Cash / Currency → Germany

EU rule: declare EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.

Details

Germany follows EU Regulation 2018/1672 on cash controls. Travellers carrying EUR 10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent in other currencies) must declare it to German customs (Zoll) when entering or leaving EU territory via Germany. The declaration must cover all forms of cash including notes, coins, traveller's cheques, and bearer instruments. German customs may inspect and temporarily seize undeclared cash if suspected of criminal origin. Within the EU (intra-EU travel), there is no mandatory declaration but Germany customs can request declarations if suspicious. Penalties for non-declaration include fines up to EUR 1 million.

Quantity limit

No quantity limit; declaration required for EUR 10,000+

Documentation required

• EU Cash Declaration form (Zollamt K 0460) for EUR 10,000+

Legal reference

EU Regulation 2018/1672; German Customs Act (Zollverwaltungsgesetz)

Practical advice

Declare at Zoll before reaching border control. Retain documentation of the source of funds (bank statements) to facilitate declaration and avoid seizure.

Customs authority

Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration) · https://www.zoll.de