeologists with practical field experience, and permits for exploration and excavation go to an archaeologist holding a qualification document from the qualification council (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, parts 1 and 3)
- illegal archaeological exploration, excavation or other earth or underwater works on an archaeological heritage object carries a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 tax-free minimum incomes, or probation or restricted liberty for up to two years (Criminal Code, art. 298, part 1)
- intentionally and illegally destroying or damaging cultural heritage objects in order to search for movable items from archaeological heritage objects carries two to five years in prison (Criminal Code, art. 298, parts 2 and 4)
- permits for earth or underwater works at battle sites, the sites where warships and vessels were lost, and burial places of the dead and of servicemen, foreigners included, who died in wars, deportations and political repression are granted under programmes agreed with the heritage protection body (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 35, part 1)
- the national rule: searching for archaeological heritage objects or items connected with them without the permit the law requires, including with metal detectors, ground detectors or any other search equipment, is illegal (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, part 4)
What the rule says
“Застосування металошукачів чи будь-якого іншого пошукового обладнання або відповідної технології на об'єктах культурної спадщини дозволяється тільки за наявності дозволу на їх використання та підлягає обов'язковій реєстрації у відповідному органі охорони культурної спадщини.”
National parks & nature reserves
Research permits onlyNational parks and nature reserves follow the national rule: searching for archaeological objects with a metal detector needs the permit the law reserves for qualified archaeologists. Strict nature reserves go further and bar outsiders from passing through them.
- the national rule: searching for archaeological heritage objects or items connected with them without the permit the law requires, including with metal detectors, ground detectors or any other search equipment, is illegal (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, part 4)
- the right to do archaeological research belongs only to archaeologists with practical field experience, and permits for exploration and excavation go to an archaeologist holding a qualification document from the qualification council (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, parts 1 and 3)
- in strict nature reserves (природні заповідники), the law bans disturbing the soil cover and the passage of outsiders by vehicle or on foot, among other activities (Law on the Nature Reserve Fund, art. 16)
- no detecting rule specific to national nature parks was found in the sources read
- the search rule is written about archaeological heritage; away from cultural heritage objects, where any detector use needs a permit (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 35, part 4), no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Проведення археологічних розвідок, розкопок, інших земляних та підводних робіт для пошуку об'єктів археологічної спадщини або пов'язаних з ними рухомих предметів за відсутності передбаченого законом дозволу, зокрема на використання металошукачів, детекторів неоднорідності ґрунту чи будь-якого іншого пошукового обладнання або відповідної технології, є незаконним.”
State forests
Research permits onlyState forests follow the national rule: searching for archaeological objects with a metal detector needs the permit the law reserves for qualified archaeologists.
- the national rule: searching for archaeological heritage objects or items connected with them without the permit the law requires, including with metal detectors, ground detectors or any other search equipment, is illegal (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, part 4)
- the right to do archaeological research belongs only to archaeologists with practical field experience, and permits for exploration and excavation go to an archaeologist holding a qualification document from the qualification council (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, parts 1 and 3)
- no forest-specific detecting rule was found; the Forest Code was not read
- the search rule is written about archaeological heritage; away from cultural heritage objects, where any detector use needs a permit (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 35, part 4), no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“Проведення археологічних розвідок, розкопок, інших земляних та підводних робіт для пошуку об'єктів археологічної спадщини або пов'язаних з ними рухомих предметів за відсутності передбаченого законом дозволу, зокрема на використання металошукачів, детекторів неоднорідності ґрунту чи будь-якого іншого пошукового обладнання або відповідної технології, є незаконним.”
Private land
Research permits onlyPrivate land is no loophole: the search rule for archaeological objects applies there too. And if you dig or search for valuables without the owner's consent, any treasure you find goes to the owner.
- the national rule: searching for archaeological heritage objects or items connected with them without the permit the law requires, including with metal detectors, ground detectors or any other search equipment, is illegal (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, part 4)
- the right to do archaeological research belongs only to archaeologists with practical field experience, and permits for exploration and excavation go to an archaeologist holding a qualification document from the qualification council (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, art. 10, parts 1 and 3)
- treasure found by someone digging or searching for valuables without the property owner's consent belongs to the owner (Civil Code, art. 343, part 3)
- with consent, ordinary treasure is shared equally between the finder and the owner; treasure that is a cultural value goes to the State (Civil Code, art. 343, parts 2 and 4)
- the search rule is written about archaeological heritage; away from cultural heritage objects, where any detector use needs a permit (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, art. 35, part 4), no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
What the rule says
“У разі виявлення скарбу особою, яка здійснювала розкопки чи пошук цінностей без згоди на це власника майна, в якому він був прихований, право власності на скарб набуває власник цього майна.”
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.
