Purchase of a used vehicle that was last registered in Luxembourg

Last update

Summary:

The purchase of a second-hand vehicle that was last registered in Luxembourg is subject to certain conditions before you can be authorised to drive it on public highways.

Who is concerned: any Luxembourg resident buying a second-hand vehicle that was last registered in Luxembourg.

Go to online services and forms

Before you can drive on public roads after purchasing a second-hand motor vehicle, you must:

There are a number of administrative procedures you have to carry out with various bodies, in a specific order:

  1. apply for a registration number (if necessary);
  2. take out a civil liability insurance policy (third-party insurance);
  3. pay the tax stamp;
  4. book an appointment with the SNCA.

When you buy a vehicle from a professional seller (car dealership, garage, etc.), all the administrative formalities are generally taken care of by the seller.

Who is concerned

Anyone who:

  • is living in Luxembourg; and
  • purchases a vehicle that was last registered in Luxembourg.

Garages and companies authorised to trade in road vehicles can carry out the procedure on behalf of their customers.

If the administrative documents are submitted by a third party, that person must:

  • present a written power of attorney (mandate) issued by the owner or holder of the vehicle;
  • ensure that the name of the vehicle's holder, owner or keeper appears on all the documents, and not that of their representative (mandate holder).

Vehicles concerned

This procedure applies to the following vehicles:

  • cars;
  • motorcycles;
  • mopeds;
  • tricycles;
  • quadricycles;
  • camping-cars;
  • vans;
  • tractors and machinery with a maximum design speed that does not exceed 6 km/h and whose weight exceeds 600 kg;
  • trailers, including agricultural trailers towed at more than 40 km/h;
  • buses;
  • lorries;
  • articulated lorries.

Prerequisites

Residence in Luxembourg

You must:

Bill of sale

When you purchase your vehicle, the seller must provide you with a bill of sale, which serves as proof of ownership and enables you to:

  • identify the vehicle; and
  • prove that you are its owner.

If the seller is:

  • a legal person; the document must be a bill of sale printed on letterhead paper, with the business's intra-community VAT number shown on it. Your signature as the buyer is not required on a bill of sale;
  • a natural person: the document must be a sales contract. This document must be signed by the seller and yourself.

A number of details must appear on the bill of sale:

  • the date of transaction;
  • the details of the vehicle:
    • the vehicle identification number;
    • the brand (manufacturer);
    • the model (commercial name);
    • the mileage;
  • information about the seller and buyer:
    • for natural persons: surname, first name, address, signature;
    • for legal persons: company name, address, VAT number;
  • the sales price, and whether or not VAT is included;
  • VAT-related data: the VAT on a vehicle must always be paid in the country of destination – i.e. the country where the vehicle is registered.

 

If the bill of sale is missing or it is impossible to trace the new owner with certainty, the SNCA may register you as the holder on the registration certificate and not as the owner.
Thus, in the section identifying the registered holder, the entry C.4c 'n’est pas identifié par le certificat d’immatriculation comme propriétaire du véhicule' (is not identified by the registration certificate as the owner of the vehicle) will appear, and no owner will be listed on the registration certificate.

Registration certificate

The Luxembourg registration certificate (formerly known as the carte grise, or grey card) now consists of 2 parts:

  • a grey part (part 1); and
  • a yellow part (part 2).

Both parts of the certificate are required to register the vehicle.

However, the seller must forward the registration certificate to the SNCA within 5 working days of the sale.

The vehicle registration procedure is the same regardless of your vehicle's weight:

  • under 3.5 tons; or
  • over 3.5 tons

Luxembourg registration number and licence plates

Before you begin the procedure, you must:

  • use a registration number that is still reserved in your name; or
  • apply for a registration number for the vehicle you wish to purchase. You can choose:
    • a number from the current series; or;
    • a personalised number.

The allocation of a registration number does not mean that the vehicle is:

  • registered;
  • automatically approved for registration.

Once you have received confirmation that your registration number has been reserved, you must order your number plate at an approved number plate manufacturer in Luxembourg.

Before your vehicle is registered, you may only drive it:

  • between the point of sale and the place where the vehicle will be registered; and
  • to a garage or repair shop to undergo a repair, technical modification or conversion, or inspection;
  • if you have:
    • fitted red licence plates; or
    • fitted licence plates bearing the number that will be used when the vehicle is registered; and
    • a civil liability insurance.

Civil liability insurance

To drive your road vehicle on a public highway, you must have a third-party liability insurance policy (RC Autos), taken out with an approved insurance company in Luxembourg.

You can ask your insurer for an insurance certificate and an international insurance card (if you are buying your vehicle abroad) as soon as you are able to provide the following:

  • the vehicle identification number; and
  • its Luxembourg registration number.

