Car Registration Costs In Austria: What To Expect

If you're planning to buy a car in Austria, it's good to know that the process is similar to other countries. You can buy a car in Austria at the age of 18, but you must have a valid driver's license and proof of residency. When buying a car, many locals prefer German-produced Volkswagens, but some also opt for Skoda models. Dealerships are a popular choice as they offer payment plans, better deals, and can take care of the registration process for you. The cost of registering a car in Austria is around €188, and you will need to bring the necessary documents to a registration office.

How much it costs to register a car in Austria

Required documents

To register a car in Austria, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A valid driver's license.
• Proof of residency in Austria, such as a local ID and address.
• The sale invoice.
• Registration certificates.
• A European Certificate of Conformity.
• A vehicle approval document, which consists of Part II of the registration certificate and proof of approval.
• A tax confirmation, which you will receive from the Austrian tax authorities after paying any additional taxes.
• If you are importing a car to Austria, you will need to make an appointment with your car brand's Austrian main importer, who will pre-register the car.

The registration office will charge around €188 for registering your car, and you will receive your licence plates and a safety check sticker, which must be attached to the car's windshield.

It is also important to note that your vehicle must already be registered in the Austrian approval database (Genehmigungsdatenbank), otherwise, a self-import procedure must be carried out beforehand. Additionally, your vehicle must be covered by third-party liability insurance that is valid in Austria and purchased from an insurance company entitled to provide such services in the country.

Since 2000, vehicle registration has been carried out by car insurance companies on behalf of the Austrian government. The standard format for registration plates is three digits and two letters in each district or four digits and two letters in state capitals.

Cost of registration

The cost of registering a car in Austria depends on several factors, including the type of vehicle, the method of registration, and whether you are importing the vehicle. Here is a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in registering a car in Austria:

Standard Registration Costs

When registering a car in Austria, you can expect to incur various costs. The registration office will typically charge around €188 for processing the registration. This fee covers the issuance of licence plates and a safety check sticker, which must be displayed on the vehicle's windshield. Additionally, you will need to obtain mandatory third-party liability insurance that is valid in Austria. The cost of this insurance can vary depending on the insurance company and the specific coverage chosen.

Online Pre-Registration

Alternatively, you can opt for online pre-registration through the service "prior notification for vehicle registration" with ID Austria or EU-Login. This electronic pre-registration process allows you to initiate the registration procedure before submitting all the required documentation. While this online service may expedite the process, there may still be additional costs associated with completing the registration at a later stage.

Importing a Vehicle

Importing a vehicle into Austria can incur additional costs. Firstly, you will need to ensure that your vehicle complies with Austrian standards and obtain a roadworthy certificate, which can be expensive. Additionally, you will need to pay import tax, which varies depending on the vehicle's value and other factors. The main importer will handle the pre-registration process, after which you must contact the Austrian tax authorities to settle any applicable taxes. A tax confirmation will be provided, which is required during the registration process.

Customised Registration Plates

If you wish to obtain customised registration plates for your vehicle, there is an additional cost. Customised plates in Austria cost €228.30 for registration, and there is a separate charge of €21.00 for the physical plates themselves. This option allows you to choose a unique alphanumeric combination to personalise your vehicle's licence plates.

Electric Vehicle Plates

Since 2017, Austria has introduced special plates for electric vehicles. These plates are exempt from parking charges in several major cities, including Vienna, Innsbruck, and Graz. The cost of obtaining electric vehicle plates is not specified, but it likely involves similar fees to standard registration, with an additional fee for the specialised plate type.

Temporary Plates

For vehicles that are being exported or temporarily admitted into Austria, there are specific types of temporary plates available. Export transit plates are valid for 3 to 21 days and cost €197.30. Temporary admission plates are also available and are identified by the prefixes G for Bosnia and Herzegovina, U for Hungary, and Z for all other countries. The cost of temporary admission plates is not explicitly mentioned but may differ from standard registration fees.

Registration certificate

To register a car in Austria, you must have proof of residency in the country. This can be demonstrated with a local ID and address. The vehicle must also be covered by third-party liability insurance that is valid in Austria and purchased from an insurance company that is entitled to provide third-party liability insurance services in the country.

