How to register a car in Luxembourg

There are a few important steps in this procedure, that you will follow most of the time. Administrative procedures are the same for residents and non-residents, but some peculiarities may differ according to your vehicle type and specific situation.

1. Prepare all the papers you will need.
2. Apply for a registration number and get license plates.
3. Get the certificate of compliance (COC).
4. Take out third-party liability motor insurance.
5. Carry out the customs clearance and the VAT payment if it’s a new car.
6. Pass the technical inspection test.
7. Pay the tax stamp.
8. Apply for a registration certificate.

Who needs to register a car in Luxembourg?

Before starting the registration procedure, it's important to determine whether you actually need to do it. Generally, you will need to register a car in Luxembourg in the following cases.

You have moved to Luxembourg or plan to do so

If you are a new resident in Luxembourg, you are required to register your vehicle within 6 months of the date of your declaration of arrival in your commune of residence. This applies to both EU and non-EU citizens. If you are a temporary resident, such as a student or a worker, you may be exempt from registration.

You plan to import a car you own from abroad

If you already own a car that you want to bring into Luxembourg from another country, you will need to register it. This applies to both new and used cars. In some cases, you may be exempt from paying customs duties or VAT, depending on your personal circumstances.

There are two exceptions for special groups of people.

Foreign students who intend to study in Luxembourg are not subject to car registration

According to the Luxembourg Highway Code, these students are not obligated to register their vehicle in Luxembourg merely because they are attending a university or school in the country.

Workers in Luxembourg who are given a vehicle by a company that is registered in another EEA Member State

The vehicle does not have to be registered in Luxembourg under two conditions: you must use the vehicle in your role as a director, manager, or employee of the company, and the vehicle should be properly registered in the country where the company is registered.

What documents are needed to register a car in Luxembourg?

After determining whether you need to register your vehicle, the next step is to collect the paperwork that you must provide for the procedure. The first two necessary documents are supposed to be in your hands when you became the owner of a car. If you for some reason don't — contact the person or company with whom you purchased the vehicle.

How to get a registration number and license plates?

Luxtoday

Luxembourgish license plates consist of two letters, followed by four numbers. The first letter on the license plate can indicate the region in Luxembourg where the vehicle is registered, while the second letter is usually chosen by the vehicle owner. The four numbers in the middle of the license plate are assigned sequentially by the Luxembourgish authorities.

License plates here have a yellow background with black lettering and are made of aluminum. They also feature the European Union flag and the letter L under it: which stands for Luxembourg.

Getting the registration number in Luxembourg

Normally, you will have two options. You can opt for the current series of numbers or select a personalized number, but it will add a fee. Keep in mind, that the ordinary plates are connected to the vehicle, not the owner, and there is no special market for custom plates.

Current series numbers

• Affixed to the vehicles and remain with them throughout their lifetime.
• Composed of 2 letters and 4 digits.
• Assigned in order (you will be given the next available in the series)
• Subject to a 50 euros tax, but the fee payment is due only when you register the vehicle.

Personalized registration numbers

• Retained by their owners unless they surrender them.
• Created according to three versions of numbers: 5 digits, 2 letters and 4 digis and 4 digits with different assignment schemes.
• Subject to a 50 euros tax plus a personalization fee of 50 euros if it’s the first time you use the number. If you want to take someone else number, that is no longer valid, the fee will be only 24 euros. The tax and extra fees are due only when you register the vehicle.

When a number in Luxembourg has been reserved you will receive a letter at your residence address stating what number was assigned or chosen. To apply for a registration number, you can go to MyGuichet.lu, use the MyGuichet.lu mobile application or contact SNCA (Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile).

In contrast to various registration systems abroad, obtaining a registration number does not imply that the vehicle has been registered or has been granted registration approval automatically. Rather, it simply reserves the selected number for future use.

Getting the license plates in Luxembourg

Upon receiving confirmation of your reservation, it is necessary to have your registration plates produced by an approved manufacturer. There is a list of all of them available on the SNCA website, where you can choose the best option for you.

How to get the car certificate of compliance in the EU?

When registering a car in Luxembourg, this certificate is one of the required documents that must be provided to the authorities. The EU Certificate of Conformity (COC) is a document that confirms that a car meets the safety and environmental standards set by the European Union.

It is valid in all EU countries once you receive it for your vehicle. Do not mix it up with National Certificates of Compliance, which are only valid in the country where it was issued. The document is obligatory for all new cars that are sold or registered, so if you plan to buy a brand-new car in Luxembourg, you will receive these documents with it.

