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How do you import a car to Denmark and register it?

Five steps from foreign car to Danish plates.

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Short answer

If you live in Denmark and drive the car in on foreign plates, fill in Motorstyrelsen's form before you cross the border and keep the receipt in the car; you then have 30 days to get it registered. Next the car needs an extended registration inspection at an inspection station, and the inspection may be no more than 4 weeks old when you ask for a valuation. You request the valuation in TastSelv with MitID, pay the registration tax and wait for the receipt, which can take up to 7 days. With the receipt, photo ID, insurance details and the registration certificate you buy plates from a number plate operator (nummerpladeoperatør).

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Why

  1. The main owner or user must have a Danish address.
  2. You can only buy plates after the tax is paid.
  3. Cars from outside the EU and EEA need permission from Motorstyrelsen first.

Details

For a car from the USA you apply with form 21,115 and attach a copy or photo of the Certificate of Title, not the original.

Tip

Bring both parts of an EU registration certificate to the inspection and to the plate operator, as most certificates come in Part 1 and Part 2.

What may differ

Processing times at Motorstyrelsen vary, and a valuation request by post takes longer than one in TastSelv.

Common misconception

Many think Motorstyrelsen deregisters the car in the country it came from.

What actually happens

Motorstyrelsen does not deregister the car abroad; you hand in the foreign plates when you register it in Denmark.

People also ask

  • How much is the registration tax on an imported car?
  • Do you pay Danish VAT on a car bought in Germany?
  • Can you drive on foreign plates while the car is being registered?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Traffic rules, fines and fees can change, so check the Danish authorities before you drive.

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