Using a foreign-registered car in Poland

toliThreads: 3 Posts: 10 Joined: Sep 17, 07 ♂	Sep 26, 07, 00:51 #1
Hello, What's the situation with bringing in a car registered in another EU country into Poland and using it for, say, two years? Would it have to be re-registered locally, to receive Polish number plates? What are the negative consequences, if any, of not doing this (insurance implications, cannot be used at all etc)? Thanks.

inkrakow

Sep 26, 07, 04:53 #2

Registering an imported car is possible but a LOT of hassle. You'll also have to pay an import duty on it, up to 13% of the value I think, depending on how big the engine is. You'll also have to have a permanent place of residence. You don't say where you are coming from but it's MUCH more difficult to register a RHD car. I have a car here on UK number plates which I have no intention of registering here and I plan to be here for another 3-4 years. I have European insurance and need to drive it back to the UK once a year for MOT and tax disc.

♂

Sep 26, 07, 06:16 #3

Quoting: inkrakow

also have to pay an import duty on it, up to 13% of the value I think, depending on how big the engine is

I think you may not be quite right here as we don't have import duties within the EU.

Quoting: inkrakow

I have a car here on UK number plates which I have no intention of registering here and I plan to be here for another 3-4 years. I have European insurance and need to drive it back to the UK once a year for MOT and tax disc.

But can you legally drive it in Poland? I'm not keen to register my car in Poland at all, it's just that I'd probably have to do it to use it here if I stay for more than 183 days during a year.

toliThreads: 3 Posts: 10 Joined: Sep 17, 07 ♂	Sep 26, 07, 06:18 #4
And no, the car's not RHD.

inkrakow

Sep 26, 07, 06:58 #5

Quoting: toli

I think you may not be quite right here as we don't have import duties within the EU.

sorry, I'm not sure I get the terminology right but I meant akcyza (excise???) which is currently 3.1%/13.5% for cars below/above 2000cc. I think it's been declared illegal by the EU tribunal but Poland hasn't altered her laws yet to follow. There's a good guide to importing a car into Poland here (in Polish): http://tinyurl.com/2qlve3

inkrakow

Sep 26, 07, 07:00 #6

Quoting: toli

But can you legally drive it in Poland? I'm not keen to register my car in Poland at all, it's just that I'd probably have to do it to use it here if I stay for more than 183 days during a year.

Yes, it's legal. It's registered to me at a real address, insured, taxed etc. I think that if you spend more than 6 months here you are meant to reregister it but I as far as I know, no one checks.

toliThreads: 3 Posts: 10 Joined: Sep 17, 07 ♂	Sep 28, 07, 04:58 #7
Thanks!

♂

Feb 4, 10, 17:59 #8

Feb 5, 10, 21:53 - Thread attached on merging:
How long may I use a foreign registered car in Poland

I want to leave a Spanish registered car in Gdynia for my use when I'm over there. This should be no more than 2 to 3 months a year and at intervals of no more than a week or two at any one time. Can I do this without having to re-register the vehicle on Polish plates. Is there a limit before you must take the car out of the country? Thanks

Wroclaw BoyThreads: 56 Posts: 5,264 Joined: Jul 3, 09 MEMBER ♂	Feb 4, 10, 18:03 #9
Just make sure its legal in its country of origin and you have the right insurance, no problems.

SzwedwPolsceThreads: 12 Posts: 1,915 Joined: Feb 21, 09 ♂	Feb 4, 10, 21:37 #10
I know Poland has/had some strange rules about this.

♂

Feb 4, 10, 21:54 #11

SzwedwPolsce:

I know Poland has/had some strange rules about this.

How can they?

You are allowed to take your car to any country within the EU for up to 12 consecutive months so long as its road legal in the country of origin. Its the Law and as much as Poland thinks it can adapt/break the law to suit itself it cant.

You shouldn't have any problems driving a spanish registered car here, Just be prepared to be stopped by the corrupt police quite a lot as they are very partial to bribes.

Forfour44Threads: 7 Posts: 63 Joined: Oct 22, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 18:25 #12
I have had my English car in Poland now for one year. I have never been stopped. I have had no problems. Well one problem. Trying to reg my car in Poland. But that prob wont happen at all.

♂

Feb 5, 10, 18:35 #13

SzwedwPolsce:

I know Poland has/had some strange rules about this.

All EU countries base it on residence - you shouldn't be driving a car on foreign plates in another country if you're legally resident there for tax purposes. This is pretty much universally defined as being resident in the country for more than 185 days a year.

Ireland is *very* tough on this, and Denmark is following - but Poland, like the UK, isn't particularly bothered. It's a lot to do with the tax upon registering a vehicle for the first time - Ireland and Denmark have huge taxes associated with this, but Poland (like the UK) have such low fees that it's not worth chasing up.

dnzThreads: 25 Posts: 806 Joined: Dec 2, 07 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 18:52 #14
I change my car so often they couldn't keep track if they wanted to.

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