Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025
Last recorded step: Became Law, Apr 13, 2026.
Permanently extends and expands the authority for victims of Nazi persecution to file civil claims to recover lost art and property.
What it does
This law permanently extends the authority for individuals to file civil claims to recover artwork and property lost due to Nazi persecution between 1933 and 1945. It removes the previous 2026 filing deadline and allows courts to hear cases against foreign states regardless of a victim's citizenship, provided the property is linked to the state's commercial activities in the U.S. Additionally, the law authorizes nationwide service of process and prohibits defendants from using certain legal defenses based on the passage of time or international comity.
Who is affected
This bill affects individuals and heirs seeking to recover artwork or property lost due to Nazi persecution between 1933 and 1945, regardless of the victim's nationality or citizenship. It also impacts foreign states and defendants who may be subject to civil claims and nationwide service of process in U.S. courts. Additionally, the legislation affects legal parties involved in pending and future recovery claims by limiting available defenses related to time delays or international comity.
Key provisions
- Permanent extension of filing deadlines. The bill removes the December 31, 2026, expiration date for filing civil claims to recover art or property lost due to Nazi persecution. Claimants must still file within six years of discovering the location of the property and their interest in it.
- Expansion of jurisdiction over foreign states. Courts are authorized to exercise jurisdiction over claims against foreign states regardless of the victim's nationality or citizenship. The property in question must maintain a connection to the foreign state's commercial activities within the United States.
- Authorization of nationwide service of process. The bill allows courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over defendants in any judicial district where they are located, reside, possess an agent, or conduct business.
- Limitation of legal defenses. The legislation prohibits defendants from using defenses based on the passage of time, such as laches, or seeking dismissal based on international comity. These limitations apply to both pending and future civil actions.
Fiscal impact
- S. 1884, Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025· As passed by the Senate on December 10, 2025
Effective dates
The provisions of this bill apply to all pending and future civil claims or causes of action. Additionally, the bill permanently extends judicial authority by removing the previous filing deadline of December 31, 2026.
Relationship to existing law
This bill permanently extends and expands the judicial authority established under the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016. It modifies existing law by removing the December 31, 2026, filing deadline for civil claims and limiting certain legal defenses, such as those based on the passage of time or international comity.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to facilitate the recovery of artwork and property lost due to Nazi persecution between 1933 and 1945 by permanently extending and expanding judicial authority for civil claims. It seeks to remove procedural barriers to these claims by eliminating filing deadlines, expanding jurisdiction over foreign states, and limiting certain legal defenses based on the passage of time or international comity.