Importing a vehicle when moving to Luxembourg

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Summary:

When settling permanently in Luxembourg, the registered holder/owner of a motor vehicle must complete a number of procedures with various bodies in a specific order.

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When you take up permanent residence in Luxembourg, you must:

To do this, you must complete several procedures with various bodies in a specific order:

  1. apply for a registration number (if necessary);
  2. take out a civil liability insurance policy;
  3. pay the tax stamp;
  4. customs clearance of the vehicle;
  5. book an appointment with the SNCA.

Who is concerned

Each person who:

  • is about to move to Luxembourg or has already settled there; and
  • plans to import the vehicle they own.

Special cases

Foreign students

The information and procedures in this section do not apply to foreign students who wish study in Luxembourg.
This is because, under the Highway Code, if you are studying in Luxembourg, you are not required to register your vehicle in the country if you attend:

  • a university; or
  • a school in Luxembourg.

Company car

If your company is headquartered in another Member State of the European Economic Area and provides you with a company car, this vehicle must not be registered in Luxembourg if:

  • you use the vehicle yourself in your capacity as a director, manager or employee of that company; and
  • the vehicle is duly registered in the country where the company has its registered office.

Prerequisites

If you move your main place of residence to Luxembourg, you must register with the population office at the communal administration of your new place of residence upon arrival.

Preliminary steps

Bill of sale

The bill of sale serves as proof of ownership and makes it possible to:

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

In many European Union (EU) countries, it is common for the registration document not to clearly identify you as the owner.

It frequently mentions:

  • the holders listed under heading 'C.1.' or 'C.3.' ; or
  • 'the holder of the registration certificate is not identified as the owner of the vehicle' or 'this document does not constitute proof of ownership'.

In such cases, a bill of sale must be provided in order to:

  • prove that you are the owner of the vehicle;
  • register this vehicle in your name in Luxembourg.

Foreign registration documents

To register the vehicle in Luxembourg, you will need to provide the complete foreign registration document.

In the EU, this registration certificate usually consists of 2 parts.

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.

Clearing customs and, where necessary, paying Luxembourg VAT

If you wish to register a vehicle previously registered in another country in Luxembourg, you must complete certain customs clearance formalities for the vehicle in Luxembourg:

  • customs formalities relating to the payment of customs duties and certain charges;
  • any formalities related to VAT payments.

This allows you to obtain the 705 tax certificate required for the permanent registration of your vehicle in Luxembourg.

Technical inspection

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

There are 3 options for this:

  • the technical inspection certificate for your vehicle, which was previously registered in another Member State of the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, remains valid when you register the vehicle in Luxembourg. However, the period of validity of this certificate is determined by Luxembourg law;
  • you can have your vehicle inspected by an approved technical inspection body in Luxembourg before registering it;
  • your vehicle is not subject to periodic inspection but must then be covered by a conformity sticker.

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 a vehicle in Luxembourg that has already been registered in another (EU or non-EU) country, 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:

  • the tax stamp(s) Droit de Chancellerie;
  • the bill of sale;
  • proof of valid insurance;
  • the customs tax certificate (vignette 705);
  • foreign registration documents;
  • the European certificate of conformity for vehicles registered for the first time after 1 February 2016;
  • your identity document; or
  • if the application is being submitted by a third party:
  • for vehicles subject to the periodic technical inspection: a valid technical inspection certificate issued by:
    • an approved technical inspection body in Luxembourg; or
    • the competent authority of the European Union (EU) country where the vehicle was last registered, provided that the period of validity does not exceed that specified by Luxembourg regulations.

The SNCA may require certain documents to be translated by a sworn translator in Luxembourg.

You must submit each document in its original version.

Technical data to be provided to the SNCA

No specific additional documents are required.

The SNCA can proceed with the vehicle registration if:

  • the vehicle has a European certificate of conformity; or
  • the vehicle was registered in another EU country, but its technical data is complete and documented (on the foreign registration certificate or by means of technical reports).

For vehicles that do not have a European certificate of conformity the technical data is verified during registration.

In addition, you must visit an approved technical service centre to have a technical report drawn up if your vehicle:

  • does not have a European certificate of conformity and the available technical data is incomplete;
  • was registered in another EU country and the available technical data is incomplete;
  • has never been registered in another EU country.

Please note: all of the above also applies to vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes.

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.

Subscribe to the eDelivery service for road tax (Autosteier) invoices and/or discs

You can enable the eDelivery feature to receive the road tax (Autosteier) invoices and/or discs electronically in your private eSpace on MyGuichet.lu. You can subscribe under 'Services catalogue › Bodies › Administration des douanes et accises'.

This step is essential in order to receive these documents in your private eSpace. Without explicit activation of the subscription, neither the invoice nor the road tax disc will be sent to you in electronic form.

Once you have subscribed to this feature, you will be automatically notified by email as soon as an invoice is posted in your private eSpace. Once the invoice has been paid, the road tax disc will also be posted in your private eSpace: all you have to do is print it out and keep it in your vehicle.

For security reasons, and to reduce the risk of phishing, the notification emails do not contain any links. To view the invoice and/or road tax disc, please log in to your private eSpace (via the browser version or the mobile application).

If you use the MyGuichet.lu mobile app and have enabled push notifications, you will also be notified on your mobile device.

By subscribing to the eDelivery service, you agree to no longer receiving invoices and road tax discs by post.

You may also withdraw your consent at any time to receive your invoices and road tax discs by post again. You can also unsubscribe under 'Services catalogue › Bodies › Administration des douanes et accises'.

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.

Conversion of foreign driving licence

Anyone wishing to settle in Luxembourg can have their foreign driving licence transcribed.

This procedure makes it possible to significantly streamline administrative procedures in the event of:

  • loss;
  • theft
  • renewal of the driving licence.

Online services and forms

Online services

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

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

2 of 14 bodies shown

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2 of 6 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/

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Procedures

Links

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