Art on the move – export controls for works of art

When a work of art crosses a border, it rarely travels freely. Both the United Kingdom and Spain operate export control regimes designed to protect cultural heritage, systems that can delay, restrict, or even block the sale and movement of significant works. For collectors, dealers, galleries, and institutions, understanding these rules is essential.

This event offers a clear, comparative look at the export controls that apply to works of art in the UK and Spain. We will examine how each system works in practice: when an export licence is required, the thresholds of age and value that trigger review, and the criteria used to decide whether a work is of sufficient national importance to be retained. 

For this session we will be joined by the Deputy Chair of Sotheby’s UK and Ireland, who brings first-hand experience of how these controls shape the international art trade. Drawing on real cases and practical examples, our speakers will explore the differences and similarities between the two jurisdictions, the consequences of getting it wrong, and the strategic considerations for anyone buying, selling, or moving art across these borders.