Importing a vehicle when moving to Luxembourg

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When a person moves to Luxembourg on a permanent basis, they are required to register their vehicle in Luxembourg within 6 months of the date of their declaration of arrival in their commune of residence.

There are a number of administrative procedures to be carried out with various bodies, in a specific order:

  • applying for a registration number (if necessary);
  • taking out a civil liability insurance policy;
  • paying the tax stamp;
  • customs clearance of the vehicle;
  • filing the administrative record with the SNCA.

Who is concerned?

Each person who:

  • is about to settle or who has already settled in Luxembourg; and
  • plans to import the vehicle they own.

The information and procedures in this section do not apply to foreign students who wish study in Luxembourg. Under the Luxembourg Highway Code, students are not required to register their vehicle in Luxembourg by virtue of attending a university or school in Luxembourg.

In addition, when a natural person with their usual place of residence in Luxembourg is provided with a vehicle by a company whose registered office is located in a different EEA Member State, that vehicle need not be registered in Luxembourg, provided that:

  • the person in question personally uses the vehicle in his or her capacity as director, manager or employee of that company; and
  • the vehicle is duly registered in the country where the company has its registered office.

Prerequisites

Any person taking up normal residence in Luxembourg must, as soon as they arrive in Luxembourg, declare their presence to the census office (Bureau de la population) of the communal administration of their new place of residence.

Bill of sale

The bill of sale is a form of proof of ownership enabling the identification of the vehicle and its owner.

To register a vehicle in Luxembourg, the bill of sale is needed when the holder of the registration document is not specified thereon as the owner of the vehicle.

This is commonly the case in many countries of the European Union (EU). The holders named on the registration document in section 'C.1.' or 'C.3.', or for whom the registration document contains a form of wording to the effect that 'the holder of the registration certificate is not identified as the owner of the vehicle' or 'This document is not proof of ownership', must present a bill of sale if they wish to register the vehicle in their name .

Foreign registration documents

A foreign registration document is required to register a vehicle in Luxembourg. All parts of this document must be provided. In the EU, 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, owners must apply for a registration number for the vehicle that they wish to purchase.

Applicants can choose either a number from the current series or a personalised number.

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.

Once the vehicle owner has received confirmation that a registration number has been reserved, they must have the licence plate printed by a licence plate manufacturer.

The registration procedure for vehicles weighing less or more than 3.5 tonnes is identical.

Third-party 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 in a position to provide the vehicle chassis number and Luxembourg registration number, they can ask their insurer to issue a white card and proof of insurance (in the form of a sticker), establishing that the owner has an insurance policy that covers motor vehicle 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 a person wishes to register their foreign-registered vehicle in Luxembourg, they must have the vehicle cleared through customs in Luxembourg to obtain a 705 tax disc (vignette), which is required for permanent registration in Luxembourg.

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, the validity period of such certificates is that provided for by Luxembourg legislation.

The vehicle may also be taken to an approved technical inspection body in Luxembourg prior to registration.

Vehicles not subject to periodic roadworthiness inspections must be covered by a roadworthiness sticker.

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 to be new, or originating outside the EU;
  • EUR 50 tax stamps in order 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 new vehicles purchased outside the EU, or for vehicles that have been converted/modified;
  • if any, the fees for technical inspection or a conformity sticker for vehicles not subject to periodic technical inspections.

'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 amount payable is EUR 24.

Stamp duty can be paid:

  • 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 into the account LU76 0019 5955 4404 7000 (BIC: BCEELULL).

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

  • surname, 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.

How to proceed

Submitting the application for registration of the motor vehicle

In order to register a vehicle previously registered in another country (EU or non-EU) in Luxembourg, applicants must apply to the National Society of Automotive Traffic (SNCA). To do so, they must submit the 'Application for a vehicle registration certificate' form (Demande en obtention d’un certificat d’immatriculation), completed and signed (see under 'Forms / Online services').

The applicant can choose to carry out this procedure at any one of the SNCA's 3 sites:

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.

By submitting the administrative documents, owners can register vehicles with the Luxembourg authorities and obtain a vehicle registration certificate in their own name.

The person submitting the registration documents to the SNCA must bring their identity card. If the documents are submitted by a third party (a person other than the new future owner of the vehicle), that party must produce a mandate and a copy of the future owner's ID document at the time of registration. In this case, it is important to ensure that all the documents state the name of the owner and not that of the representative.

Supporting documents

The application must be accompanied by the following:

  • the tax stamp(s) Droit de Chancellerie;
  • the bill of sale;
  • proof of valid insurance;
  • the customs document (vignette 705);
  • foreign registration documents;
  • an identity document of the owner and/or holder of the vehicle;
  • for vehicles subject to the periodic roadworthiness inspection: a valid roadworthiness certificate for the vehicle in question, issued by a technical inspection body approved in Luxembourg. If the vehicle originates from an EU country, it is possible to present the valid roadworthiness certificate issued by the competent authorities in the country where the vehicle was last registered, provided that the validity period does not exceed that provided for by Luxembourg regulations.

For vehicles originating from the EU, the European certificate of conformity must also be presented for vehicles registered for the first time after 1 February 2016.

Some documents may need to be translated by a sworn translator in Luxembourg.

The originals of all required documents must also be presented.

Technical data to be provided to the SNCA

No additional specific documents are required and the SNCA can proceed with the registration if:

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

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

However, it is necessary to go to an authorised technical service to have a technical report on the vehicle draw up if:

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

These different cases and the related procedures are also valid for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

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 person in whose name the vehicle is registered is notified by post of the amount to be paid to the Customs and Excise Agency. Once payment has been made, the person will receive the permanent road tax receipt by post.

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 residential parking permit for the neighbourhood in which they live. Residents' parking permits are distributed by the commune in question upon presentation of a registration certificate.

Conversion of foreign driving licence

Anyone wishing to settle in Luxembourg can have their foreign driving licence transcribed. In the event of loss, theft or renewal of a driver's licence, this step considerably simplifies administrative procedures.

Good to know

It is now possible to use MyGuichet.lu without a LuxTrust product in order to make an appointment with the reception desk of the Customs and Excise Agency (Administration des douanes et accises - ADA).

The applicant selects:

  • the reason for the application, i.e.:
    • a request for a vignette 705; or
    • other: applicants who choose 'Autre' must give the reason for requesting an appointment;
  • the customs office to which they wish to go for the appointment :
    • Centre (Howald);
    • North (Diekirch);
  • the date and time of their appointment among the proposed time slots.

Please note: Depending on the time slots available, it is possible to select an appointment for the same day.

Online services and forms

Online services

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

Other language(s)

Appointment booking

Prise de rendez-vous auprès de l'Administration des douanes et accises

Downloadable forms

Note: view tips for using PDF forms.

Demande en obtention d'un certificat d'immatriculation

Last update 20.12.2023

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

Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority

2 of 14 bodies shown

Customs and Excise Agency

2 of 11 bodies shown

National Society of Automotive Traffic

2 of 6 bodies shown

SNCT

2 of 7 bodies shown

Related procedures and links

Procedures

Having a foreign driving licence registered, exchanged or converted Paying VAT for a new or used vehicle purchased in an EU Member State Applying for a registration number Importing a new or used vehicle purchased in a country outside the European Union Proof of conformity of a motor vehicle Periodic roadworthiness inspection of vehicles Applying for a residential parking permit

Links

Further information

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