Buying a vehicle last registered outside Luxembourg
Last update
Before driving a second-hand motor vehicle on public highways for the first time, buyers must register the vehicle in their own name and obtain a registration certificate from the National Society of Automotive Traffic (Société nationale de circulation automobile - SNCA).
There are a number of administrative procedures to be carried out with various organisations. These must take place in a specific order:
- applying for a registration number (if necessary);
- applying for a registration certificate for a road vehicle;
- taking out a civil liability insurance policy;
- customs clearance of the vehicle;
- paying the tax stamp;
- filing the administrative record with the SNCA.
When a private individual purchases a vehicle from a trader (dealer, garage forecourt, etc.), the related procedures are generally performed by professional sales people.
Who is concerned?
Any person who:
- purchases a vehicle already registered in a country other than Luxembourg;
- wishes to register the vehicle in their name.
The vehicles to which this procedure relates are cars, motorbikes, mopeds, tricycles, quad bikes, motor homes, vans, tractors and machinery (with a maximum design speed of 6 km/h and weighing over 600 kg), trailers (including farm trailers pulled at a speed of over 40 km/h), buses, lorries and semi-trailers.
Prerequisites
Buyers must be listed in the National Registry of Natural Persons with a Luxembourg address and a valid identity document.
Preliminary steps
Bill of sale
A bill of sale acts as the purchaser's proof of ownership and identifies the vehicle and its legal owner.
If the seller is a legal person, the document must be a sales invoice on headed paper indicating an invoice number and bearing the business' intra-community VAT number. The buyer's signature is not required on a sales invoice.
If the seller is a natural person, the document must be a sales contract. This document must be signed by both parties. If the vehicle has been sold several times without being registered, the sales contracts must be traceable back to the person registered on the most recent registration certificate.
A number of details must appear on a bill of sale:
- date of transaction;
- details of the vehicle: the chassis number, the make (manufacturer) and 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 sale price, and whether or not VAT is included;
- VAT-related data: the VAT on a vehicle must always be paid in the destination country – i.e. the country where the vehicle is registered.
Foreign registration documents
A foreign registration document is required to register a vehicle in Luxembourg. Buyers must make sure to obtain all parts of the registration document from the seller.
In Europe, many countries issue a two-part registration certificate for registered vehicles. The document should state how many parts there are.
Luxembourg registration number and number-plates
Before starting the process, future owners must apply for a registration number for the vehicle that they wish to purchase.
Applicants can choose either a standard-series number or a personalised number.
Once confirmation has been received that a registration number has been reserved, the licence plate must be printed by a licence plate manufacturer.
Unlike many foreign registration systems, the allocation of a registration number does not mean that the vehicle is registered, nor that it has automatically been accepted for registration.
Vehicles purchased abroad can be moved to Luxembourg on a trailer or semi-trailer. This avoids temporary registration procedures which, depending on the country, may be rather complicated, to varying degrees. In fact, no registration at all is required for a vehicle that is being transported on a trailer. In addition, each country has its own laws and procedures that may be more or less costly and complex for temporary registration with a view to selling vehicles abroad.
Road vehicles that need to be registered and are covered by insurance can be driven on a public highway in Luxembourg without being registered if they have red plates or licence plates bearing the number that will be used when the vehicle is registered. This applies for the direct journey between the point of sale and the place of registration, as well as for direct transfer to a garage or repair shop for repair, technical modification, conversion or inspection.
Civil liability insurance
Driving a road vehicle on a public highway requires a civil liability-type insurance policy (RC Autos) to be taken out with an approved insurance company in Luxembourg.
As soon as future owners are able to inform their insurers of the vehicle chassis number and Luxembourg registration number, they can ask them to issue a green card and proof of insurance (in the form of a sticker) signifying that the owner has an insurance policy that covers civil liability.
Proof of a valid insurance policy is required in order to register the vehicle in the future owner's name.
Clearing customs and, where necessary, paying Luxembourg VAT
When someone buys a vehicle registered outside Luxembourg, they have to pay customs duty on the vehicle in Luxembourg so that they can be issued with the road tax disc (vignette 705) needed for final registration in Luxembourg.
'Droit de Chancellerie' (stamp duty)
For a vehicle to be registered, the future owner must pay stamp duty by purchasing a tax stamp (timbre fiscal or timbre de chancellerie) in the amount of EUR 50.
When a vehicle is registered with a personalised registration number, an additional EUR 200 is payable on top of the standard amount of stamp duty. In the event of the transfer of a personalised number from one vehicle to another vehicle that is to be registered, the duty payable is EUR 24.
Stamp duty can be paid:
- at one of the competent offices of the Luxembourg Land Registration and Estates Department (Administration de l'enregistrement et des domaines); or
- by bank transfer into the account LU76 0019 5955 4404 7000 (BIC: BCEELULL).
