Importing a car to the Netherlands

Are you moving to the Netherlands with a vehicle?

If you move to the Netherlands and bring your car with you as a so-called ‘moving article,’ you can keep your registration plates for 6 months. After that, you have to apply for Dutch vehicle registration at the RDW. Your vehicle must be approved by the RDW and it requires a physical inspection.

Rules for importing vehicles

The rules when requesting vehicle registration for a vehicle from inside an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country are different from those when requesting registration for a vehicle from outside EU or EFTA member states. For example, if your vehicle still has a valid foreign vehicle approval (APK), then the RDW can take over this expiration date.

When importing a newly-bought vehicle from outside the EU, you will also have to pay customs duty.

Importing a car from the EU or EFTA

Are you importing the car from a country within the EU or the EFTA? For instance from Germany or Switzerland? Then have the car tested at an RDW testing station in your neighbourhood. You make an appointment for this. You can also indicate whether the RDW should do the foreign vehicle inspection (APK) immediately. If the foreign APK is still valid, you can have it taken over.

Importing a car from outside the EU or EFTA

Does the car come from outside the EU or EFTA? Then the RDW tests the car extensively (in Dutch). The test usually takes place at the RDW test centre in Lelystad.

Licence plate registration: how does it work?

Your car must be registered in the Netherlands. You can arrange for a licence plate at the RDW. Are you importing a car from an EU or EFTA country? Then the RDW examines the foreign vehicle registration certificate and takes over data if possible.

You can register the car from abroad in the name of your business if it is a general partnership (VOF), limited partnership (CV), private limited company (BV), or public limited company (NV). You cannot register a car in the name of a:

• sole proprietorship
• professional partnership
• shipping company
• legal entity in the process of formation

In these cases, you register the car in your own name. However, you can use the car for business purposes.

Make a BPM declaration

After having the car inspected by the RDW, you will have to file a return for private vehicle and motorcycle tax (BPM) with the Netherlands Tax Administration. This applies to passenger cars, vans, trucks, and motorcycles.

How much does importing a car cost?

You can calculate how much BPM you will have to pay (in Dutch). After approval by the RDW and the Tax Administration, the RDW will send you a new vehicle registration certificate within 5 working days.

Paying motor vehicle tax (MRB)

You are automatically registered for motor vehicle tax (also known as road tax, motorrijtuigenbelasting or wegenbelasting in Dutch).

Paying VAT

You always have to pay VAT on new and nearly new vehicles you bring into the EU (in Dutch). A vehicle is nearly new if it was first used no longer than 6 months ago. Or has not driven more than 6,000 kilometres.

Have number plates made

Have you received the new registration certificate? Then have number plates made at an authorised number plate manufacturer (in Dutch, enter your postcode or place name then click on the filter Kentekenplaten laten maken).

Arrange for car insurance

Also get your car insured on time. Before you take to the road, you must take out at least third-party liability insurance.