This document, with an active validity period, is required to register the vehicle in your name.

Technical inspection

When you re-register your vehicle in Luxembourg, its technical inspection documents must be up-to-date.

There are 2 options for this:

Costs

Costs

In addition to the cost of the vehicle itself and that of the insurance premium, you will need to allow for the following payments:

  • VATin Luxembourg on any vehicle classified as new or originating from outside the European Union (EU);
  • a EUR 50 tax stamp (stamp duty) to register the vehicle, plus an additional fee of:
    • EUR 200 for a personalised licence plate number; or
    • EUR 24 if a personalised number is being transferred;
  • the licence plates themselves;
  • additional registration and acceptance fees for any converted/modified vehicles; ;
  • where applicable, the cost of the technical inspection, or the cost of a conformity sticker for vehicles not subject to periodic technical inspections (such as tractors and machines).

Stamp duty

You can pay the stamp duty:

  • at one of the competent offices of the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (Administration de l’enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA); or
  • by bank transfer to the following account:

Account holder: AED-GUICHET UNIQUE-TIMBRES
IBAN: LU76 0019 5955 4404 7000
BIC:BCEELULL
Postal address: B.P. 31 L-2010 Luxembourg

Stamps are not sent by post.

If paying by bank transfer, you, as the future owner, must submit proof of the transfer (debit statement) at the time of registration. The following information must appear on the proof of payment:

  • surname, first name;
  • specific reason for the transfer;
  • licence plate number and vehicle identification numbers

The tax stamp is also available from the SNCA vehicle registration offices, but you will need to pay an additional EUR 3 in administrative fees.

 

How to proceed

Registering the motor vehicle

Application

To register your vehicle in Luxembourg, you must:

Submitting the administrative documents enables you to:

  • register the vehicle with the Luxembourg authorities; and
  • obtain a registration certificate for the vehicle issued in your name.

Supporting documents

You must also enclose with your application:

  • your identity document; or
  • if the application is being submitted by a third party:
  • the tax stamp(s) Droit de Chancellerie; and
  • the bill of sale; and
  • a valid insurance certificate; and
  • the registration certificate (parts 1 and 2); and
  • a valid technical inspection certificate for vehicles subject to periodical technical inspection; and
  • the European certificate of conformity for vehicles registered for the first time after 1 February 2016.

If the application is submitted by a third party, it is important to ensure that all documents state the owner’s name and not that of the representative.

You must submit each document in its original version.

If your vehicle has undergone modifications and alterations that have not yet been recorded on the registration certificate, it is subject to a conformity check during which you must present supporting documents for the modifications or alterations.

Owner's obligations

As the vehicle owner, you must inform the SNCA of any change of residence within one month.

Road tax

When registering the vehicle at the SNCA, you are issued a temporary road tax certificate, which is valid for 30 days.

As a general rule, you must have a valid road tax certificate (i.e. have paid the road tax) in order to drive a vehicle registered in Luxembourg on public roads.

The Customs and Excise Agency (ADA):

  • sets the amount of this tax:
    • based on data recorded by the registration authorities; and
    • in accordance with the applicable rates;
  • will notify you of the amount of this tax.

If payment of this tax on your vehicle is overdue:

  • fewer than 60 days: the Grand Ducal police and customs and excise officials may issue a fine of EUR 74;
  • more than 60 days: the Grand Ducal police and the customs and excise officials may immobilise the vehicle on the public road.

Parking permit

Many communes now require you to have a parking permit that allows you to park your vehicle in your neighbourhood. You can collect your residential parking permit from your commune upon presentation of your vehicle registration certificate.

Online services and forms

Online services

Activate the eDelivery function for the road tax (Autosteier) invoices and/or certificates

Other language(s)

Vehicles and registration numbers

View your vehicle information and reserved registration numbers in your private eSpace on MyGuichet.lu.

Other language(s)

Downloadable forms

Note: view tips for using PDF forms.

Demande en obtention d’un certificat d’immatriculation

Last update 02.04.2026

PDF308 Kb

Mandat pour toute démarche nécessaire auprès de la Société nationale de circulation automobile

Last update 20.12.2023

PDF302 Kb

Who to contact

Customs and Excise Agency (ADA) Central Office

Address:
3, rue des Prés L-7561 Mersch
B.P. 182, L-7502 Mersch
Phone:
(+352) 274 88 488
Fax:
(+352) 274 88 300
Email address:
caisse.centrale@do.etat.lu
Website:
https://douanes.public.lu/fr/acteur/bureaux/caisse_centrale.html
Open ⋅ Closes at 17.00
Thursday:
8.00 to 17.00
Friday:
8.00 to 17.00
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Monday:
8.00 to 17.00
Tuesday:
8.00 to 17.00
Wednesday:
8.00 to 17.00