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Detectors are named in the law
The Закон «Про охорону археологічної спадщини» (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, 2004) says that exploration, excavation and other earth or underwater works to search for archaeological heritage objects, or for items connected with them, without the permit the law requires are illegal. It names metal detectors, ground detectors and any other search equipment or technology. The right to do archaeological research belongs only to archaeologists with practical field experience, and exploration and excavation permits go to an archaeologist holding a qualification document from the qualification council.
On cultural heritage objects themselves, the Закон «Про охорону культурної спадщини» (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage) allows metal detectors and other search equipment only with a permit for their use, registered with the heritage protection body. The laws we read describe no way for a member of the public to get one. In 2013 a bill, registration No. 2616, proposed control over the use of search equipment, and the Rada's committee on judicial policy said it needed refinement to fit the Constitution and the Civil Code. We treat it as a draft, not as law.
Earth or underwater works at battle sites, at the places where warships and vessels were lost, and at the burial places of people who died in wars, deportations and political repression need permits granted under programmes agreed with the heritage protection body. Away from cultural heritage objects, the search rule is written about archaeological heritage, and nothing we read deals with hunting for a modern lost ring.
What illegal digging costs
Under the Кримінальний кодекс (Criminal Code), art. 298, illegal archaeological exploration, excavation or other earth or underwater works on an archaeological heritage object carry a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens, or probation or restricted liberty for up to two years, with or without a ban of up to three years on holding certain posts or doing certain work.
Intentionally and illegally destroying, ruining or damaging cultural heritage objects in order to search for movable items from archaeological heritage objects carries two to five years in prison, with or without the same ban of up to three years.
Who owns a find, and who to tell
All archaeological monuments, including those under water, and the movable items connected with them are state property and go to the state part of the Museum Fund of Ukraine. Finds from archaeological research are state property too.
Treasure follows the Civil Code, art. 343. Treasure that is a cultural value becomes state property, and its finder may get a reward of up to 20% of its value, but only by immediately telling the National Police or the local self-government body and handing it over. If it was found in someone else's property, that owner and the finder can each get up to 10%. Ordinary treasure, meaning buried or hidden money and valuables whose owner is unknown, goes to the finder; if it was hidden in property someone else owns, the two share it equally, and if the finder was digging or searching without the owner's consent, the owner gets it all.
Find something of an archaeological or historical character during any earth works? Whoever is doing the work must stop and tell the local heritage protection body within one day, and the work may restart only with that body's written permission after the area has been researched. People and organizations that use or possess archaeological objects or items must immediately report newly discovered ones on the territory they use.
Beaches, forests, parks and private land
The search rule isn't tied to any kind of land, and it covers underwater works, so the same permit rule applies on beaches, in state forests, in national parks and nature reserves, and on private land. Strict nature reserves (природні заповідники) go further: the law bans disturbing the soil cover there, and outsiders may not pass through on foot or by vehicle.
Private land is no loophole. The search rule applies there too, and treasure found by someone digging or searching for valuables without the owner's consent belongs to the owner.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
- Закон України «Про охорону археологічної спадщини» № 1626-IV від 18.03.2004 (Law on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage), consolidated text
- Закон України «Про охорону культурної спадщини» № 1805-III (Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage), consolidated text
- Кримінальний кодекс України № 2341-III (Criminal Code of Ukraine), consolidated text
- Цивільний кодекс України № 435-IV (Civil Code of Ukraine), consolidated text
- Закон України «Про природно-заповідний фонд України» № 2456-XII (Law on the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine), consolidated text
- Committee on Judicial Policy on draft law Reg. No. 2616 (counteracting illegal digging and limiting civil circulation of archaeological objects), 7 October 2013
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is metal detecting legal in Ukraine?
- Not for finding archaeological objects. Searching for archaeological heritage objects or items connected with them without the permit the law requires is illegal, and the law names metal detectors. The permits it describes go to qualified archaeologists. Away from cultural heritage objects, nothing we read deals with hunting for modern lost items.
- Can I get a metal detector permit in Ukraine?
- We found no route for the public. The heritage law mentions a permit to use detectors on cultural heritage objects, registered with the heritage protection body, but the only permits the laws we read describe are exploration and excavation permits for qualified archaeologists. A 2013 bill on controlling search equipment is a draft, not law.
- What is the penalty for illegal digging in Ukraine?
- Illegal archaeological exploration, excavation or other earth or underwater works on an archaeological heritage object: a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens, or probation or restricted liberty for up to two years. Intentionally and illegally destroying or damaging cultural heritage objects to search for archaeological items: two to five years in prison.
- Can I keep what I find in Ukraine?
- Not if it's archaeological. Archaeological monuments and the items connected with them belong to the State, as does treasure that counts as a cultural value, though a finder who reports it at once and hands it over can get up to 20% of its value. Ordinary treasure with no cultural value goes to the finder, shared with the owner of the property where it was hidden.
- Can I metal detect on Ukrainian beaches?
- There's no beach exception. The search rule covers underwater works too, so searching a beach or the water for archaeological objects with a detector needs the permit the law reserves for qualified archaeologists.
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