Importing a car to the Netherlands

The Netherlands has an excellent public transport system, but if you are planning to stay here long-term, you might want to buy a car or bring your car to the Netherlands. But how do you go about this and what are the rules when it comes to importing a car to the Netherlands?

Importing a car: The rules in a nutshell

If you want to drive your car in the Netherlands legally, and avoid getting a traffic fine, there are a couple of things you need to do:

• Register your car
• Pay motor vehicle taxes
• Obtain Dutch licence plates
• Get Dutch car insurance (WA)

On top of this, it is a good idea to make sure you are aware of Dutch traffic rules, such as whether you need a Dutch driving licence.

Help with importing a car to the Netherlands

If importing a car to the Netherlands seems complicated, you can always enlist help to make this important purchase:

• Carsource - Tailor-made expert advice when buying, selling or importing a car

RWD inspection and registration

To register your car, you will need to make an appointment at an RWD (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) inspection station. You will need to bring the following documents to the inspection, as well as the car:

• The foreign licence number certificate
• Your passport or other proof of identity
• Certificate of Conformity (COC)/foreign APK report
• Vehicle inspection report (APK)

Based on the documents you bring, the RWD will assess whether the registration of your car can be transferred. It is possible to have the RWD perform the periodic vehicle inspection (Dutch APK) during the appointment, but you will need to indicate this when making the appointment. If your car still has a valid foreign APK report, you can request it to be transferred.

If you are moving to the Netherlands from a non-EU/EFTA country, you will have to make sure your car is checked by RWD, so it meets Dutch road safety, noise, environmental, and window illuminating feature requirements (if applicable).

You can find out more about registering a car in the Netherlands on our dedicated page.

Paying motor vehicle taxes

Generally speaking, if you import a car to the Netherlands, you will have to pay a one-off motor vehicle tax on it known as the private motor vehicle and motorcycle tax (bpm). The tax is calculated differently depending on whether the vehicle is a car, motorcycle or van. You pay it by submitting a bpm return to the tax office. If you are liable to pay the bpm, you will not be able to register your vehicle until the tax has been paid. 

However, if you are bringing a car with you to the Netherlands as part of your household effects, you may be exempt from paying the tax. 

Removal goods tax exemption

If you move to the Netherlands and bring your car with you, you may be able to receive the removal goods tax exemption. This particular tax exemption makes it possible for expats to import certain household effects without paying import duties.

To qualify for the exemption, you must fulfil the following requirements:

• You are moving to the Netherlands from another country and you are taking your car with you.
• The car is part of your moveable property.
• You will use your car for the same purpose as you used it in your country of origin.
• You bought your car at least six months before you moved to the Netherlands and you have used it during this period, meaning it is not a new car.
• You lived at least 12 months abroad before moving to the Netherlands.

How to apply for the removal goods exemption as an EU/EFTA national

If you are coming to the Netherlands from within the EU/EFTA, you will need to apply for the removal goods exemption within 12 months of moving to the Netherlands. You can apply for the removal goods exemption via the form “Aanvraag vergunning vrijstelling bpm bij verhuizing." You can fill this out on your computer, after which you will need to sign it and send it to the Belastingdienst.

Please note: You will still have to pay bpm, even after receiving the exemption, if you sell or hire out your car within 12 months after its registration in the Netherlands, and/or you lend the car to someone else during this period.

How to apply for the removal goods exemption as a non-EU/EFTA national

If you are moving to the Netherlands from a non-EU/EFTA country, you can still ask for an exemption. However, it is your relocation company that must submit the removal goods exemption to the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration (Douane). Make sure you arrange this well in advance of your move.

How to get a Dutch licence plate

After your vehicle has been checked and approved by the RWD, you will get a licence number certificate within four to five working days. After receiving the certificate, you can have a Dutch licence plate manufactured at a recognised plate manufacturer. Before you are able to drive, you are obliged to take out car insurance for your vehicle.