Importing your own car

You are allowed to import your car into Luxembourg, free of tax charges, providing it is included in your initial move and that you have owned and driven the car for more than six months. Your name must be on the title papers of the car and it must also be insured in your name. Please be aware that if you decide to sell your car within one year of import you will have to pay a duty of 11% plus 15% VAT of the then current price of your car.

How to import your car

Importing your car, or even registering a Luxembourg-bought car in your name, can be very time consuming and frustrating. There are a number of procedures that need to be followed carefully in the correct order if you want the process to be as smooth as possible.

1. Obtain two copies of your residence permit from administration office of your local commune, you will need them as part of your documentation.
2. If you are importing via an import company they will process the necessary papers for you but if you are importing on your own you will need to get customs clearance for your vehicle from the Centre Douanier in Gasperich. Ask them for a “vignette 705” which you will need when you later register the car. Take with you:
   • the original vehicle receipt (if less than six months old or less than 6,000km);
   • car registration papers;
   • your residence permit;
   • the car (so the chassis number can be inspected).

3. You must now request a registration number from the Transport Ministry in Sandweiler - SNCT. This can be done either by:

   • Email - nplaques@snct.lu
   • Tel - +352 357 214-237
   • Fax - +352 357 214-246

   They will need your social security number.

4. If you haven’t already got your insurance papers, then request them from your insurer (your insurance must be in order before you continue with the registration).
5. Purchase a 'consular fee' stamp (€50.00) from the Administration de l’Enregistrement et des Domaines and ask them for a 'request to obtain a registration card' form (une demande pour l’obtention d’une carte d’immatriculation).

6. Now you can request a registration card (carte d’immatriculation) by going to the Technical Station (Contrôle Technique) in Sandweiler, Esch-sur-Alzette or Wilwerwiltz with the following documentation:

   All cars:

   • request form from the Administration de l’Enregistrement et des Domaines;
   • the “consular fee” stamp;
   • valid insurance certificate (from a company registered in Luxembourg);
   • sales document proving ownership of the vehicle;
   • proof of clearance from customs (vignette 705);
   • a European conformity certificate;
   • passport of the person registering the vehicle.

   Cars already registered in the EU

   • the original registration document from the country of origin.

   Second-hand cars (already registered in Luxembourg)

   • the Luxembourg registration papers (carte grise or grey card);
   • copy of the seller's passport (if private sale).

   You will now receive your registration number.

7. Once you have your registration number you must arrange to have your license plates made. There are a number of places you can do this, including Jean Grün in Howald and Lux Signalisation in Sandweiler (see useful contacts). Please take with you your registration number, passport and insurance papers (green card).

8. Now you have your licence plates fitted you must return to the Technical Station (Contrôl Technique) for an inspection of your car. You need to take your car papers, insurance certificate (green card) and registration card (carte grise). You will have to pay cash or bancomat of around €25.

   Please note: this can be very time consuming and involve a long wait.

   If your car passes Contrôle Technique you will be issued with a certificate and a temporary tax disk, which is valid for twenty days. If your card doesn't pass Contrôle Technique you will be given ten days to sort out any repair that needs doing and you then have to return for a further inspection.

9. A few days after successfully passing Contrôl Technique, you will receive a letter from Customs and Excise (Administration des douanes et accises) asking you to pay motor tax, which you should do promptly before your temporary disk expires. Once you have paid you will receive your proper tax disk, which is valid for one year.

EU nationals may travel freely with their car throughout Europe but if they reside in another EU country for six months or more, they must register the car and pay registration tax.

Cars over three years old must pass through Control Technique every year for inspection. You will normally be sent a reminder to do this. You need to take with you your insurance certificate (green card), registration card (carte grise) and your old inspection card.

Most towns in Luxembourg do not have parking metres, instead you have a parking time-disk, which you display in full view to show the time you parked. However if your area of residence does have parking meters you can ask your the administration office of your commune for a resident's parking permit that allows you to park without charge.