Registering a UK Car in Poland: Step-by-Step Guide

Bringing a car over from the UK, or already own one there and want to register it in Poland? The process isn't complicated, but it does involve several steps: customs clearance, paying excise duty and VAT, a roadworthiness test, and lodging the paperwork with the local vehicle registration office (wydział komunikacji — the district or city office handling vehicle and driving-licence matters). Since Brexit, Poland treats the UK as a third country, meaning the import procedure is broadly the same as bringing in a vehicle from outside the EU. It pays to know the steps in advance so nothing catches you out at the border or the registration counter.

Legal notice: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The legal position is current as of June 2026. Regulations, fees, deadlines and requirements can change — always check the latest information on gov.pl, podatki.gov.pl (the Polish tax portal) and with your local wydział komunikacji. Twoja Sprawa is an information platform, not a law firm.

The UK after Brexit: importing as a third country

The United Kingdom left the European Union on 1 January 2021. That changes the vehicle-import process directly. Instead of an intra-EU transaction (the old rules), you're now dealing with an import from a third country, which triggers mandatory customs clearance, customs duty, VAT and excise duty.

In practice, the vehicle cannot cross into the EU without: 1. Customs clearance — declaring the vehicle to customs at the border crossing, or via an online procedure 2. Paying customs duty — indicatively around 10% of the customs value ** 3. VAT — 23%, calculated on the customs value plus duty 4. Excise duty (akcyza, a Polish vehicle excise tax) — 3.1% for engines ≤2,000cc or 18.6% for engines over 2,000cc **

Compared with the pre-Brexit process — when registering in Poland didn't require customs clearance at all — the current procedure takes noticeably longer.

Documents you'll need to register a UK vehicle

Before you can submit a registration application at the wydział komunikacji, you need to gather a set of documents. Indicative list:

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Regarding the V5C / foreign registration document: if the V5C is still in the previous owner's name and you bought the car from them, you'll need a bill of sale or sales contract as well.

Sworn translations: what's required

Documents from the UK (V5C, proof of ownership, sales contract) must be translated into Polish. The translation has to be produced by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły) and bear their official stamp and signature.

Cost of translation: roughly 30–60 PLN per page (depending on the translator and the complexity of the text). You can find sworn translators via the courts' information portal or through your regional court (sąd okręgowy).

Note: the translation does not need to be notarised — a sworn translator's stamp is sufficient.

Roadworthiness test for a UK car

Every vehicle imported from abroad (including from the UK) must pass a roadworthiness test (badanie techniczne — historically also called a homologation inspection or a fitness-for-use certificate) at an authorised inspection station in Poland. This is a strict precondition for registration.

What the test covers: - General technical condition of the vehicle - Verification against the paperwork (VIN, engine number) - Emissions check - Lights, brakes, suspension and safety equipment

Right-hand-drive vehicles (the UK standard): Poland does not ban the registration of right-hand-drive cars — but the inspection station must approve the vehicle during the roadworthiness test, and it must meet Polish safety standards. **

Cost of the inspection: roughly 200–400 PLN (depending on the station and the complexity of the vehicle).

Registration fees and number plates

Once you've met all the requirements — customs clearance, excise duty, VAT, roadworthiness test, translations, insurance — you can submit your registration application at the wydział komunikacji covering your place of residence (run by the local county or city authority).

Indicative fees: - Vehicle registration fee ** - Number plate fee ** - Records fee **

Total, indicatively: 200–350 PLN (official fees only — excluding translation costs, the inspection, and excise duty/VAT/customs duty).

Deadlines: an imported vehicle must be registered in Poland within a set period from the date of import (under the Road Traffic Act, Prawo o ruchu drogowym). **

Step-by-step timeline

  1. Preparing documents in the UK (1–2 weeks) - Get the original V5C (Registration Certificate) from the seller - Confirm the vehicle is free of any finance/lien (check with the DVLA or the finance company) - Sales contract or bill of sale

  2. Transport to Poland (1–7 days) - Transport the vehicle by trailer or drive it yourself

  3. Customs clearance (1–3 days) - Declare the vehicle to the customs office at the border, or via the online procedure - Pay customs duty, VAT and excise duty - Obtain the documents confirming payment

  4. Roadworthiness test (1–5 days) - Book a slot at an inspection station - Vehicle inspection

  5. Sworn translations (3–7 days) - Translation of the V5C and other documents

  6. Third-party liability insurance (OC) (1 day) - Take out an OC policy

  7. Registration at the wydział komunikacji (1–5 days) - Submit the application with the full document pack - Pay the fees - Receive the number plates and registration certificate

Total time: roughly 2–4 weeks from the decision to import to holding a registered vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a UK car in Poland without going through customs? No. Since Brexit, the UK is a third country — every import is subject to customs clearance, duty, VAT and excise duty. Without completing customs clearance, the vehicle cannot be legally registered in Poland.

What if the vehicle is more than 10 years old? Older vehicles are imported and registered in Poland on the same terms. The additional requirement is that they may need a more thorough roadworthiness test.

Does the V5C need to be translated? Yes — the V5C and other UK documents must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator. **

Can I register a right-hand-drive vehicle? Poland does not ban the registration of right-hand-drive cars — but the vehicle must pass the roadworthiness test and be approved by the inspection station. **

How long can I drive the car on UK plates before registering it in Poland? After Brexit, a vehicle still on UK plates can only be used temporarily in Poland if you hold the paperwork required for international transit (a green card of insurance, a vignette, etc.). Registration in Poland must follow quickly — indicatively within 30 days of import. **

Are excise duty and VAT calculated on the price I paid or on the gross value of the car? Excise duty and VAT are calculated on the customs value of the vehicle, as assessed by the customs office — this can differ from the price you actually paid. **

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Last verified: June 2026.

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