What to do with Ukrainian cars in Europe: register or sell?

After February 24, 2022, millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee to Europe in their cars. Some countries are tightening the requirements for registering cars with Ukrainian license plates. Learn more about the peculiarities of using a car with Ukrainian license plates abroad

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The European Union countries are tightening the requirements for registration of cars with Ukrainian license plates. Therefore, it is worthwhile to understand the cost of re-registration, what documents are required, and what problems drivers may face.

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What are the fines for using cars with Ukrainian registration in the EU?

Germany remains the largest country in the European Union by the number of Ukrainian refugees. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, as of December 16, 2024, almost 1.2 million people were officially recognized as refugees there. A significant number of Ukrainians arrived in Germany in their own cars, which necessitated the regulation of their status in the country.

At the end of 2024, new rules for cars with Ukrainian license plates came into force in Germany. Now all vehicles that have been in the country for more than one year must be registered in Germany. Failure to comply with this requirement is considered an administrative violation, which is punishable by a fine of EUR 70.

At the same time, the German authorities count the period of stay of a car not from the moment of its importation, but from the moment of registration of the owner in the country. If the vehicle was delivered later, the relevant authorities must be notified. Also, if the car is to be exported outside Germany, this information should be registered with the administrative services.

It is worth noting that the rules may differ in other EU countries. For example, Poland, home to almost 1 million Ukrainians, does not require mandatory car registration until the expiration of temporary protection.

Earlier, we told you how to re-register a car with Ukrainian license plates in Germany.

The cost of re-registering a car

Re-registering a Ukrainian car in the EU is a rather expensive process, regardless of the country of residence. The total cost may exceed 1.5 thousand euros, taking into account all the necessary procedures and fees.

The vehicle registration itself costs about 100 euros on average. One of the most costly parts is the mandatory technical inspection, which, together with the issuance of a European certificate of conformity, will cost about 500 euros. Additionally, you need to pay an annual car tax - from 200 euros.

The most costly part is compulsory civil liability insurance (CTP), which can cost about 800 euros. Ukrainian drivers have to pay for insurance as if they were new to the country, as European companies do not take into account driving experience with a Ukrainian license. If the technical condition of the car does not meet the requirements, you will have to spend extra money on repairs.

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How to register a Ukrainian car in Europe?

Registering a car in the EU involves several mandatory steps. In most European Union countries, import duties and VAT must be paid for registration. Usually, this percentage depends on the age of the car and the country of registration. For example, in Poland, the excise tax varies from 3.1% to 18.6% of the car's value, and in Germany, the tax depends on the engine size and CO₂ emissions.

The car must meet European environmental standards (e.g., Euro 5 or Euro 6). If the car does not meet these requirements, it will have to be re-equipped or other options will have to be considered.

After fulfilling all the requirements, the car receives local license plates, and the driver must take out a motor vehicle liability and insurance. It is important to note that crossing borders in the EU requires a Green Card policy, which can be quickly issued through Visit Ukraine.

Registration is advisable if you plan to stay in the EU for a long time and the car is in good technical condition.

What difficulties can drivers expect when re-registering a vehicle?

Many Ukrainian car owners will find it difficult to pass the strict European technical inspection, as it is much stricter than the Ukrainian requirements. This is especially true for old cars that have not undergone any technical inspection for a long time. The main obstacle will be obtaining a certificate of conformity, without which it is impossible to register a vehicle in the EU.

It is especially difficult to re-register cars from the United States, which are numerous in Ukraine, in Europe. Due to differences in lighting and safety standards, such registration can be a serious challenge.

If a person does not plan to leave a car in Europe forever, it is more expedient to sell it in Ukraine and buy a new one in the EU, where car prices are lower due to the absence of import duties.

On the positive side, some countries, such as Germany or Spain, do not require the removal of a car from Ukrainian registration, which simplifies the process of owning a car abroad.

To learn more about the peculiarities of the technical inspection procedure in Ukraine in 2025, please follow the link.

Is dual registration possible for Ukrainian cars?

Ukrainian cars that have been exported to the EU and received local registration there may have the so-called “dual” status. This means that the car remains registered in Ukraine, but at the same time has European documents.

If the owner of such a car decides to return to Ukraine, no customs duties need to be paid. It is enough to simply replace the license plates with Ukrainian ones before crossing the border. As explained by the State Customs Service, if the vehicle has not lost the status of a Ukrainian product and the fact of its previous export is recorded, it is returned without customs clearance and without the need to re-register at the service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It is important to check whether the car remains in the Ukrainian register. If the registration is still intact, you can enter Ukraine without hindrance. If the car already has exclusively European license plates, it falls under the temporary import regime. This period is 180 days for non-residents of Ukraine, and less for residents. In case of violation of the terms, fines or even confiscation of the car are possible.

Regardless of whether you are registering a car or selling it, it is important to have a Green Card to legally drive on EU roads. Visit Ukraine offers a fast online Green Card application - get an insurance policy in a few minutes and travel safely!

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We remind you! The Green Card insurance policy is mandatory for traveling by car in 50 countries of the world. Read more about the penalties for drivers if they do not have a Green Card or if their insurance policy has expired.

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