Approval of use

Premises (land, buildings and portions thereof) may only be used for the official purposes of diplomatic missions and career consular posts with the prior approval of the Federal Foreign Office (approval of use). Prior approval is also required if premises are to be used as residences for heads of diplomatic missions or official housing for home-based members of the diplomatic mission or career consular post (i.e. premises purchased and made available by the mission or post for such members). The Federal Foreign Office may give its approval subject to certain terms and conditions. The approval of the Federal Foreign Office for the given use of the premises has no impact on the need to obtain other official permits, such as planning permission. Other (rented) accommodation does not require approval but only needs to be notified to the Federal Foreign Office.

If a diplomatic mission or career consular post is to share premises with another institution, the premises of each must be clearly separated and appropriately signed. If parts of the premises in which a diplomatic mission or career consular post is located are to be leased to third parties, or if third parties are to be permitted to use such parts, approval must be obtained in advance from the Federal Foreign Office (Division 701) for the continued use of the remaining part as the premises of the diplomatic mission or career consular post.

The premises of diplomatic missions and career consular posts may not be used in a manner incompatible with the functions of the mission or post (Article 41 (3) of the VCDR, Article 55 (2) of the VCCR). Therefore, in order to prevent their special status from being adversely affected in any way, diplomatic and consular premises may not be leased to third parties, nor may third parties be permitted to use such premises.

Buildings or parts thereof that are not used for diplomatic or consular purposes are entirely subject to the exercise of German jurisdiction. They are not eligible for any tax exemptions, nor are they inviolable or entitled to the protection guaranteed for diplomatic and career consular premises.

Applying for approval of use

Applications for approval of use should be sent to the Protocol Division of the Federal Foreign Office (Division 701) and must include the following information:

• place and location of the relevant plot of land, building or part of building
• details of whether it is to be purchased or leased
• details of whether it is to be used for official purposes or residential purposes
• the name of the owner or landlord.
  
  

The Federal Foreign Office strongly advises missions to apply for approval of use in good time prior to purchasing or leasing a property.

Applications from career consular posts should be made via their diplomatic mission.

Please also note the information contained in Circular Note 04/2022 of 26 January 2022 – Ref. 701-0-701 AM 10/Allg.