Italy's Competition Law Overhauls Art Export Rules: 70-Year Threshold and €13,500 Ceiling

On August 2, 2017, the Competition Bill (Ddl Concorrenza) was ratified by Italy's Parliament, altering the regulations surrounding the circulation of artworks and antiques. The legislation increases the age limit for works of significant cultural interest from 50 to 70 years for deceased artists, facilitating the export of newer items. A threshold of €13,500 permits straightforward self-certification for exports, with exceptions for archaeological artifacts, archives, incunabula, and manuscripts. It also establishes a five-year passport for artworks and prolongs export licenses for non-EU countries to one year. Critics, such as Italia Nostra and Salvatore Settis, claim it undermines cultural heritage protection, while Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini argues it safeguards privately owned cultural assets and enhances Italy's art market, which currently represents 1% of global turnover.