Importing a car from the US or the EU? Car transport costs and commission – when do you have to…
Car registration from Germany – what documents and what cost?
Many people in our country, wanting to buy a vehicle, go to our western neighbors. It turns out that the popularity of cars imported from Germany is growing every year. According to statistics, this growth is still ongoing. What is the reason for this? The attractiveness of cars from Germany is certainly supported by the fact that these are well-maintained models, sometimes little used for a given year. Find out what it looks like to register a car from Germany.
- How does vehicle registration from Germany look like? What documents are needed?
- Translation of documents for a car imported from Germany
- How long does it take to register a car from Germany?
- How much does it cost to register a car from Germany in terms of PCC tax?
- How much does it cost to register a car from Germany? A vehicle inspection is not everything!
- How to register a car from Germany? Is it possible to register online?
- Vehicle inspection when registering a car from abroad – what do you need to know?
- Are these all car fees from Germany?
- What happens if you don't pay the excise tax on time?
- How much does insurance cost for a car from Germany?
- Buying a car from Germany – privately or from a commission shop?
The most important thing is that Germans, unlike other nations, including Poland, quite often change their cars to newer models with a specific purpose, and they even sell the one they have much below its market price. When importing a car from Germany and wanting to legally drive it on Polish roads, you must re-register the car within 30 days. In this article, find out how to register an imported car, what the total cost of registration is, and whether it is possible to register the car online in such a case.
How does vehicle registration from Germany look like? What documents are needed? Documents needed for registration (list)
Registering a car from Germany is not at all a very difficult task. In fact, if you ask someone who has had problems with it themselves, mainly due to their lack of knowledge, you can sometimes even get scared. In reality, the entire registration process is not that complicated, however, it should be remembered that all necessary vehicle registration documents must be translated by a sworn translator and when registering a car in Poland, both translated documents and originals are required. A translation of the vehicle registration certificate is not the only document that will be useful to you! Check what documents will be necessary when registering a car from Germany.
Translation of car documents imported from Germany - what vehicle documents to remember? Registering the car in Germany is not enough
Documents to car registration from Germany, – translations required
- a document confirming the conclusion of a contract between the buyer and the seller or a car purchase invoice (proof of vehicle ownership),
- foreign vehicle registration certificate, the so-called German Brief,
- confirmation of vehicle registration in Germany,
- technical inspection – technical inspection of the vehicle carried out in Poland or in Germany,
- confirmation of payment of excise duty,
- license plates on which the car entered Poland,
- certificate of current technical inspection,
- a document confirming the identity of the car owner in Poland,
- confirmation of payment of fees,
- redemption third party liability insurance.
IMPORTANT! Every passenger car owner is obliged to have a current third party liability insurance policy. For lack of third party liability insurance for more than 14 days, there is a penalty, which in 2021 amounted to as much as PLN 8480. It is definitely worth remembering about compulsory third party liability insurance, not only when importing a car from Germany.
How long does it take to register a car from Germany? Registering a car in Germany takes much longer!
Registering a car imported from Germany or another member state is not a complicated procedure. How to register a car from Germany? We should remember that a car that has all the legal requirements settled is not yet registered on the so-called hard evidence. The process registration of a car imported from Germany lasts about a month and during this time, a check is made to see if all the fees related to car registration have been paid and if all vehicle documents are correct. In addition, the communication department must check the car's past if it is doubtful. It may indeed be quite a long time, but this is always the process of registering a car from beyond our western border. After verifying all the required documents, the vehicle will be registered.
How much does it cost to register a car from Germany in terms of PCC tax? Do I have to pay after importing the car?
If the vehicle was imported by an individual, we must remember to pay the PCC tax. However, we must remember that we can first register the car and then pay the civil law transaction tax. If, on the other hand, the vehicle was imported with the help of an intermediary company, the sales invoice exempts us from paying this tax - then it is enough to register the car according to our instructions.
How much does it cost to register a car from Germany? A vehicle inspection is not everything!
Now you need to state in black and white what amounts it absorbs car registration from Germany:
- Polish plates (see board frames) costs PLN 80 (in the case of vintage cars – PLN 100), and individual ones consisting of 5 characters – PLN 1000,
- a temporary permit, the so-called soft registration certificate, costs PLN 14,
- hard registration certificate – PLN 54,
- legalization sticker – PLN 12,50.
In principle, this is how the costs look like in terms of official fees, i.e. a total of approximately PLN 160.
The costs are not too high. The whole procedure is quite efficient if you take into account what documents are required and efficiently plan the preparation and handling of them in offices outside the Communication Office, such as excise duty, a certificate of technical inspection, or insurance. If everything is correct, we will be issued a document confirming registration. At the end of the vehicle registration, we will only collect the permanent one.
How to register a car from Germany? Is it possible to register online?
Are you wondering how to register a car imported from Germany quickly and without having to visit the office? Unfortunately, the process of registering a car imported from Germany does not include online car registration. Let us dispel all doubts - the registration application for an imported vehicle must be submitted in person! The first registration in the country includes, among others, issuing a new registration number (issuance of registration plates), issuing a registration certificate, and until recently, a vehicle card. A few years ago, this last document was completely withdrawn. Thanks to this, the cost of registering a car imported from Germany has decreased slightly. We have agreed on the total cost of registration above.
Vehicle inspection when registering a car from abroad – what do you need to know?
Proper registration of a car imported from abroad involves the need to complete several formalities, one of which is a mandatory technical inspection. Without it, the vehicle will not be approved for use in Poland, so it is worth knowing what tests are required, where they can be performed, and what to look for to avoid problems.
