Buying and registering a vehicle

The first thing to clarify is the vehicle's tax status. For VAT purposes, a vehicle is generally considered new when it is less than six months old or has covered fewer than 6,000 km. Beyond that, it normally falls under the used regime. This distinction determines how VAT is handled in a cross-border purchase.

For a new vehicle bought in another EU country, VAT is due in the country of destination, where the owner is established and where the vehicle will be registered. There is no permanent tax-free supply: VAT always remains applicable, it is simply paid in the country of registration rather than in the seller's country. We assist you in determining the applicable rate and arranging payment in the right place.

For a used vehicle, VAT is generally the one applied by the seller in their own country at the time of sale: you usually receive an invoice inclusive of all taxes, which then accompanies the import file. On this point the procedure is more straightforward. For exact figures (rates by country and other taxes), please refer to our dedicated car taxes page.

A complete file is the key to a smooth registration. The first step is to clearly identify the seller and the owner shown on the circulation document. Depending on whether the vehicle is held by a private individual or a company, the supporting document differs: a sale contract signed between the parties, or a purchase invoice. A copy of the seller's identity document is generally useful to establish the vehicle's chain of ownership.

You will need the original registration certificate (vehicle log book). Note that its format varies from country to country: a single document in some states, several parts in others. Some countries also require an export or lien-free certificate, which should be requested before finalising the purchase.

The European certificate of conformity (COC) is a central document for registration: it confirms that the vehicle meets its approved technical specifications. If it is not handed over with the vehicle, it can be ordered from the manufacturer. Remember also to keep a photo of the manufacturer's plate (usually located in a door pillar), which shows the chassis number and approval details.

In an intra-Community acquisition, the file goes through a tax and customs clearance step in the country of destination. The relevant services check the purchase invoice, the VAT treatment applied, and the mandatory details: chassis number, date of first registration and the match between the seller's name and the one shown on the circulation document.

In practice, where VAT is due in the country of destination, we draw up the calculation, give you the amount and the account to which payment must be made, then prepare the import document needed to obtain the tax proof required for registration. Depending on the case, the authorities may ask to physically inspect the vehicle to verify the chassis number and mileage.

This step varies from one country to another. Our role is to establish in advance which treatment applies to your situation, to prepare the documents in the correct format and to anticipate the checks, so that the administrative stage runs without a hitch.

Once the tax formalities are settled, the file is submitted to the authority in charge of registrations. We first draw up the registration request from the vehicle's details: chassis number, date of first registration, holder's identity, and so on. The authority carries out its usual checks, in particular querying databases of vehicles reported stolen and verifying the history.

If the vehicle has undergone technical modifications (wheels, exhaust, suspension, seats, anchorage points, etc.), it is essential to declare them from the outset. An additional approval or acceptance step may then be required, on presentation of the appropriate homologation. Flagging this early avoids the file being blocked midway.

In parallel, we reserve the plate number and arrange the insurance, which is essential to finalise the registration. If you would like a personalised plate, this is also the moment to request it.

Depending on the vehicle's age, a technical inspection may be required before or shortly after registration. The frequency rules differ from one country to another: a recent vehicle is often exempt at first, whereas an older one will need to be presented. We tell you what applies to your case.

Before presenting the vehicle, a few simple checks help avoid a re-test: proper working of lights and signalling, horn and windscreen washer, presence of mandatory safety equipment, tyre condition and no non-compliant items on the windscreen. A clean, well-prepared vehicle always makes the inspection easier.

As for insurance, valid cover is required to obtain the registration. We support you in putting the required certificate in place at the right moment, in coordination with the other steps of the file.