Currently in Germany you can buy gold and silver anonymously, that is, without a passport and in cash, for up to 10,000 euros. But a bill has already appeared, which provides for the reduction of this amount to 2,000 euros.

If this bill is approved, and the law enters into force, then precious metal sellers will have to ask passport information from their customers who want to buy gold or silver for an amount in excess of 2.000 euros.

As a need to reduce the amount of an anonymous purchase of precious metals, the authorities explain the need to fight terrorism and money laundering.

According to experts, a similar fate awaits in the near future and other areas of business, for example, trade in art and antiques, the real estate market and gambling. It is worth recalling that two years ago, the top bar for buying precious metals for cash without a passport was reduced in Germany from 15.000 to the current 10.000 euros. And now it is expected to further decline to 2.000 euros.

If the law is still adopted and enters into force, then the "free citizens of Germany" will be able to buy anonymously only one ounce of gold. From two ounces of gold and above you will need to show your passport.

As for other European countries, for example, in France, the upper limit for the purchase of precious metals without a passport is at the level of 1.000 euros. In this respect, the Swiss have more maneuvers for action. There you can buy gold and silver anonymously for up to 25,000 francs (22,400 euros).