Importing an American Car to Europe: A Country-by-Country Guide (2026)

Each country has its own tax system and approval process. Choose your destination to see indicative costs for 2026.

Choose your country.

• Portugal. The complete guide, featuring our stand in Aveiro.
• Germany. No registration tax; TÜV §21 and H-Kennzeichen inspection at age 30.
• France. Malus at €0 for classics; collection grey carte with FFVE certificate.
• Belgium. BIV/TMC regional, reduced to 30 years; vignette E705.
• Netherlands. BPM at €0 from age 25; individual RDW approval.
• Spain. IEDMT by CO2; individual approval and historical record.
• Italy. Provincial property tax; tax waived at 30 years of age with historical certificate.
• Poland. Akcyza of 3.1 % or 18.6 % depending on the engine capacity; yellow plates.
• Austria. Normverbrauchsabgabe (NoVA) on first enrollment; exemption possible for transcripts.
• Switzerland. No customs duties; car tax of 4 % and VAT of 8.1 %.
• Luxembourg. No registration fee; historical status granted by SNCA.
• Ireland. Fixed VRT of €200 starting at age 30.
• Sweden. No registration fee; exempt from annual tax at age 30.
• Denmark. High registering allowance; cap for veterans over 35 years old.
• Norway. Engangsavgift exempt from age 20 and over; VAT of 25 %.

What is the same in all countries

Customs duties. From July 1, 2026, cars manufactured in the USA, with proven origin, enter the EU with 0 % duty (Regulation (EU) 2026/1455). Classic cars 30 years old or more, in original condition, enter as collector's items (code 9705), also with 0 % duty. Within the EU, duties are never paid twice.

VAT. A reseller with a valid VAT number buys without Portuguese VAT and self-assesses the VAT in their own country. A private individual pays the VAT on the invoice or the margin scheme.

Approval. An American car doesn't have a European Certificate of Conformity: each country has its own individual approval process, which is simpler for classic cars that are 30 years old or more.

Talk to us

Whether you are a reseller or a private individual, please tell us the country, model, and budget. WhatsApp +351 928 373 916 · Program for resellers · Cars available

To compare companies that import American cars, see our ranking with verifiable criteria.

Best importers of American cars in Portugal

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Public prices, without Portuguese registration.

1972 Chevrolet C10 Short Bed — LS 6.0 engine, 22/24-inch wheels61 500 €1966 Ford Mustang Convertible — California car, automatic convertible top.49 000 €1969 Plymouth Road Runner — Drag car, new 440 engine64 500 €1982 Chevrolet Corvette — 24,251 original miles, Cross-Fire Injection34 000 €1966 Ford Mustang — Red, V8, Carfax report37 500 €1968 Chevrolet K10 4x4 — Restored show truck, 46,000 original miles.64 500 €

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