How to Import a Car from the UK to the EU After Brexit

Brexit changed everything for car buyers and expats moving between the United Kingdom and the European Union. What was once a straightforward process, driving your vehicle across borders within a common regulatory framework – is now a cross-border import procedure with customs formalities, new tax obligations, and stricter documentation requirements. If you’re planning to bring a car from the UK into an EU member state, here’s everything you need to know.

The Post-Brexit Reality

Before the UK officially left the EU’s single market and customs union on 1 January 2021, vehicles could move freely between the two without customs declarations or import duties. That era is over. The UK is now treated as a third country in the eyes of EU customs law, which means importing a British-registered car into any EU member state involves the same procedures that would apply to a vehicle arriving from the United States, Japan, or any other non-EU nation.

This affects expats relocating from the UK to Europe, buyers purchasing used vehicles from UK dealers, and anyone who previously drove a UK-registered car in the EU under the old rules. The consequences of getting it wrong range from heavy fines to seizure of the vehicle at the border.

Step 1: Check Whether Your Vehicle Qualifies for Import Relief

Before spending a single euro on paperwork, check whether you’re eligible for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief – a customs exemption that allows individuals relocating their primary residence to import personal belongings, including a vehicle, without paying import duties or VAT.

To qualify, you must:

Have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months
Have owned and used the vehicle for at least six months before the move
Be transferring your main residence to an EU country permanently
Apply for relief within 12 months of establishing your new EU residence

If you qualify, ToR relief can save you thousands of euros in taxes. However, strict conditions apply – the vehicle cannot be sold, loaned, or hired out for 12 months after importation, or the taxes become immediately payable.

If you don’t qualify for ToR relief, standard import duties and VAT will apply.

Step 2: Understand the Taxes and Duties Involved

Importing a car from the UK into the EU triggers several potential charges:

Customs duty: The EU applies a standard customs duty of 6.5% on passenger vehicles imported from the UK. However, under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), vehicles that meet rules of origin requirements, meaning the car was substantially manufactured in the UK or the EU may qualify for a 0% tariff. British-assembled cars from brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, or MINI may qualify, but vehicles assembled in the UK using predominantly non-UK/non-EU components may not. Always verify the origin status of your specific vehicle before assuming the zero tariff applies.

Import VAT: On top of customs duty, import VAT is charged at the destination country’s standard rate – typically 20–25% depending on the EU member state. This is applied to the customs value of the vehicle (purchase price plus shipping and insurance costs).

Registration tax: Most EU countries impose their own vehicle registration tax on top of import duties. Rates vary widely – from Spain’s emissions-based impuesto de matriculación to Denmark’s notoriously high registration fee, which can exceed the value of the car itself.

Getting the right documentation, including an accurate valuation of the vehicle, is essential to avoid overpaying or triggering disputes with customs authorities.

Step 3: Obtain the Certificate of Conformity (COC)

The Certificate of Conformity (COC) is one of the most important documents you’ll need when importing a vehicle from the UK into the EU. Issued by the vehicle manufacturer, it certifies that the car was built in compliance with EU technical standards and homologation requirements.

EU registration authorities require the COC to confirm that the vehicle meets European safety, emissions, and technical specifications. Without it, your vehicle cannot be registered in the EU, and you’ll face the far more expensive and time-consuming alternative of pursuing individual technical approval – a case-by-case homologation process that can take months.

If your COC has been lost, was never issued with the vehicle, or is not recognised by the destination country’s registration authority, you can obtain a replacement quickly through auto-coc.eu. The platform covers a broad range of manufacturers and delivers your official COC digitally, allowing you to move forward without delays.

One important nuance: some vehicles sold in the UK were built to UK-specific specifications that differ slightly from EU standards. In these cases, the COC may reflect UK-market homologation rather than EU-market approval. If there’s any doubt, check with the registration authority in your destination country before proceeding.

Step 4: Complete Customs Clearance

To formally import the vehicle into the EU, you must submit a customs declaration at the point of entry. This is typically handled through a customs agent or freight forwarder, particularly if the vehicle is being shipped rather than driven across the border.

Documents you’ll need for customs clearance:

Original title and registration document from the UK (V5C logbook)
Proof of purchase (invoice or bill of sale with declared value)
Certificate of Conformity (COC)
Proof of insurance valid in the destination country
ToR relief application, if applicable (Form C104 in the UK, plus destination country equivalent)
Rules of origin declaration from the seller or manufacturer, if claiming 0% tariff under the TCA

The customs authority will issue a Single Administrative Document (SAD), also known as the DUA in Spain, confirming that the vehicle has cleared customs legally. Keep this document – you’ll need it for vehicle registration.

Step 5: Pass the Technical Inspection

Once customs clearance is complete, your vehicle must pass a technical roadworthiness inspection in the destination country before it can be registered. Each EU member state runs its own inspection scheme:

Spain – ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos)
France – Contrôle Technique
Germany – TÜV or DEKRA inspection
Italy – Revisione

Right-hand drive vehicles can present a challenge in EU countries where traffic flows on the right. Some countries require headlight beam deflectors or full headlight replacement to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. Check the specific requirements of your destination country before transporting the vehicle.

Step 6: Register the Vehicle Locally

With customs clearance confirmed, the COC in hand, and a passed technical inspection, you can apply to register the vehicle with the national road authority of your EU country. You’ll also need to pay any applicable local registration taxes at this stage.

Processing times vary by country, but plan for two to six weeks from the point of submitting a complete application. Using a local administrative agent (such as a gestor in Spain) can significantly speed up the process and reduce the risk of errors.

Key Takeaways

The UK is now a third country for EU customs purposes — standard import rules apply.
Transfer of Residence relief can eliminate duty and VAT for qualifying individuals.
Vehicles manufactured in the UK or EU may qualify for 0% customs duty under the TCA rules of origin.
The Certificate of Conformity is mandatory for EU registration — obtain yours at auto-coc.eu if needed.
Right-hand drive vehicles may require modifications to pass technical inspections in EU countries.
Budget for customs duty, import VAT, and local registration tax — all three may apply.

Importing a car from the UK to the EU after Brexit is a multi-step process that demands careful planning, the right documents, and a clear understanding of the tax implications involved. The costs can be significant, but with proper preparation — particularly securing your COC early — the process is entirely manageable. Start with the paperwork before you start the engine.