If paying by bank transfer, the future owner must submit proof of transfer (debit notice) at the time of registration.
The following information must appear on the proof of payment:
- surname and first name;
- specific reason for the transfer;
- vehicle registration and chassis numbers.
Tax stamps are also available from the SNCA Registration department. There will also be a EUR 3 supplement for administrative fees.
Technical inspection
When registering a vehicle that is already registered, the inspection documents for the vehicle must be current.
Roadworthiness inspection certificates for vehicles previously registered in another EEA Member State or in Switzerland that have been issued by the competent authorities of that State remain valid if the vehicle is registered in Luxembourg.
However, this certificate shall not be valid for longer than the period allowed under Luxembourg law.
The valid technical inspection certificate must be drafted in one of the official languages in Luxembourg. If this is not the case, the certificate must be translated by a sworn translator in Luxembourg for acceptance purposes (subject to the conformity of the technical inspection).
Failing this, the vehicle can also undergo a technical inspection with one of the approved technical inspection bodies in Luxembourg before the vehicle is registered.
Costs
In addition to the cost of the vehicle itself and the insurance fees, the following, in particular, are payable:
- VAT in Luxembourg for any vehicle considered new that was purchased abroad or originated outside the EU;
- EUR 50 in tax stamps to register the vehicle, as well as:
- EUR 200 for a personalised number; or
- EUR 24 if the personalised number is being transferred;
- licence plates;
- additional registration and acceptance testing fees for any vehicles purchased outside the EU or for vehicles that have been converted/modified;
- if any, the fees for technical inspection or a registration conformity sticker for vehicles not subject to periodic roadworthiness inspections.
How to proceed
Motor vehicle registration
In Luxembourg, notice of registration of a vehicle that has been purchased must be given to the SNCA using the following documents:
- a completed and signed application for a registration certificate;
- Droit de Chancellerie stamp(s);
- bill of sale;
- proof of valid insurance;
- customs document;
- foreign registration documents;
- a valid technical inspection certificate for vehicles subject to regular technical inspection;
- the European certificate of conformity for vehicles registered for the first time after 1 February 2016;
- a copy of the identity document, if the seller and/or buyer is a natural person.
The customer can choose to carry out this procedure at any one of 3 SNCA sites:
- in northern Luxembourg (Fridhaff);
- in central Luxembourg (Sandweiler);
- in southern Luxembourg (Esch-sur-Alzette).
The Sandweiler, Esch-sur-Alzette and Fridhaff sites invite applicants to make an appointment to submit the administrative documents, either online or by phone on (+352) 26626 - 400.
An original copy of all the documents that have to be produced must be submitted.
If vehicles are not covered by a European certificate of conformity (for example, vehicles originating outside the European Union) or if the documents certifying the vehicle's conformity are incomplete or show inconsistencies, the vehicle undergoes a conformity check.
By submitting the administrative documents, owners can register vehicles with the Luxembourg authorities and obtain a vehicle registration certificate in their own name.
Vehicle owners must inform the SNCA of any change in home address within one month.
The person submitting the registration documents to the SNCA must have an identity card. If the documents are submitted by a third party (a person other than the new future owner of the vehicle), a mandate and a copy of the future owner's ID document must be presented at the time of registration. In this event, it is important to ensure that all the documents state the name of the owner and not that of the representative.
Road tax
When registering the vehicle at the SNCA, the owner is issued a temporary road tax disc which is valid for 30 days.
Apart from some exceptions, all vehicles registered in Luxembourg, and used on the public highway, are subject to road tax.
The Customs and Excise Agency determines the tax due on the basis of the data registered by the registration authorities and according to the rates in force. The decision of the final tax is sent to the debtor of the tax.
If the road tax for the vehicle in question remains unpaid for more than 60 days, the Grand-Ducal Police and customs and excise officers may issue a EUR 74 fine.
If the road tax for the vehicle in question remains unpaid for more than 60 days, the Grand-Ducal Police and customs and excise officers may immobilise the vehicle on public roads.
The Customs and Excise Agency (ADA) now offers the activation of the eDelivery function for road tax invoices. All invoices relating to road tax (Autosteier) can now be issued in electronic format (PDF) in the private eSpace on MyGuichet.lu.
To benefit from this service, interested parties must subscribe to the eDelivery function. The subscription can be made via the MyGuichet.lu private eSpace under 'My data'" in the 'Transport' section, under 'Road tax' (Autosteier). This step is necessary to receive the ADA invoice in the electronic mailbox of the private eSpace.
Moreover, it is now also possible to receive the road tax disc by electronic means. You will need to activate the specific eDelivery function for this. Once the invoice has been paid, the road tax disc will be sent and you can print it out and keep it in your vehicle.
When you receive the new message and the road tax disc in your private eSpace, you will be notified by email.
