Lost property > |
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Lost propertyThe police force operates a comprehensive lost property system throughout the country. The Lost Property Act requires that the discovery of lost property be reported to the owner or the property delivered to the police. Property the acquisition or possession of which is forbidden or requires a permit from the authorities, such as narcotics, illegal alcohol or firearms, must be forwarded to the police without delay. If the lost property cannot be transported without danger or difficulty, it is enough to inform the police, who will come and collect it. The police will give the finder a receipt for the items. Owners of lost property have the right to claim it if they pay the finder a reward and compensation for any costs incurred. By law the reward must be 10 per cent of the item’s current value, but no less than four euros. The charge for storage expenses is five per cent of the item’s current value, but no more than 17 euros. If general storage costs are less than four euros, they will not necessarily be charged for. If the owner of the lost property does not claim the property from the police within three months, ownership is transferred, with a few exceptions, to the finder. If the finder, too, fails to claim the property within three months of the ownership being transferred, the property is transferred to the State. Lost property transferred to the State is auctioned or sold by some other suitable means, or is used by the State or disposed of.  Back | Print page
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