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Miscellaneous

Pick up lost and found items

Pick up a lost item that has been turned in to the city’s lost and found office upon presentation of proof of ownership.

Wo wohnen Sie?

Damit wir Pick up lost and found items mit dem zuständigen Fundbüro in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.

Oder Großstadt wählen:

Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Pick up lost and found items.

Processing: 1 daySuccess rate: 60.0 %
Last reviewed: August 02, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1

    Documents you need

    Identification card

  2. 2

    Responsible authority

    The authority of your main residence

  3. 3

    How to do it

    Apply directly online

  4. 4

    Costs

    Je nach Gemeinde und Leistung – beim zuständigen Amt erfragen

Find the responsible authority

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Search the online lost and found

    Many cities offer an online database of lost items.

  2. 2

    Provide proof of ownership

    Description, proof of purchase, photos, or unique identifying features (e.g., serial number).

  3. 3

    Pick up the item

    Upon presentation of an ID card; a storage fee may apply depending on the value and duration of storage.

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

Owners of lost items that have been turned in to the city’s lost and found office or to public transportation agencies.

Income limit

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. 1 day

Success rate

approx. 60.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • Missed the retention period (usually 6 months)
  • The item description is too vague for an online search

Common reasons for rejection

  • Ownership of the item cannot be substantiated
  • Item already auctioned (after the holding period expired)

Alternatives

  • Check related services in the application assistant
  • Use social counselling before applying

If rejected

Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.

Questions & Answers

What happens if no one claims the lost item?

Once the statutory holding period has expired (usually 6 months), ownership is transferred to the finder, or the item is auctioned off.

Freshness & source

Maintenance
Continuously reviewed & updated
Source
Bundesportal (verwaltung.bund.de)
Data quality
100 %

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