Registering a car bought in Germany in Poland: detailed instructions
Buying a car in Germany is a popular choice among Polish residents due to the high quality of cars and affordable prices. However, after purchasing a car in Germany, it is necessary to register it in Poland. This process includes several stages: transportation, document check, technical inspection, payment of customs duties, and registration. In this article, we will take a closer look at all the stages and costs.
Transportation of a car to Poland
After buying a car, you need to organize its transportation to Poland. You can use one of two methods:
- Drive the car yourself: To do this, you need to apply for temporary German transit license plates (Kurzzeitkennzeichen or Exportkennzeichen) and purchase the appropriate insurance.
- Transportation company: You can use the services of carriers who will deliver the car on a carriage. The cost of delivery depends on the distance (usually 1000-2000 PLN).
Checking the documents.
It is important to make sure that you have received all the necessary documents from the seller:
- Purchase and sale agreement (Umowa kupna-sprzedaży) or invoice (Faktura).
- Certificate of registration (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II).
- Technical passport with confirmation of deregistration of the vehicle in Germany.
- Certificate of conformity (CE, if available) confirming that the car meets European standards.
Customs control and excise tax
All cars imported from EU countries to Poland must be declared at customs and excise tax must be paid.
The excise tax depends on the engine size:
- 3.1% of the car’s value – for cars with an engine up to 2000 cm³.
- 18.7% of the cost of the car – for cars with an engine over 2000 cc.
Declaration procedure:
- Register the car on the PUESC platform.
- Submit an electronic declaration AKC-U/S.
- Pay the excise tax at the tax office or via bank transfer.
After paying the excise tax, you will receive a confirmation that you need to register the car.
Technical inspection (Przegląd techniczny)
If the car was bought in Germany, you need to undergo a mandatory technical inspection in Poland. Even if the technical inspection in Germany is still valid, Polish law requires a second inspection.
The cost of the inspection is about PLN 100 and it can be done at any certified service station (Stacja Kontroli Pojazdów).
Translation of car documents
In order to register a car in Poland, documents issued in Germany (in particular, Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II, purchase agreement, etc.) must be translated into Polish. This must be done through a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły) accredited by the Polish Ministry of Justice.
Cost of translation:
- The cost of translation depends on the number of pages and the type of documents, usually 50-100 PLN per page.
The translation of documents is a mandatory step, as without it, the Communication Department will not accept the application for car registration.
Car registration at the Communication Department (Wydział Komunikacji)
After completing all the previous steps, you need to submit documents for car registration.
List of documents:
- A completed application for registration (Wniosek o rejestrację pojazdu).
- Purchase and sale agreement or invoice.
- German registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II).
- Proof of payment of excise tax.
- Confirmation of technical inspection.
- OC compulsory insurance policy (can be obtained in advance from an insurance company).
- Proof of payment of the registration fee.
The cost of registration:
- New license plates – 80 PLN.
- Registration certificate – PLN 54.
- Temporary certificate – PLN 13.50.
- Validation sticker – PLN 12.50.
- Environmental fee (if the car is imported from Germany) – PLN 500 (for certain categories of cars).
Total cost of registration: 160-600 PLN, depending on the condition of the car and the need for an environmental fee.
Obtaining permanent license plates
After submitting all the documents, you will receive temporary license plates valid for 30 days. Permanent license plates are made during this period.
Car insurance
Before registering, be sure to take out a policy of compulsory third-party liability insurance (OC). The cost of the policy depends on the driver’s age, driving experience, car type, and other factors.
Tips for buyers:
- Estimate the cost: Always check the average cost of the car to avoid overpriced excise taxes.
- Timeliness: Do not delay registration, as missing the deadline may result in fines.
- Trusted service centers: Use only certified stations for technical inspection.
Registering a car bought in Germany in Poland is a multi-stage process that requires careful adherence to the rules. Knowing the necessary documents, procedures and costs will help you avoid difficulties and register your car in a short time.
