Importing a car from a third country (outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland) to Slovakia – what needs to be arranged?
8 tasks in suggested order
1. While still in the country of origin, arrange deregistration or transfer of the vehicle to you under that country’s rules and take all foreign vehicle documents.
Start in the country where the vehicle is registered: complete the transfer or export deregistration under that country’s rules and take the original registration, acquisition and technical documents. You will need them for customs clearance and the subsequent Slovak approval procedure.
Before exporting the vehicle or, at the latest, before customs clearance and the Slovak approval procedure.
At the registration authority in the country of origin under that country’s rules; the exact export/deregistration procedure differs by country.
Purchase contract or invoice, foreign registration certificates Parts I and II if issued in that country, and other technical vehicle documents.
The Slovak checklist cannot replace the deregistration rules of the country of origin. Before travelling, always check that country’s official export/transfer procedure and any rules for temporary plates or insurance needed to move the vehicle.
Official source: slovensko.sk
2. Complete customs clearance and obtain proof that the vehicle was released for free circulation.
If the vehicle comes from a third country and has not yet been released for free circulation in the EU, complete the relevant customs procedure. The customs authority determines import charges for the specific case or assesses whether an exemption applies. Keep the release-for-free-circulation document because it is an important supporting document for the Slovak approval procedure for a third-country vehicle.
When the vehicle enters the EU customs territory or within the applicable customs procedure; at the latest, have usable proof of release for free circulation before the Slovak approval procedure.
The customs authority in the EU Member State where the vehicle is released for free circulation; if customs clearance is completed in Slovakia, the competent customs office/facility for the chosen procedure.
Proof of acquisition and ownership, foreign registration/technical documents, information required for the customs declaration and, if claiming an exemption, evidence showing that its conditions are met.
Do not assume zero or fixed customs duty/VAT. Customs assesses the specific import; where the conditions are met, personal property brought when moving from a third country may qualify for customs-duty and VAT exemption.
Official source: Finančná správa SR
3. Undergo a vehicle originality check.
Take the imported vehicle and its foreign documents for an originality check where this is required for your type of import. The result is used in the subsequent approval procedure, so make sure it is valid for that purpose and then complete any technical or emissions checks that are required.
Prior to the proceedings for the individual recognition or approval of an imported vehicle, if required for the specific type of import.
Originality check facility.
The vehicle, proof of identity, and foreign vehicle registration/technical documents.
An originality check is required for the individual import of a vehicle from abroad; the result must be valid for use in the subsequent proceedings.
Official source: slovensko.sk
4. Arrange the technical inspections, tests or expert documentation required for the specific approval route for a third-country vehicle.
If applicable: If the specific recognition or approval route for the third-country vehicle requires a technical/emissions inspection, a technical-service test or another technical report.
For a vehicle from a third country, first determine from its technical documents and the applicable approval route which inspections or tests are required. Where national individual approval is needed, the applicant must arrange the required tests and checks with a technical verification service at their own expense. Do not automatically book every possible inspection before the correct route is identified.
Before submitting or completing the approval procedure, if this requirement applies to the vehicle.
STK/EK inspection facilities and/or a technical verification service, depending on the specific approval procedure.
The vehicle and the relevant foreign technical documents.
A vehicle manufactured for a third-country market may not meet European technical requirements without further assessment. Determine the testing scope from the specific approval route, not merely from the vehicle’s age or country of origin.
Official source: mindop.sk
5. Apply for the applicable recognition of EU type-approval or national individual approval of the vehicle imported from a third country.
For a vehicle from a third country, use the correct approval route: individual recognition of EU type-approval is available only for a vehicle that has not yet been registered in another country and has EU type-approval; otherwise national individual approval applies. For national individual approval you must also arrange the required tests and inspections by the technical verification service at your own cost.
After obtaining the required documentation and inspection results.
Competent approval authority / okresný úrad; an electronic service is also available.
Proof of acquisition, foreign vehicle documents, proof of release for free circulation, the originality-check result, and any further technical documents, tests or reports required for the specific approval route.
A vehicle from a third country does not automatically use the same simplified route as a vehicle from an EU member or contracting state. First determine the correct approval type; the required technical evidence and tests depend on it.
Official source: Ministerstvo dopravy SR
6. Lili tip: Before taking out PZP (compulsory motor liability insurance), compare price, cover and terms from several insurers.
Lili tip – this is not a statutory requirement: before taking out PZP (compulsory motor liability insurance), you can compare several offers by price, assistance cover and other terms. The legal requirement is to have valid compulsory insurance in place in time for registration and use of the vehicle.
Before taking out the PZP required for use/registration of the vehicle.
Several current insurance offers.
Vehicle and policyholder details needed for comparable quotes.
Compare both price and conditions across several current offers. We do not recommend a specific insurer.
Official source: nbs.sk
7. Take out the compulsory liability insurance required for vehicle registration and operation.
After the vehicle has been approved, arrange valid PZP (compulsory motor liability insurance) using the vehicle and future holder’s details. You will need proof of insurance for the registration step; once the insurance is in place, proceed to registration.
Before registering the vehicle and putting it into operation.
Insurance company.
Vehicle and owner details.
PZP must be valid before vehicle registration and use; the vehicle approval decision itself does not replace insurance.
Official source: nove.slovensko.sk
8. Upon approval/recognition and fulfillment of conditions, register the vehicle and obtain Slovak documents/license plates.
Finally, take the recognition or approval decision, vehicle documents and proof of PZP (compulsory motor liability insurance) to the vehicle-registration office or use the available electronic service. After successful registration you receive the Slovak registration documents and, where applicable, number plates; this completes the Slovak registration part of the import.
After the decision on recognition or approval is issued and PZP (compulsory motor liability insurance) is arranged.
dopravný inšpektorát (Traffic Inspectorate) / relevant electronic service.
Approval/recognition decision, vehicle documents, proof of compulsory motor liability insurance (PZP), and any other documents required for the registration action.
Only the successful approval of the imported vehicle allows for its subsequent registration.
Official source: slovensko.sk
