Definition: The legal holder or owner of movable antiquities may be recognized as an collector upon application by a decision of the Minister of Culture after an opinion by the Central Archaeological Council (KAS).

Generally speaking, the collector has the same right and duties as the holder or owner of antiquities, but with some additional rights and obligations.

Recognition Act

The Collectors lizence can be granted according to the character and the importance of the collection and on condition that the applicant
a) provides the necessary guarantees for the protection, safeguarding and preservation of the objects forming part of the collections and
b) provides the necessary guarantees for compliance with the other duties of the collector.

The application for recognition will be rejected if specific convictions or pending criminal procedures against the applicant. A natural person, whose occupation is related or was related to the protection of monuments, or is an antique dealer, or an employee or partner of a natural or legal person with a similar business, cannot be recognized as a collector of antiquities.

The decision on recognition may be revoked temporarily or permanently if the collector ceases to satisfy one or more of the requirements on the basis of which this identity was recognized or if there has been a violation of specific legal provisions. Recognition shall be revoked automatically if the collector has been irrevocably sentenced for any of the offences referred to in art. 31 of law 3028/02. In such case the antiquities in his possession shall be taken by the state. If recognition is revoked for another reason, possession may be retained.

Obligations: The collector shall - keep a register with a full description and photographs of the objects of the collection and shall submit a copy of this register to the Service. - facilitate the photography and study of these objects by specialists who have been granted a relevant permit by the Service. - facilitate visits to a collection, considered to be important by the Service. - be responsible for the unity of a collection.

Rights

Collectors have some additional rights to those granted to holders or owners of antiquities. Collectors are entitled to:
- reproduce and dispose of photographs or other representations of their monuments.
- make casts or other reproductions following approval by the Service and accordance with its instructions to dispose them.
- Collectors may assign the right of first publication of any newly appearing antiquity in their collection for three (3) years.

Transaction collection / artifacts

There is a distinction between transfer of the collection as a unit and the transfer of individual items:

Regarding the transfer of individual items the same regulations apply as for the transfer of ownership of movable monuments (art 28 II) and transfer of possession (art. 28 I). As transferring individual items is in most cases a breach of unity, a Decision of the Minister of Culture will be necessary in most cases.

Collectors may transfer the objects of their collection as a unit either to the state, to recognized museums, or to persons recognized as collectors, after notifying their intention to the Service and the personal data of the transferee as well as the price in case of sale. The transfer may take place within six (6) months from the date of notification, provided the state or museum does not exercise the right of preemption at the same price.

Inheritance If the collector passes away, his heir shall be entitled, within six (6) months from the date of acceptance of the inheritance or the lapse of the time limit for its rejection, to submit an application for recognition as a collector.