Summer or Burgundy truffles of the species Tuber aestivum are found throughout Europe. In Germany, they are considered common in various regions such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate or Lower Saxony. Nevertheless, truffles are only protected in Germany. 

They were first included in the Federal Nature Conservation Act in 1986 along with other species of mushrooms. The Federal Species Protection Ordinance lists all native, wild species of the genus Tuber as specially protected species. The ban therefore does not apply to other genera and species of subterranean mushrooms (hypogea) such as the edible meandering truffle Choiromyces maeandriformis. Researchers are only allowed to collect wild truffles with a special permit. However, truffles can be harvested from cultivated areas and traded.

Efforts to remove truffles from the list of protected species have so far failed. Mushroom experts and conservationists want to protect the habitats from over-eager collectors and their dogs.