To obtain a compliance certificate for a car, the manufacturer must carry out a series of tests and inspections to ensure that the car meets the requirements of the system. The certificate is then issued by the manufacturer and provided to the owner of the car.

For previously owned cars

If your old manufacturer cannot provide you with the certificate, but you have the technical data documented in the foreign registration certificates or previous technical reports, you may attach these documents when registering the vehicle. SNCA should be able to proceed with the registration without problems or guide you to the next step.

If you don’t have a COC and the technical data is incomplete, you must visit an authorized technical service center in Luxembourg to obtain a technical report for the vehicle.

How to get a certificate of roadworthiness in Luxembourg?

As a car owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your car is in a roadworthy condition at all times. This means that your car should be regularly maintained and serviced, and safe to drive. You are required to present your car for roadworthiness testing, which is a mandatory inspection that assesses the safety and environmental standards of your vehicle and gives you a Certificate of roadworthiness.

A certificate that is done correctly is valid even if the ownership of the car changes: you won't need to obtain a new certificate if you buy your car from an individual.

When you move to another EU country with a car, you will need to provide proof that it has passed a roadworthiness test in your previous country of residence. That means, that if you already have a certificate for a vehicle in another EEA Member State or Switzerland, it will remain valid as long as you register the vehicle in Luxembourg within 6 months of arriving at the commune.

How to pass a technical inspection?

If you don't have a valid certificate or the inspection documents are not up to date, you must have the vehicle inspected by an approved technical inspection body in Luxembourg before you can register it. The inspection will cover the safety and roadworthiness of the vehicle, so it's important to make sure that the vehicle is in good condition before you take it in for inspection.

It is impossible to pass the technical inspection before you initiate the process of registration for the vehicle. If there is no information on the registration form of the car, then the inspection will not be carried out.

There are several companies, that can perform authorized inspections for the registration of cars in Luxembourg. All of them have convenient online appointments available on the website, and price rates for all types of vehicles can be found there.

How to get car insurance in Luxembourg?

Before driving your car on public roads in Luxembourg, it is mandatory to have a third-party civil liability-type insurance policy in place. To get insurance for your vehicle, you need to provide the vehicle number and Luxembourg registration number to an approved insurance company.

There are various companies, that provide insurance services in Luxembourg. You need to choose the right one, based on the compensation amounts, best offers, and other important factors. The most popular insurance companies in Luxembourg are AXA, Bâloise, Foyer, and LALUX.

How to import a car through the customs office?

If you're purchasing a new or used vehicle from a country outside the European Union, you'll need to carry out certain customs clearance formalities to register it in Luxembourg. This procedure includes customs formalities for the payment of customs duties and the VAT if it’s a new car.

To customs clear the vehicle, you must bring it to one of the customs offices of the Customs and Excise Agency in person to obtain a 705 sticker. This sticker is a document proving that the vehicle is in order regarding VAT and is required for registration.

How to pay the stamp duty to register a car in Luxembourg?

To register your car, you will need to pay the stamp duty. We mentioned before, that you will need to pay for your license plates later when you reserve them. The moment had come. To pay the stamp duty you have two options, paying in-person, and with a wire transfer:

How to register a car with SNCA in Luxembourg?

After the technical Inspection, you should already have all the necessary documents, now it’s time to take them all and go to the SNCA to register your vehicle. However, before you visit the authority, you must ask for an appointment, which you can do on their website. They will send you an email with an application form (registration certificate application form), a memo, and the date of the appointment.

You must complete that form and bring it along with the full package of documents for car registration on the day of the appointment.

Within 8-10 days, you will receive an answer about whether the registration is approved or not, if it is approved, you must go to SNCA and pay the registration fee. You will then be given the documents and you need to check that all the paperwork is accurate. If everything is in order, the SNCA will issue your registration certificate and a provisional tax sticker valid for 30 days.

All vehicles registered in Luxembourg, are subject to the road vehicle tax that needs to be paid to the Customs and Excise Agency every year. With the provisional tax sticker, you have 30 days to pay that tax, you will be notified of the amount to be paid and once the payment has been made, you will receive the permanent road tax receipt by post.

How much does it cost to register a car in Luxembourg?

The cost depends on the prices of the specific companies and other services you might need, but on average the registration of a car in Luxembourg will cost you about 1000 euros of fees and service payments, not including the VAT. 

We calculate the price based on these numbers

License plates

50 or 100 euros for personalized, plus 35 euros for production

Customs broker

250 to 500 euros depending on the professional

Certificate of compliance

If there is no EU certificate, 250-500 euros to pay

Fees for registration

Apx. 210 euros SNCA fees, 70 euros for tech inspection