2 of 6 bodies shown

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED)

    Address:
    1-3, avenue Guillaume L-1651 Luxembourg
    B.P. 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 800
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 90 400
    Email address:
    info@pfi.public.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Central Revenue Office

    Address:
    308, route d'Esch L-1471 Luxembourg
    BP 1004, L-1010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 753
    Email address:
    lux.rc@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu
    Closed ⋅ Opens tomorrow at 8.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    From 08.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Civil Registry Office Diekirch

    Address:
    Place Guillaume (Hôtel des Postes) L-9237 Diekirch
    BP 174, L-9202 Diekirch
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 810
    Email address:
    diek.ac@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Civil Registry Office Esch-sur-Alzette

    Address:
    33-35, rue Zénon Bernard L-4031 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg
    BP 244, L-4003 Esch-sur-Alzette
    Email address:
    esch.ac@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Civil Registry Office Grevenmacher

    Address:
    Schiltzeplaz (Hôtel des Postes) L-6774 Grevenmacher
    Postfach 22 / L-6701 Grevenmacher
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 585
    Email address:
    grevenmacher@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Department for office management and operation

    Address:
    1-3, avenue Guillaume L-1651 Luxembourg
    BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 800
    Email address:
    remboursement.transport@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Fines and Collection Office

    Address:
    308, route d'Esch L-1471 Luxembourg
    BP 1004, L-1010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 910
    Email address:
    lux.ar@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Luxembourg Civil Registry Office 2

    Address:
    308, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg
    BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 926
    Email address:
    lux.ac2@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Luxembourg Guichet Unique

    Address:
    308, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 337
    Email address:
    aed.lgu@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu
    Closed ⋅ Opens tomorrow at 8.30
    Thursday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Friday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Tuesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00
    Wednesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority

    Address:
    1-3, avenue Guillaume L-1651 Luxembourg
    BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 800
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 90 400
    Email address:
    info@pfi.public.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Registration, Inheritance, Mortgages

    Address:
    308, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg Luxembourg
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Reporting

    Address:
    1-3, avenue Guillaume L-1651 Luxembourg
    BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 385
    Email address:
    AED.Alerte@en.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) VAT department

    Address:
    308, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg Luxembourg
    BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

  • Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) Wills service

    Address:
    1-3, avenue Guillaume L-1651 Luxembourg
    B.P. 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 475
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 80 473
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 90 400
    Email address:
    info@aed.public.lu
    Website:
    https://pfi.public.lu

2 of 14 bodies shown

  • Transport SNCT - national technical inspection centre

    Address:
    Luxembourg

  • SNCT - national technical inspection centre SNCT Bissen

    Address:
    4, Z.A.C Klengbousbierg L-7795 Bissen Luxembourg
    11, rue de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler
    Phone:
    (+352) 26 15 62 222
    Appointments for technical inspections
    Fax:
    (+352) 26 15 62 200
    Email address:
    info@snct.lu
    Website:
    http://www.snct.lu/

  • SNCT - national technical inspection centre SNCT Esch-sur-Alzette

    Address:
    22-28, rue Jos Kieffer L-4176 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg
    11, rue de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler
    Phone:
    (+352) 26 15 62 500
    Phone:
    (+352) 26 15 62 222
    Appointments for technical inspections
    Fax:
    (+352) 26 15 62 200
    Email address:
    info@snct.lu
    Website:
    http://www.snct.lu/

  • SNCT - national technical inspection centre SNCT Livange

    Address:
    251, route de Luxembourg L-3378 Livange Luxembourg
    11, rue de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler
    Phone:
    (+352) 26 15 62 222
    Appointments for technical inspections
    Fax:
    (+352) 26 15 62 200
    Email address:
    info@snct.lu
    Website:
    http://www.snct.lu/

  • SNCT - national technical inspection centre SNCT Marnach

    Address:
    23, Marbuergerstrooss L-9764 Marnach Luxembourg
    11, rue de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler
    Phone:
    (+352) 26 15 62 222
    Appointments for technical inspections
    Fax:
    (+352) 26 15 62 200
    Email address:
    info@snct.lu
    Website:
    http://www.snct.lu/

  • SNCT - national technical inspection centre SNCT Sandweiler

    Address:
    11, rue de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler Luxembourg
    11, rue de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler
    Phone:
    (+352) 26 15 62 500
    Phone:
    (+352) 26 15 62 222
    Appointments for technical inspections
    Fax:
    (+352) 26 15 62 200
    Email address:
    info@snct.lu
    Website:
    http://www.snct.lu/

2 of 6 bodies shown

Related procedures and links

Procedures

Links

Further information

Download

Guide des démarches fréquentes de la SNCA

Pdf • 388 Kb

Legal references

Code de la route

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