Initiation of proceedings for return or for the protection of rights of access

The return of a child who has been wrongfully removed to or retained in a Contracting State of the Hague Convention or the European Convention may be requested from the Central Authority by completing the form below. The same applies to the protection of cross-border rights of access. To clarify which international Convention applies and which form to fill out, please contact the Central Authority.

The services provided by the Central Authorities are free of charge. Court proceedings under the European Convention 1980 are free of charge for applicants. Judicial proceedings for return or for the protection of access rights under the Hague Convention 1980 are only free of charge for applicants if neither of the two concerned Contracting States has made a reservation to the exemption of costs or if the applicants are granted legal aid.

In order to find out, which Contracting States have made a reservation to the Hague Convention 1980 concerning the costs, you may check our list of contracting states and the country notes. The costs include court fees, legal representation, protective measures, interpreter and mediation/conciliation procedure. Since the services provided by the Contracting States without such a reservation vary significantly (in particular with regard to the legal representation of applicants in the return proceedings), please contact the Central Authority for more detailed information.

Depending on the complexity of each individual case and the applicable legal system, the proceedings may last several months or longer. You will find further information in our brochure. 

• International Child Abduction and Contact Conflicts (PDF, 2 MB, 17.06.2025)

Important: Please read carefully the guidelines on completing the application form and contact the Central Authority for any question.

• Guidelines on applying for the return of a child (PDF, 155 kB, 13.05.2016)
• Guidelines on applying for protection of access rights (PDF, 97 kB, 13.05.2016)

Application forms based on the Hague Convention 1980

Request for return

• Request for return (Hague Convention) - German (DOC, 142 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - French/English (DOC, 183 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - French (DOC, 133 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - Italian (DOC, 151 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - English (DOC, 135 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - Spanish (DOC, 128 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - Portuguese (DOC, 140 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - Russian (DOC, 152 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for return (Hague Convention) - Turkish (DOC, 156 kB, 18.02.2016)

Request for access rights

• Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - German (DOC, 108 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - French/English (DOC, 126 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - French (DOC, 105 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - Italian (DOC, 115 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - English (DOC, 107 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - Spanish (DOC, 96 kB, 18.02.2016)
• Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - Portuguese (DOC, 101 kB, 18.02.2016)

Application forms based on the European Convention 1980

Request for return

• Request for return (European Convention) - German (DOC, 145 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for return (European Convention) - French/English (DOC, 174 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for return (European Convention) - French (DOC, 138 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for return (European Convention) - Italian (DOC, 148 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for return (European Convention) - English (DOC, 138 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for return (European Convention) - Spanish (DOC, 131 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for return (European Convention) - Portuguese (DOC, 139 kB, 16.12.2015)

Request for access rights

• Request for access rights (European Convention) - German (DOC, 109 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for access rights (European Convention) - French/English (DOC, 128 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for access rights (European Convention) - French (DOC, 102 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for access rights (European Convention) - Italian (DOC, 110 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for access rights (European Convention) - English (DOC, 104 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for access rights (European Convention) - Spanish (DOC, 101 kB, 16.12.2015)
• Request for access rights (European Convention) - Portuguese (DOC, 100 kB, 16.12.2015)

Documentation

• List of contracting states: European Treaty and Hague Convention (PDF, 114 kB, 01.03.2024)
• Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Council of Europe
• Netzwerk BG-KKE / Réseau LF-EEA / Rete LF-RMA (PDF, 236 kB, 02.10.2025)

  (This document is not available in English)

Last modification 16.10.2025