Pick up lost property

The Munich lost property office records the SIM card number and forwards it to the card provider. The card provider notifies the customer of the lost property if the customer data record is still available. You must block your mobile phone card yourself.

The following information is required on collection and can be found on the original packaging or purchase receipt:

• SIM card: Provider and number
• Mobile phone: Make, model and IMEI device number (if the SIM card is no longer in the mobile phone or has been replaced)
• If you have received this, please bring the notification letter from your card provider with you when you collect your mobile phone.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to view found mobile phones.

Identity documents:

• Foreign official documents (e.g. passports and driving licences) of persons not registered in Munich are sent to the embassies of the respective countries via the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne.
• Bank cards and ID cards of non-Munich residents are sent directly to the respective financial institution or issuing authority.
• Lost ID cards registered in Munich will be notified in writing. You should wait about four weeks before applying for a new ID card. If you have already applied for a new ID card, you must return the old one to the issuing authority immediately.
• Spectacles: Bring the spectacle pass from your optician with you, this could make identification easier. Please also have the make, shape and material of the spectacle frame ready.
• Keys: Please bring a comparison/second key for comparison. If ownership is in doubt, we will only hand over the key/key ring against payment of an additional deposit of 50 euros. The deposit will be refunded upon return of the key/key ring or proof of ownership.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to send digital data carriers (e.g. smartphones, laptops) abroad due to a general shipping ban on lithium-ion batteries. These are categorised as dangerous goods.

On request, we only ship lost property outside Munich and outside the Munich S-Bahn area. In addition, the costs must be reimbursed before dispatch; the standard conditions of Deutsche Post apply. Collection by a courier is possible if we have a written authorisation, our costs have been reimbursed and we do not incur any further costs as a result. Please do not send us any stamps, cash or cheques. Payment is only possible by cashless bank transfer.

If an item has been stolen, you must report it to the police immediately. Reporting the theft to the police is a mandatory prerequisite for returning a bicycle to the loser and for claiming insurance benefits. If the item turns out not to be stolen, you must withdraw the report. EC, credit and mobile phone cards should be blocked immediately.

Do I have to pay a finder's fee?

If the finder claims the item, you must pay a finder's fee.

• Up to a value of 500 euros, the finder's fee is five per cent of the value. If the item is worth more than 500 euros, the finder's fee is 3 per cent. Example calculation: Value of the item: 800 euros, 5 per cent up to 500 euros=25 euros 3 per cent for the remaining 300 euros=9 euros makes a total finder's fee of 34 euros.

• If the finder has incurred expenses as a result of the find and claims these, you must also reimburse these.
• Different regulations apply to items found in business premises or means of transport belonging to public authorities and transport companies. In this case, the finder only receives half of the statutory finder's fee for items worth at least 50 euros.

Lost property is usually kept for three months . Lost property that is subject to retention of title is kept for six months. Low-value lost property worth less than ten euros is kept for a maximum of four weeks.

After the collection period has expired, these lost property items become the property of the City of Munich, provided the finder has not asserted any rights. They are then auctioned off, destroyed or donated to social causes. Of course, data protection will be taken into account.

Keys can be viewed without an appointment on the ground floor, Implerstraße 11. Information on lost keys can be found here.