Quick answer
A used car that is already registered in another EU country can come to Cyprus without customs duty, as long as you can prove it is in free circulation in the EU, usually with its registration document and plates. VAT is due in Cyprus only if the car counts as new (six months or less since first registration, or 6,000 km or less). You declare the car to Customs on arrival, then pass a roadworthiness inspection, insure it locally and register it with the Road Transport Department, bringing the shipping and customs papers, the invoice, a CO2 certificate and certified translations of any documents not in English or Greek. Left-hand-drive cars can be registered but must meet extra requirements.
- No customs duty on a car in free circulation in the EU; the previous registration document and plates are the usual proof.
- Cyprus VAT (19%) applies only to new cars: six months or less since first registration, or 6,000 km or less.
- Left-hand-drive cars can be registered, but must meet additional requirements; check before shipping.
- Documents in other languages need translations from the Press and Information Office.
- An EU Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is accepted as technical proof unless the car was modified.
Inside the EU, moving your car is much simpler than bringing one from the UK or further away: there's no customs duty and, for a used car, no VAT. You still need to declare it, have it inspected and put it on Cypriot plates. Here is the whole process.
Coming from the UK? The rules are different; see bringing your car to Cyprus from the UK. For the Road Transport Department side, with every document explained, read registering an imported car in Cyprus.
What you pay
| Your car | Customs duty | VAT in Cyprus |
|---|---|---|
| Used car registered in another EU country | None | None |
| New car (6 months or less since first registration, or 6,000 km or less) | None | 19% |
| Car you can't prove is in EU free circulation | Treated as a non-EU import | 19% |
There's no excise duty on cars in Cyprus. You will pay the registration fee (about €150), the roadworthiness test (about €40) and yearly road tax, which depends on CO2 emissions.
Before you ship: four checks
- Left- or right-hand drive? Cyprus drives on the left. Left-hand-drive cars can be registered but must meet extra requirements (headlights adjusted for driving on the left, for example). Ask the Road Transport Department or a registration agent before shipping.
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC): if you have the EU CoC, Cyprus can't ask for more technical papers unless the car was modified. Ask the manufacturer for a copy if it's missing.
- CO2 figure: it's on the registration certificate or CoC and sets your road tax.
- Age and condition: older, high-emission cars cost more in road tax. Confirm with the RTD that your car can be registered before you pay for shipping.
Step by step
1. Gather your documents
- Registration certificate (both parts, if your country splits it) and the plates, as proof the car is in EU circulation.
- Purchase invoice or proof of ownership.
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC), if you have it.
- Your passport or ID and proof of address in Cyprus.
- Translations of any documents not in English or Greek, made through the Press and Information Office (PIO).
2. Deregister the car at home (if your country requires it)
Some countries ask you to deregister a car permanently leaving, or issue export plates. Check with your home registration office. Keep the original documents: Cyprus needs them.
3. Get the car to Cyprus
Cyprus is an island, so the car travels by roll-on/roll-off ship or container, usually to Limassol. Many cars from continental Europe are shipped from Greek or Italian ports; transit is typically one to three weeks. Use a shipper that works with a Cyprus clearing agent, and keep the bill of lading.
4. Declare the car to Customs
Even without duty, the car is declared to Cyprus Customs on arrival. Customs checks the proof of EU status (registration document and plates) and, for a new car, makes sure VAT is paid. You or your agent receive the customs documents you need for registration.
5. Inspection, insurance and registration
- Roadworthiness inspection at an approved test centre (computerised, usually under an hour). Bring the shipping and customs documents, the invoice and the CO2 certificate.
- Cyprus motor insurance, in force before the plates are issued.
- Registration at the Road Transport Department's vehicle examination centre, where you also pay the fees and taxes. You then get your Cypriot registration certificate and plates.
- Road tax: pay it when you register, then renew online every year.
Full details and every form are in registering an imported car.
Your driving licence
An EU or EEA licence stays valid in Cyprus; exchanging it is optional in most cases. See exchanging your driving licence.
Common mistakes
- No proof of EU status: without the registration document and plates, the car can be treated as a non-EU import.
- Untranslated documents: they will be sent back; order PIO translations early.
- Left-hand-drive surprises: check the extra requirements before you ship.
- Driving for months on foreign plates after you have moved here: residents must register the car.
What to do next
- Check your registration document, CoC and CO2 figure.
- Ask the RTD (or an agent) whether your car can be registered as it is.
- Book shipping and a customs agent.
- Read registering an imported car in Cyprus and compare car insurance.
This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Confirm the current rules with Cyprus Customs and the Road Transport Department before you ship.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay import duty on a car from another EU country?
No, as long as you can prove the car is in free circulation in the EU, for example with its previous EU registration document and plates. Without that proof, it is treated as a non-EU import.
Do I pay VAT on a used car brought from the EU?
Normally not. VAT is due in Cyprus only on new means of transport: cars six months old or less since first registration, or with 6,000 km or less on the clock.
Can I register a left-hand-drive car in Cyprus?
Yes. Cyprus drives on the left, and left-hand-drive cars have to meet some additional requirements, such as headlights adjusted for driving on the left. Ask the Road Transport Department or a registration agent before you ship.
Do my documents need to be translated?
Documents that are not in English or Greek need translations from the Press and Information Office (PIO) of the Republic of Cyprus.
How long can I drive on foreign EU plates in Cyprus?
Visitors can use their car temporarily, generally up to six months in a 12-month period. Once you live in Cyprus, the car has to be registered here.
