Transferring vehicles to Austria

General information

If a vehicle, for example a car, is to be transferred to Austria, it must be equipped with number plates and be insured. The following options are available:

• Foreign transfer plates
  The vehicle dealer abroad will provide export or transfer plates accompanied by short-term third-party liability insurance. In Austria, it is normally possible to use the vehicle during the period of validity of these plates for up to a maximum of four weeks. This period can be extended by a further four weeks if there are delays in the official processing of the vehicle, in which case the validity period applicable in the country from which the vehicle is being imported is also taken into account. The period which expires first takes precedence.
• Austrian transfer plates
  You can apply for green transfer plates in Austria. These are issued for a maximum period of 21 days.
• Austrian trial plates
  The blue trial plates are not permitted in all EU countries.
• Standard foreign number plates (registration abroad) or standard Austrian number plates (registration in Austria prior to transfer)
• Vehicle transported on a trailer or towed with a tow rope

Further information

As the EU is a Customs Union, no customs duties are payable when importing vehicles (e.g. cars or motorcycles) from other EU countries.