What documents you need when importing a car from the EU

When importing a car from the EU, paperwork matters as much as the purchase itself. Without the right documents, the vehicle will not leave the country of origin, you will not be able to insure it, and most of all, you will not register it at the Slovak traffic authority. This guide summarizes all key documents, their local names, and tips on how to prepare a folder for the carrier's driver.

The purchase agreement: the foundation of the whole process

The purchase agreement is the starting document. Without it you cannot prove ownership or register the car. It must contain identification of the seller and buyer, an exact description of the vehicle including the VIN, the date of sale, the purchase price, the place, and signatures from both parties.

When buying from a dealer you receive an official purchase agreement or invoice. When buying from a private individual, you draft the purchase agreement on the spot. In both cases, insist on the original of the agreement in two copies. Consult your tax advisor about the tax aspects of registering the vehicle.

COC certificate: the vehicle's passport for the entire EU

The Certificate of Conformity, COC for short, is a document of conformity with European type approval. It is issued by the manufacturer and contains all homologation data. Without a COC, you will not get through individual import approval in Slovakia.

You usually receive the COC from the seller at purchase. If they do not have it, ask the official brand importer in your country, or the manufacturer directly. Issuance can take two to six weeks and has its own cost; factor it into your timeline. Without a COC, the alternative is individual type approval via TÜV or a Slovak accredited body, which is more expensive and slower.

Registration documents by country

Each EU country has its own format for the registration document. Here are the most common countries of origin and document names.

Germany

The large registration document is called Fahrzeugbrief or Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II. The small one is Fahrzeugschein or Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I. When exporting the vehicle, the authority stamps the export on the small document and issues export plates Ausfuhrkennzeichen.

Italy

The Carta di Circolazione is the registration document; the Certificato di Proprietà proves ownership. Since 2020, both documents have been merged into the Documento Unico. For export abroad, Cancellazione per Esportazione is required, that is, deregistration for export. More about this destination in the car transport from Italy section.

France

The Certificat d'Immatriculation, popularly Carte grise, is the gray card with technical data. When selling abroad, the seller fills in the Certificat de Cession and crosses the card with the note "Vendu le" and the date.

Netherlands and Belgium

In the Netherlands, the registration register uses the Kentekenbewijs (deel 1A, 1B, and 2). In Belgium, the Certificat d'Immatriculation or Inschrijvingsbewijs. For export, the cards are surrendered at the DIV or RDW office.

Austria

Zulassungsschein with the type certificate Typenschein. For export, the plates are surrendered and an Abmeldebescheinigung is issued.

Spain

Permiso de circulación and Ficha Técnica. Export requires Baja Definitiva por Exportación at the DGT office.

Export papers and insurance during transport

For transport within the EU, you do not need customs forms; it is the internal market. The driver, however, must carry the vehicle's documents in case of a road check. The standard documents are the purchase agreement, a copy of the registration document, and the driver's ID.

During transport, the vehicle is covered by the carrier's CMR insurance. For higher values, we recommend supplementary insurance that covers the full market value of the vehicle. We will prepare the specific scope and terms within the quote.

Preparing the folder for the driver

A practical tip at the end. Before pickup, prepare a digital folder and a physical envelope. Send the carrier digitally a scan of the purchase agreement, a copy of the registration document, the COC, and contact details for the seller. Physically place inside the car the original purchase agreement, the original registration document of the country of origin, and a copy of the COC. The driver hands over the documents at delivery together with the signed CMR consignment note.

If you have a specific case or are missing a document, request a quote and we will go through your case individually.

Frequently asked questions

Is a copy of the purchase agreement enough, or does it have to be the original?

For registration in Slovakia you need the original. A copy is enough for the carrier's driver if the original is traveling with you or you already have the papers in hand.

What to do if the seller refuses to issue a COC?

This most often concerns older fleets or auction vehicles. In that case, contact the brand importer or request the COC directly from the manufacturer. The alternative is individual type approval via an accredited technical service.

Do I need a translator for the documents?

For registration in Slovakia, the authority usually accepts documents in English, German, and Czech without translation. For more exotic languages (Italian, French, Spanish), we recommend an officially certified translation of the purchase agreement and registration document.

Does the vehicle have to be deregistered in the country of origin before transport?

Not necessarily, if it has a valid registration plate or export plates. In some countries (Italy, Spain), deregistration for export is mandatory before physically leaving the country.

How are documents transported by truck?

You place originals in the locked vehicle in a sealed envelope, or we send them separately by mail. The driver never accepts originals without a signed handover protocol.

What's next

Safe transport starts with the right documents. Send us a photo of the purchase agreement, the registration document, and the VIN; we will go through everything else together.

Start by requesting a quote. For specific destinations see car transport from Germany or car transport from Italy.