The process
Register a vehicle in Europe
From assembling the file to fitting the plates, we handle the entire administrative process — in the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Belgium and France.
Registering a vehicle means formally entering it into a country's system: assembling its file, settling its customs and tax situation, having it inspected where needed, then obtaining its registration certificate and plates. We carry out each of these steps for you, with a single point of contact.
The procedure is broadly similar from one European country to the next — Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Belgium, France; it is mainly the taxes that differ. Whether your vehicle is new or used, bought locally or imported, here is the process in detail and how we support you.
Everything, in detail
The process, step by step
End to end, registration follows the same thread. We handle each step for you:
- Country and vehicle — you choose; we lay out the facts (process, documents, taxes) for an informed decision.
- Building the file — registration certificate, certificate of conformity, proof of ownership and identity (see documents).
- Customs / tax clearance — import formalities, especially from outside the EU (see customs).
- Technical inspection — when required by the vehicle's age (see technical inspection).
- Registration and plates — filing the application, obtaining the certificate and plates.
- Insurance — essential to drive (see insurance).
If you would rather not handle customs and inspection yourself, we take care of them entirely.
The documents to gather
A complete file from the outset speeds everything up. The usual items:
- Original registration certificate — a single document (France) or in several parts (Belgium, Germany, Austria…); sometimes an export certificate.
- Certificate of conformity (CoC) — certifies technical conformity; can be re-ordered from the manufacturer if missing.
- Proof of ownership — invoice or sale agreement.
- Proof of identity and a photo of the manufacturer plate (chassis number).
An email is enough at first. Full detail on the Documents page.
Cost by country
The process is alike from country to country; the taxes are not. Eco-malus, registration tax and annual road tax vary widely by country — Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Belgium, France. We present these amounts factually, country by country, on the Car taxes page, and each model page carries its own comparison.
VAT is handled separately (see the note below): it is not an optimisation lever.
Our support
Our job is to make the process simple for you: we gather and check the file, book the appointments (customs, inspection), file the application with the authorities and follow it through to the handover of plates. A single point of contact, from start to finish.
LBO Automobile draws on the LBO Group ecosystem — company formation, registration, fleet management and more — operating since 2008. This continuity saves you juggling multiple providers.
Whatever the jurisdiction, regulated acts (legal, accounting) and technical operations (technical inspection…) are carried out by licensed local professionals — law firms, chartered accountants, approved inspection centres. We coordinate; the specialists execute.
Depending on your situation
The process adapts to your case:
- New or used vehicle — see buy a vehicle.
- Vehicle already registered elsewhere — see transfer / import.
- You are selling — see sell a vehicle.
Good to know. VAT on a new vehicle is due in the country of destination (where the owner is established) and always applies (no zero-rated intra-EU supply); a used vehicle has, as a rule, already had it settled. We help you determine the applicable rate — see the taxes page.