Remember that a technical inspection for cars imported from abroad differs from a standard periodic inspection. The diagnostician must assess not only the technical condition of the vehicle, but also check the compliance of the data contained in foreign documents with Polish requirements. In particular, the VIN number, exhaust emissions, lighting condition and brake system are checked. The test can be performed at any vehicle inspection station, and its cost is around PLN 100-200, depending on the type of car. After a positive result, the diagnostician issues a certificate, which should be attached to the application for registration in the communication department.
If it's a vehicle from Germany, it's possible to accept the vehicle's technical inspection performed by the previous owner. It's important that it's up to date.
Are these all car fees from Germany?
Yes, these are all the required documents and their fees. When purchasing and importing a car from Germany, you should take into account the amount of excise tax paid at the customs office, which is something every potential car buyer has an influence on. It's about the displacement of the car's engine. You should know that when purchasing a car with an engine capacity of up to 2000 cc, the customs duty is only 3,1% of the vehicle's value. This price will increase, sometimes quite significantly in the case of a better brand and higher value car, if the purchased vehicle has an engine with a capacity larger than 2000 cc.
In such a situation, the fee to be paid will be 18,6% of the vehicle value.
However, it is worth remembering that excise duty is lower when purchasing new or used hybrid cars. For a fully hybrid vehicle (HEV) and the so-called mild hybrid (MHEV) with a capacity of up to 2000 cm3 is 1,55%. In the case of vehicles with a higher capacity that exceeds 2000 cm3, it is 9,3%. A similar rate (9,3%) applies to plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV), which can be charged from a socket. However, the condition is that the car must be equipped with an engine with a capacity of over 2000 cm3, but a maximum of 3500 cm3.
You have only 14 days from the day you cross the border to file your AKC-U/S declaration. You can do it online by visiting https://puesc.gov.pl/ or in person. After submitting the declaration, you have 30 days to pay the excise tax.
What happens if you don't pay the excise tax on time?
Firstly, car registration from Germany will be impossible, and secondly, the Tax Office will charge penalty interest for each day of delay. It is also worth remembering that if the arrears exceed PLN 7500, the office may initiate penal and fiscal proceedings. As a result, the car will be seized by the state. So it's good to keep an eye on the deadlines!
How much does insurance cost for a car from Germany? Car insurance from Germany
The cost of the policy depends on several factors, such as the type of insurance, the age and history of the driver, as well as the parameters of the vehicle itself. When importing a car, short-term third-party liability insurance is necessary, which allows for safe driving of the vehicle before its registration in Poland. It can be purchased in Germany or after arrival in the country. The cost of such a policy is usually from PLN 100 to PLN 300 for 30 days, depending on the insurer.
When a vehicle is registered in Poland, the owner must purchase standard third party liability insurance, the price of which depends on many factors. The average cost of third party liability insurance for a car imported from Germany is from PLN 800 to PLN 2000 per year, but the premium may be higher for young drivers or vehicles with large engine capacities. If the owner decides to purchase additional insurance, e.g. AC (Autocasco), the cost increases by another PLN 1000-3000, depending on the value of the car and the scope of coverage.
See also: Car insurance – what to pay attention to?
Buying a car from Germany – privately or from a commission shop?
To buy a car imported from Germany, we do not necessarily have to go there in person. Many dealerships in Poland offer cars imported from abroad for sale. If we choose this option, we do not have to worry about excise duty or document translation. This will be done by the commission that brought the car to the country. As a result, we receive a ready-made documentation file and short instructions on which offices to do what and how to register a car from Germany. Such a purchase is definitely safer than buying a car from Germany on your own.
We hope that our article on importing and registering vehicles from Germany was useful. Especially since it often turns out that importing a car from beyond the western border turns out to be very profitable.
See also:
- How to prepare a car purchase and sale agreement?
- Importing a car from the USA? Cost and 5 important rules
- Buying a car – what to pay attention to when buying a car?
- How to drive in winter? Practical advice
FAQ
How long does it take to register a vehicle imported from Germany?
You have 30 days from the moment you bring your vehicle to Poland to register it with the Department of Communications. Exceeding this deadline may result in a financial penalty of PLN 200 to PLN 1000.
What documents are required to register a car from Germany?
When registering a car from Germany, documents such as a purchase and sale agreement or invoice, a German registration document (so-called Brief) and a vehicle registration document in Germany are required. A valid vehicle inspection, proof of payment of excise duty and our identity card will also be useful.
Do I have to translate all documents into Polish?
Yes, all documents prepared in a foreign language, such as a purchase and sale agreement or a foreign registration certificate, must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
How much does it cost to register a car from Germany?
Basic registration fees are PLN 161,50. Additional costs may include document translation (around PLN 200), technical inspection (around PLN 100) and excise duty, the rate of which depends on engine capacity.
What are the consequences of not paying excise duty on time?
Failure to pay excise tax prevents the vehicle from being registered. In addition, the tax office charges interest for late payment, and arrears exceeding PLN 7500 may result in the initiation of criminal and fiscal proceedings, which in extreme cases may lead to the confiscation of the vehicle.
Can I drive a car imported from Germany before it is registered with the transport department?
You can drive a vehicle with foreign registration plates and valid third party liability insurance for a maximum of 30 days from the date of import to Poland. After this period, it is necessary to register the vehicle in the country.
How much does car insurance from Germany cost?
At first, it is necessary to buy short-term third-party liability insurance, which allows you to legally drive your car before registering it in Poland. The price of such a policy is from PLN 100 to PLN 300 for 30 days. After registering the vehicle in Poland, you should buy standard third-party liability insurance, the cost of which is on average PLN 800-2000 per year.
