Practical guide: registering a car in Luxembourg in a few simple steps
Registration is required in the following cases:
- Purchasing a new or used car in Luxembourg
- Importing a car from an EU or non-EU country
- Moving to Luxembourg with a car already registered abroad
You have six months from your arrival in Luxembourg to register your foreign car with Luxembourg plates.
The first step is to obtain a registration number. You can make this reservation online via MyGuichet.lu in your personal account, or by email at nplaques@snca.lu.
You can choose between:
- A standard number from the current series (free of charge)
- A personalised number (€200 fee for first-time use, €24 to reuse a number already reserved in your name)
The wizard on MyGuichet.lu allows you to check the availability of your chosen number.
2. Take out car insurance
Third-party motor insurance is compulsory for driving in Luxembourg. You cannot drive without insurance. You will receive a valid insurance certificate, which you will need to register your car (see our full article on the guide to car insurance in Luxembourg).
3. Gather the required documents
Here’s what you’ll need to submit:
- The “Request for a Registration Certificate” form (available on the SNCA website)
- Proof of vehicle ownership: purchase invoice or sales contract
- Payment of the registration fee
- A valid insurance certificate
- A valid technical inspection certificate (for used vehicles)
- The original vehicle registration certificate (or foreign registration certificate for imported vehicles) for used cars
- A copy of a valid ID
- Proof of residence in Luxembourg (recent residence certificate)
- Customs certificate or sticker 705 (for vehicles imported to Luxembourg from the EU)
- European conformity certificate (if the vehicle was first registered after 01 February 2026)
For used cars: include the signed transfer of ownership declaration from the seller.
4. Pay the registration fee
Before submitting your application, you’ll need to pay the €50 registration fee. You can pay via:
- The Administration of Registration and Domains
- The SNCA (with an additional €3 fee)
- By bank transfer to the BCEE
- The ACL for members (free)
5. Submit your application to the SNCA
Next, submit your registration application to the SNCA. This can be done:
- In person (at Sandweiler, Esch-sur-Alzette, or Fridhaff) – make an appointment online
- By mail via registered letter
6. Receive your registration certificate and install your plates
Once you receive your vehicle registration certificate, head to an authorised manufacturer to have your plates made.
Note: The Luxembourg registration certificate consists of two parts:
- Part 1 – the grey part, which must be kept in the vehicle while driving
- Part 2 – the yellow part, which should be kept in a safe place, preferably outside the vehicle
If you buy a new car from a Luxembourg dealership, they can often handle the registration for you. You will just need to provide:
- The purchase invoice
- The Certificate of Conformity (COC), issued by the manufacturer for any vehicle being registered for the first time
- A valid insurance certificate
This makes the process quick and easy.
Registering a used vehicle (change of ownership)
For a used car purchased in Luxembourg:
- Make sure the vehicle has passed the technical inspection
- Gather the original registration certificate
- Obtain a proof of sale (contract or invoice)
- Ask the seller for the signed transfer of ownership declaration
Registering a foreign car: customs clearance and the 705 vignette
If you import a car from abroad, you must:
- Have a technical inspection in Luxembourg
- Check that the vehicle meets local regulations
- Obtain vignette 705 from the Customs and Excise Authority after customs clearance
- Provide a customs clearance certificate (if non-EU)
- Pay VAT in Luxembourg (if the car is new and from the EU)
The total cost depends on your individual circumstances.
| Cost | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | € 50 |
| Plate manufacturing | Around €40 to 50 for 2 plates |
| Technical inspection (car) | € 67,50 |
| Personalised plates (optional) | € 200 |
Whether you are a natural person or a legal entity, a vehicle’s registration in Luxembourg remains valid for as long as you are the owner. There is no need to renew the vehicle registration certificate on a regular basis.
Key things to remember:
- The registration number and certificate remain valid indefinitely.
- Vehicle insurance is compulsory prior to registration.
- Always keep Part 1 of the registration certificate in the vehicle when driving.
- If you change your address in Luxembourg, you must update your vehicle registration document within one month.
- You may give a third party written authorisation to handle the procedures for renewing the roadworthiness test or updating your registration certificate.
- The technical inspection must be renewed periodically:
- Every 4 years for new vehicles
- Every 2 years for vehicles older than 4 years
- Annually for vehicles older than 6 years
Article originally published in August 2025 and updated in August 2026.
Benefit from Drive, personalised car insurance
The National Traffic Agency processes your registration application within 1 to 2 working days after receiving a complete file. Once the serial number is assigned, you can have your plates made by an authorised manufacturer.
The first step of your registration can be done entirely online via MyGuichet.lu or by post. You can reserve your serial number and submit your registration application with the required proof of residence. Once the file is validated, only the plate manufacturing requires a visit to an authorised manufacturer in Luxembourg.
To register an imported vehicle, you’ll need the European conformity certificate, the original full registration certificate, proof of valid insurance in Luxembourg, and sticker 705 issued by the Customs Administration. You’ll also need proof of residence in Luxembourg, dated within the past 3 months.
To get a personalised number in Luxembourg, you can request it online via MyGuichet.lu or by email to nplaques@snca.lu. Three formats are available: two letters with four digits, five digits, or four digits for the most sought-after combinations. A €200 tax stamp is required for the first reservation, followed by €24 for reuse of the same number.
To obtain a duplicate of your lost registration certificate, submit your request to the National Traffic Agency, either online via MyGuichet.lu or at the SNCA offices. If you are the vehicle owner, you will receive both parts of the certificate. Only the holder can receive the grey part. Don’t forget to attach a copy of your ID when submitting your request.
Pour une voiture d'occasion, vous devez fournir le certificat de contrôle technique en cours de validité, l'ancien certificat d'immatriculation complet et une déclaration de cession signée par le vendeur. Si vous utilisez un mandataire, celui-ci pourra déposer le dossier en votre nom.
Yes, but only temporarily. With foreign number plates, the legal time limit is limited (in principle 6 months for a resident, but often checked). To bring back an imported car, it is possible to apply for transit/export number plates.
- From within the EU: provide the European certificate of conformity and proof of VAT payment (if the vehicle is new).
- From outside the EU: customs clearance certificate, mandatory Luxembourg roadworthiness test, and payment of customs duties + VAT.