Parking permit
Many communes now require motor vehicle owners to obtain a permit to park in the neighbourhood where they live. Residents' parking permits are distributed by the commune in question upon submission of a registration certificate.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
National Society of Automotive Traffic
-
National Society of Automotive Traffic
- Address:
-
11, rue de Luxembourg
L-5230
Sandweiler
Luxembourg
B.P. 23 - L-5201 Sandweiler
- Phone:
- (+352) 26626 - 400
- Fax:
- (+352) 35 72 14-210
- Email address:
- info@snca.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snca.lu
-
Assignment of vehicle registration numbers
- Address:
- 11, route de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 26626 - 400
- Email address:
- nplaques@snca.lu
-
Driving Licence Office
- Address:
-
11, rue de Luxembourg
L-5230
Sandweiler
Luxembourg
B.P. 23 - L-5201 Sandweiler
- Phone:
- (+352) 26626 - 400
- Fax:
- (+352) 8002 3666
- Email address:
- pdc@snca.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snca.lu
-
National Society of Automotive Traffic - Esch-sur-Alzette station
- Address:
- 22, rue Jos Kieffer L-4149 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 26626 - 400
- Email address:
- info@snca.lu
-
National Society of Automotive Traffic - Sandweiler station
- Address:
-
11, rue de Luxembourg
L-5230
Sandweiler
Luxembourg
B.P. 23 L-5201 Sandweiler
- Phone:
- (+352) 26626 -400
- Email address:
- info@snca.lu
-
National Society of Automotive Traffic - Fridhaff station
- Address:
- 8, rue Fridhaff L-9379 Diekirch Luxembourg
- Phone:
- +35226626400
- Email address:
- info@snca.lu
2 of 6 bodies shown
SNCT
-
SNCT
- Address:
- Luxembourg
-
Technical Inspection Centre Wilwerwiltz
- Address:
-
1, route de Pintsch
L-9776
Wilwerwiltz
Luxembourg
11, rue de Luxembourg L-5230 Sandweiler
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 500
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 222
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 200
- Email address:
- info@snct.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snct.lu/
Appointment for technical inspection: (+352) 26 15 62 - 222 -
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
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 200
- Email address:
- info@snct.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snct.lu/
Appointment for technical inspection: (+352) 26 15 62 - 222 -
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
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 200
- Email address:
- info@snct.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snct.lu/
Appointment for technical inspections: (+352) 26 15 62 - 222 -
SNCT Marnach
- Address:
- 23, Marbuergerstrooss L-9764 Marnach Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 222
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 200
- Email address:
- info@snct.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snct.lu/
Technical inspection appointments: (+352) 26 15 62 - 222 -
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
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 200
- Email address:
- info@snct.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snct.lu/
Technical inspection appointments: (+352) 26 15 62 - 222 -
SNCT Livange
- Address:
-
251, route de Luxembourg
L-3378
Livange
Luxembourg
11, rue de Luxembourg / L-5230 Sandweiler
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 222
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 15 62 - 200
- Email address:
- info@snct.lu
- Website:
- http://www.snct.lu/
Technical inspection appointments: (+352) 26 15 62 - 222
2 of 7 bodies shown
Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority
-
Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority
- Address:
-
1-3, Avenue Guillaume
L-1651
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 31 L-2010
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80800
- Fax:
- (+352) 247 90400
- Email address:
- info@aed.public.lu
- Website:
- http://www.aed.public.lu/
-
Central Revenue Office
- Address:
-
308, route d'Esch
L-1471
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80753
- Email address:
- lux.rc@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
From 08.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 -
Wills service
- Address:
-
1-3, avenue Guillaume
L-1651
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Fax:
- (+352) 247 90400
- Email address:
- info@aed.public.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
Fines and Collection Office
- Address:
-
1-3, avenue Guillaume
L-1651
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80910
- Email address:
- lux.ar@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
Luxembourg Civil Registry Office 2
- Address:
-
308, route d’Esch
L-1471
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80926
- Email address:
- lux.ac2@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
Civil Registry Office Grevenmacher
- Address:
-
Schiltzeplaz (Hôtel des Postes)
L-6774
Grevenmacher
Luxembourg
Postfach 22 / L-6701 Grevenmacher
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80585
- Email address:
- grevenmacher@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
Civil Registry Office Diekirch
- Address:
-
Place Guillaume (Hôtel des Postes)
L-9237
Diekirch
Luxembourg
BP 174, L-9202 Diekirch
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80810