Upon registration of a vehicle, the registration office issues a registration certificate. This is also available as a chip card, which costs €29.50. The registration certificate is made up of two parts. Part I of the registration certificate must be carried when driving the vehicle and serves as proof that the vehicle is legally registered in Austria. It displays the registration number and relevant information regarding the vehicle's current registration status. This part also verifies that the vehicle has met the requirements and has been officially approved for use on Austrian roads. Part II of the registration certificate remains a paper document and is joined with the proof of approval. The applicant also receives a vehicle approval document, which consists of Part II of the registration certificate and the proof of approval provided. If the vehicle is re-registered, this vehicle approval document must be provided.

The Zulassungsbescheinigung (Austrian vehicle registration certificate) is divided into two parts. Part 1 of the Zulassungsbescheinigung must be carried when driving the vehicle and serves as proof that the vehicle is legally registered in Austria. It displays the registration number and relevant information regarding the vehicle's current registration status. This document verifies that the vehicle has met the requirements and has been officially approved for use on Austrian roads. It also covers the vehicle's ownership history, including information about the current owner and any previous owners. Part 1 of the Zulassungsbescheinigung provides comprehensive details about the technical specifications of the vehicle, including the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, year of production, engine capacity, power output, and emission standards. Part 2 of the Zulassungsbescheinigung is made up of 105 x 223mm blue and yellow paper. It contains the same information about the vehicle as Part 1, including the date of issue for the documents, the date of first registration, the VRN, the VIN, the vehicle's engine number, etc.

Licence plates

The alphanumeric format for registration plates is "XX ∇=provincial emblem number+letter(s)" or "XX ∇=provincial emblem personalised letters+number". The first one or two letters indicate the local registration office or the district where the registered possessor resides. State capitals have one letter, while other districts have two. The coat of arms of the Austrian state the district belongs to is represented by a symbol, with diplomatic vehicles featuring a dash instead, and federal official vehicles displaying the Austrian Federal Eagle. The sequence that follows must contain at least three characters, including at least one digit and one letter, with the letter/number sequence beginning with a letter and ending with a number. In countryside districts, the maximum number of characters is five.

Dealer plates have white letters on a green background, while temporary plates show white letters on a cyan background. Foreign trailers, on the other hand, display white letters on a red background. Electric plates, introduced in 2017, are given only to electric vehicles and are exempt from parking charges in several Austrian cities. Export transit plates are issued to vehicles being exported and are valid for 3 to 21 days, costing €197.30 for motor vehicles.

Customised registration plates can also be obtained in Austria for a fee. It costs €228.30 for registration and €21.00 for the plates themselves. An example of a customised plate is "XX ∇ ABC 1".

Importing a car

Step 1: Documents and Requirements

Firstly, ensure you have the necessary documents and meet the requirements. You will need to provide proof of residency in Austria, such as a local ID and address. Additionally, specific documents related to the vehicle are required. These include the sale invoice, registration certificates, and a European Certificate of Conformity. If you are importing from a non-EU country like the US or UK, it is crucial to contact the Landesprüfstelle in your federal state to ensure your vehicle meets EU criteria. Otherwise, adaptations or special allowances may be needed.

Step 2: Vehicle Registration

Your vehicle must be registered in the Austrian approval database (Genehmigungsdatenbank). This can be done electronically through the online service "prior notification for vehicle registration" with ID Austria or EU-Login. Alternatively, you can authorise a representative to handle the registration process on your behalf. Once registered, the vehicle will be issued a registration certificate and a vehicle approval document.

Step 3: Insurance and NOVA Tax

To register your vehicle with an insurance company, it must be covered by third-party liability insurance valid in Austria. The insurance must be purchased from a company authorised to provide such services in the country. Additionally, you will need to pay the standardised consumption tax, known as NoVA (Normverbrauchsabgabe). This is a one-off tax payable upon the delivery or first registration of the vehicle. The amount is calculated based on factors like the average fuel usage of the car.

Step 4: Finalising Registration

After completing the previous steps and paying the necessary fees, you will receive your number plates and inspection sticker from the registration office. You can choose to receive a standard paper registration certificate or opt for a chip card version (Scheckkartenzulassungsschein). The chip card will be sent by standard post within two weeks, and a temporary paper registration certificate will be provided initially.

Frequently asked questions