Registering a Foreign Vehicle in the Netherlands

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Registering a Foreign Vehicle in the Netherlands

A person registered as a legal resident in the Netherlands may not own and use a vehicle from another country. Tourists and visitors to the Netherlands, and those living in the country with partial non-resident status under the 30% tax ruling, may drive their foreign-plated car.

The process of importing a foreign-registered vehicle to the Netherlands for personal use is similar regardless of whether it is registered in an EU or non-EU country. 

The RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer) is the national authority for road traffic, transport and vehicle administration.

• Comprehensive information is available in Dutch from the RDW: Click here (refer to the top left drop-down menu)

EU-registered vehicles

There is free movement of goods throughout the EU area, and this applies to all personal belongings including cars and motorcycles. However, an import permit is needed for a tax-free registration of a car or motorcycle. Permits are granted to those who have lived in another EU state for at least twelve months and who have owned the car or motorcycle for at least six months. It may not be sold for 12 months after arrival in the Netherlands. The owner should apply for this permit at the Dutch customs office in their Dutch town of residence (or intended residence).

If moving to the Netherlands from an EU-member state, there are no special requirements for bringing a used vehicle and no additional VAT/BTW will be due provided the car is more than six months old or has more than 6,000 Km on the odometer. 

Non-EU vehicles

If moving to the Netherlands from a non-EU country, privately owned cars or motorcycles may be registered tax-free although a permit is required. It is advisable to apply for this permit from the customs office of the intended district of residence before arriving in the Netherlands. 

A permit may be granted if the applicant has lived in a non-EU state for at least twelve months and has owned the car or motorcycle for at least six months. In addition to the permit, a Single Administrative Document (Enig Document) must be completed.

Vehicle taxes

If the import permit is not granted, the vehicle may still be imported, however it will be taxed.

• Information on taxes from the Dutch Customs authority (Douane Nederlands): Click here

Taxes that may be involved in the import process are: 

• Value Added Tax (VAT/BTW)
• BPM (Bijzondere Verbruiksbelasting van Personenautos). "Green" tax is payable by the first person to register a car or motorcycle in the Netherlands. This does not apply to the first car for those settling in Holland if it can be shown to be part of the families goods and furniture on first arrival into Holland.
• Import duties (rechten bij invoer)

Registering the Vehicle

Before a foreign vehicle can be used on Dutch roads it must:

1. Have a registration number, the associated registration certificate (kentekenbewijs) and number plates (kentekenplaaten) 
2. Appropriate road tax must be paid
3. It must be covered by third-party liability insurance

Registration certificate

In order to be issued with a Dutch vehicle registration certificate a vehicle requires a technical inspection to ascertain that it complies to Dutch safety and emissions standards. The inspection is made at an RDW authorised test centre (RDW-keuringsstation). 

The vehicle may not be driven - not even to the test centre - unless the driver has a an "one day registration certificate" (ééndagskentekenbewijs) which can be arranged when an appointment is made.

• RDW (Centrum Voor Vervoertechniek en Informatie)
  At: Europaweg 205, Postbus 777, 2700 AT Zoetermeer
  Tel: 0900 0739 
  Website  
• To find a RDW test centre: Click here

Appointments are not obligatory for passenger cars from 08:30-12:00 weekdays.

The following will be required:

• The vehicle
• Proof of identity (passport or driver's licence) (Identiteitsdocument, paspoort or rijbewijs)
• Proof of residence (property title deeds, rental contract, utility bill, insurance certificate) (bewijs van het verblijf)
• A copy of the foreign registration certificate (inschrijvingsbewijzen van motorrijtuigen)
• Conformiteitsverklaring if European type-approval has not been issued 
• A Certificate of Conformity (certificaat van overeenstemming, CVO) if European type-approval has been issued
• A customs clearance certificate (certificaat van inklaring)
• A copy of the certificate of purchase 

If the vehicle is three years old or older, APK-testing for roadworthiness is required, however in the case of vehicles imported for private use, the RDW performs both tests simultaneously.

BPM Submission when relevant

After approval, the RDW will issue a declaration form (BPM-aangifteformulier) for motor vehicle tax (BPM). This declaration must be given to the BPM customs authorities at the RDW test centre. 

• The Dutch Customs website gives the addresses of the BPM-declaration points.

Once documentation is completed, the vehicle registration certificate is sent to the owner's residence. Drivers are responsible for obtaining their own registration plates. This can be done at a recognised garage (see below).

The vehicle must have at least third party insurance before it may go on the roads.

Road Tax

Road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting) must be paid as soon as a car or motorcycle is registered in the Netherlands. Forms are available at post offices or from the Tax Office. Various payment methods and terms are allowed. Pricing varies depending on the vehicle, its fuel and district of registration. 

• Belastingdiens, Centraal Bureau Motorrijtuigenbelasting (CBM)
  PO-Box 9047, 7300 GJ Apeldoorn
  Tel: 055 578 2244
  Website
• To find rates and charges: Click here and then select "rekenprogramma" (in Dutch)

Dutch Registration Plates

Two number plates are issued for a car and one for a motorcycle. The number plate manufacturer will register the owner's information and stamp the Vehicle Certificate. 

Provide the following

• Proof of identity (Identiteitsdocument)
• Vehicle Certificate
• Certificate of Ownership
• For a list of authorised licence plate manufacturers: Click here

Further Information

• Douane Nederlands (Dutch Customs)
  Information line: 045 574 3031 Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00 (from outside the Netherlands dial +31 45 574 3031)
  Website
• RDW 
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Exchanging Foreign Driving Licences in the Netherlands
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Driving in the Netherlands
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Roadworthiness in the Netherlands
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Insuring a Vehicle in the Netherlands