The Property Act governs claims to assets that were expropriated or taken into public ownership in the territory of the former GDR in the period from 1949 to 1990 and applies accordingly to asset losses in the period from 1933 to 1945.

Since January 1, 2004, the Federal Office for Central Services and Unresolved Property Issues in Berlin has been responsible for expropriations in the period from 1933 to 1945.

If it is not possible to return assets expropriated in the period from 1949 to 1990, compensation in cash is paid in accordance with the provisions of the Compensation Act. The deadline for applications was December 31, 1992, and for movable assets June 30, 1993.

For applications for restitution of assets expropriated on the basis of occupation law or occupying sovereignty (1945 to 1949), the Property Act does not apply - except in cases of rehabilitation. If the relevant requirements are met, compensation in cash is granted for the loss of assets suffered in accordance with the provisions of the Equalization Payments Act. The application period ended on May 31, 1995.