Registering your car in Luxembourg: what is the procedure to follow?

When do you need to register a car in Luxembourg?

The obligation to register a vehicle in the Grand Duchy mainly applies in two cases. The first concerns the purchase of a car (new or used) directly in Luxembourg or imported from abroad. The second case, which is very common, concerns new arrivals: if you transfer your main residence to Luxembourg, you have a legal period of 6 months to regularise your situation. Remember that it is strictly prohibited for a Luxembourg resident to drive long-term with foreign registration plates, under penalty of a fine.
 

Request a new registration number

Your residence is now established in Luxembourg. The formalities related to your move are over, you now have a period of 6 months to register your imported vehicle in your new country. The yellow plates are waiting for you!

To do this, you must first ask for a registration number. This is to be done online on MyGuichet.

"Since I did not have any special requirements, I chose a number from the current series, that is, the first available number, consisting of 2 letters and 4 digits", says Alberto, a former cross border worker in the banking sector, who has been living in the capital since the beginning of the year.

If you prefer, the Grand Duchy also offers you the possibility to choose a personalised registration number.

Tempted by a personalised registration number?

In Luxembourg, personalised registration is very popular.

Unlike the current series numbers that are attached to the vehicles, it remains reserved for the holder. The personalised plate brings an extra touch to your car that makes it unique to you.

"It's also a lot easier to memorise it and to find your car in a car park", explains Francine who chose to use her initials and her year of birth.

“Initially, I wanted a 4-digit number but they were all allocated." It's true you have to be on a waiting list for several years to obtain the coveted number.

Today, there are 5-digit numbers as well as 2-letter and 4-digit combinations, provided that the plate is not yet allocated of course.

You can check the availability of your desired registration number on MyGuichet.

The operation will cost you an additional timbre fiscal (tax stamp) of €50 for first use of the number, €24 in case of reuse by the same holder.

Register your car

The Luxembourg Ministry of Transport has entrusted the National Road Traffic Company (SNCA, Société nationale de circulation automobile) the task of organising the registration. Have you submitted your request on MyGuichet and have you received your new registration number? you can now download the application form for obtaining a registration certificate.

"Don't forget to insure your car with an insurance company approved in Luxembourg and have it cleared at the customs centre”, Alberto reminds us.

Documents required to register a car in Luxembourg

• A valid proof of identity.
• A valid motor insurance certificate (green card) issued by an insurer approved in Luxembourg.
• The previous registration certificate (parts I and II) if it is a used vehicle.
• The vehicle purchase invoice or original sales contract.
• The European Certificate of Conformity (COC) certifying the vehicle’s technical standards.
• The customs document (705 vignette) if the vehicle  is imported from abroad.

How much does it cost to register a car in Luxembourg?

Registering your vehicle involves some regulated administrative costs. To obtain your registration number and vehicle registration certificate, you must purchase a tax stamp (chancery fee) worth €50 from the SNCA. Added to this is the cost of physically producing your registration plates by an approved professional, which generally amounts to around €24. If you choose to reserve a personalised number (registration number on request), an additional fee of €50 for a first allocation or €24 in the event of reallocation is required.
 

The registration service

Some insurance policies such as OptiDrive by AXA offer a registration service with preferential rates.

This saves you time by sparing you the administrative steps whether this is your first registration or not.

You benefit from a preferential rate from a service provider who picks up your vehicle, carries out the procedures and returns it to you registered under the Luxembourg scheme.