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Obligation to declare cash when travelling to or from Germany

Photo of banknotes of various international currencies

Banknotes of various international currencies, © Colourbox

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Cash sums totalling 10,000 or more euros on trips to and from Germany must be declared to the customs authorities. This applies to both cash and equivalent means of payment.

Obligation to declare cash or equivalent means of payment when entering or leaving the EU

Logo of the Central Customs Authority
Logo of the Central Customs Authority© Generalzolldirektion

Any person entering Germany from a country which is not a member state of the European Union (EU) or leaving Germany for a non-member state and who is carrying cash or an equivalent means of payment with a total value of 10,000 or more euros is obliged to declare this amount unsolicited and in writing to the competent German customs authorities. The customs control units carry out inspections both at the border and within Germany to monitor compliance with this obligation. A substantial fine may be imposed on anyone who does not declare sums of cash or equivalent means of payment in excess of this limit or makes a false declaration.

Obligation to declare cash or equivalent means of payment when travelling within the EU

Any person entering Germany from an EU member state or leaving Germany for an EU member state and who is carrying cash or an equivalent means of payment with a total value of 10,000 or more euros, must orally declare this amount on entering or leaving the country when questioned by a customs official. A substantial fine may be imposed on anyone who does not declare sums of cash or equivalent means of payment in excess of this limit or makes a false declaration.

Information on a declaration within the EU:

Information on a declaration when coming from third countries (non-member of the EU):

Declaration form :

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