Lost property

If you have found an object of value (i.e. an object with a value of more than 10 euros), you must hand in this find. Contact points are the lost property offices of the municipalities. A lost property report is recorded there. Lost property, the place of discovery and the time of discovery as well as your personal details are recorded, as you may later be entitled to a finder's fee or to the find itself, if no owner can be determined after the deadline.

Storage and auction

The lost property office is obliged to keep lost property for at least six months. If the owner does not respond within this time, you as the finder are entitled to the found item. If you do not exercise this right or if the lost property is found in public buildings or means of transport, the city or municipality itself becomes the owner of the property.

These lost property will then be publicly auctioned at longer intervals after prior notice by the lost property office. The proceeds of the auction flow into the budget of the municipality.

Animals

Animals are also considered lost property. If you have found an animal, you should contact the responsible municipality and report the find there. In consultation with the municipality, you can also leave the animal there if necessary. It is then usually placed in an animal shelter for further care.

You can also leave found animals directly at an animal shelter without notification. The report of the find is then done by the shelter, since without notification the municipality is not obliged to bear the costs of accommodation.