- Email address:
- diek.ac@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
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
-
Luxembourg Guichet Unique
- Address:
- 308, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80337
- Email address:
- aed.lgu@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
From 08.30 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 -
Registration, Inheritance, Mortgages
- Address:
- 308, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
VAT department
- Address:
-
308, route d’Esch
L-1471
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
Department for office management and operation
- Address:
-
1-3, avenue Guillaume
L-1651
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80800
- Email address:
- remboursement.transport@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
Reporting
- Address:
-
1-3, avenue Guillaume
L-1651
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80385
- Email address:
- AED.Alerte@en.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
-
Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority
- Address:
-
1-3, avenue Guillaume
L-1651
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
BP 31, L-2010 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 80800
- Fax:
- (+352) 247 90400
- Email address:
- info@pfi.public.lu
- Website:
- https://pfi.public.lu
2 of 14 bodies shown
Customs and Excise Agency
-
Customs and Excise Agency
- Address:
-
22, rue de Bitbourg
L-1273
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 1605 - L-1016 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 28 18
- Fax:
- (+352) 28 18 92 00
- Email address:
- douanes@do.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://douanes.public.lu/fr.html
-
Customs Office – East, Grevenmacher
- Address:
-
6, rue de la Moselle
L-6757
Grevenmacher
Luxembourg
B.P. 30 L-6701 Grevenmacher
- Phone:
- (+352) 2818 - 3000
- Fax:
- (+352) 2818 - 3290
- Email address:
- centredouanier.est@do.etat.lu
- Website:
- http://www.do.etat.lu/bureaux.htm
Mon.-Fri. from 8.00 to 17.00 -
Customs Office – Diekirch North
- Address:
-
2, rue Clairefontaine
L-9290
Diekirch
Luxembourg
B.P. 77 L-9201 Diekirch
- Phone:
- (+352) 81 70 45-1
- Fax:
- (+352) 81 70 45-71
- Email address:
- CentreDouanierNord@do.etat.lu
-
Customs Office - Luxembourg-Howald
- Address:
-
1, rue in Bouler (Croix de Gasperich)
L-1350
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 1122 L-1011 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 44 99
- Fax:
- (+352) 28 18 41 00
- Email address:
- BRLuxembourg@do.etat.lu
Mon.-Fri. from 8.00 to 17.00 -
Central Office
- Address:
-
3, rue des Prés
L-7561
Mersch
Luxembourg
B.P. 182 L-7502 Mersch
- Phone:
- (+352) 27 48 84 88
- Fax:
- (+352) 27 48 83 00
- Email address:
- caisse.centrale@do.etat.lu
Mon.-Fri. from 8.00 to 17.00 -
Customs and Excise Directorate – Disputes and Cooperation Department
- Address:
-
22, rue de Bitbourg
L-1273
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 1605 L-1016 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 28 18
- Fax:
- (+352) 28 18 92 00
- Email address:
- cashcontrol@do.etat.lu
-
The eDouane (eCustoms) Helpdesk
- Address:
- Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 20 00
- Fax:
- (+352) 28 18 92 01
- Email address:
- servicedesk@do.etat.lu
-
Licensed Premises Service – Customs and Excise Agency
- Address:
-
Centre douanier Luxembourg-Howald Croix de Gasperich - 1, rue in Bouler
L-1350
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 1122 L-1011 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 44 88
- Fax:
- (+352) 28 18 41 50
- Website:
- https://douanes.public.lu/fr.html
-
Service Vignette 705
- Address:
- Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 44 99
- Email address:
- vehicules@do.etat.lu
-
Revenue Office Bettembourg
- Address:
-
Terminal Intermodal - Z.A.E. Wolser E, 100
L-3434
Dudelange
Luxembourg
B.P. 39 L-3201 Bettembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 55 99
- Email address:
- BRBettembourg@do.etat.lu
-
Customs and Excise Directorate - National and International Cooperation Department
- Address:
-
22, rue de Bitbourg
L-1273
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 1605
- Phone:
- (+352) 28 18 22 21
- Fax:
- (+352) 28 18 22 84
- Email address:
- cashinfo@do.etat.lu
2 of 11 bodies shown
Automobile Club du Luxembourg
-
Automobile Club of Luxembourg
- Address:
- 54, route de Longwy L-8080 Bertrange Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 45 00 45 – 1
- Fax:
- (+352) 45 04 55
- Email address:
- acl@acl.lu
- Website:
- http://www.acl.lu/
-
Ingeldorf Agency of the Automobile Club
- Address:
- 34, route d'Ettelbruck L-9160 Ingeldorf Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 450045-2
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Portail de la fiscalité indirecte
de l'Administration de l'enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA
-
Buying and leasing a car
on the Your Europe portal
-
Car registration in another EU country
on the Your Europe portal
-
Car registration documents and formalities
on the Your Europe portal
-
Portail des douanes et accises
Site web de l'Administration des douanes et accises
-
National Society of Automotive Traffic (SNCA)
Website
-
Société nationale de contrôle technique (SNCT)
Site web
-
Automobile Club Luxembourg (ACL)
Website
Download
Legal references
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