Difference between EU and non-EU
To start off, it’s important to note that there is a difference between obtaining a Belgian license plate for vehicles coming from EU countries and from non-EU countries. Either way, it’s important to be sure that the vehicle is registered in the country you will ‘export’ it from. When this is the case, you can start the process of registering your vehicle with a Belgian license plate. The process for non-EU and EU-cars is described separately below.
Process for EU-cars
Step 1: Visit a customs office
A E705 is an electronic signal enabling the Vehicle Registration Directorate to check that the vehicle is on Belgian territory on a regular basis when applying for a registration plate. Make sure to bring the following documents with you:
- state registration number
- registration certificate of your vehicle
- Belgian residence permit or proof of registration in a municipality
As soon as you have paid the VAT, Customs will draw up an E705. You will receive a report as proof. Your vehicle is now fiscally compliant!
Step 2: Visit an inspection center
Once you have the E705 report, it is time to get your vehicle inspected. Does your vehicle still have an inspection certificate from another EU member state, which is valid according to the periodicity in the Flemish Region? Good news: you do not have to take your vehicle to the inspection. The next inspection must be done before the validity date of the foreign inspection certificate is expired.
Does your vehicle not have a valid inspection certificate from another EU member state? Then you must take your vehicle to the technical inspection. You have 30 days after vehicle registration to have your vehicle inspected.
During the technical inspection at an authorized inspection center, your vehicle will be checked to make sure it has no defects. This is done to guarantee road safety and for the environment.
Step 3: Get your vehicle insured
The next important step is to get your vehicle insured. Take the pink registration form to an insurance company. If you wish, they can arrange for you to register with the Vehicle Registration Department (Dienst voor Inschrijving van Voertuigen in Dutch) online. Then you won't have to stop by this department yourself!
Step 4: Pay your taxes once you start driving
From the moment you use a vehicle in Belgium, you must pay the tax on ‘entry into service’ (‘belasting op inverkeerstelling’ in Dutch). The Flemish Tax Administration calculates this tax according to:
- environmental characteristics, including the Euro standard age of the vehicle
Process for non-EU cars
In case your vehicle comes from a country outside of the EU, the process is unfortunately slightly more complicated. Make sure you read the steps below carefully.
Step 1: Customs
First of all, not all vehicles are eligible for registration in Belgium. Therefore, you will do well by carrying out some research before driving to the Belgian border. If you are not too familiar with customs and want to be sure, it is definitely recommended to consult a customs representative. A list of official custom representatives can be found here. Unfortunately the page is only in Dutch, French or German but the representatives should be able to communicate in English. Once all the custom formalities are settled and the custom clearance has been received, it is time to visit a customs office.
Step 2: Obtain a ‘vignet E705’
An E705 is an electronic signal enabling the Vehicle Registration Directorate to check that the vehicle is on Belgian territory on a regular basis when applying for a registration plate. When visiting the customs office, make sure to take the proof of purchase or a document that states the car is inherited or a gift with you as well as the original registration certificate.
After showing these documents, the customs office will grant you a pink paper. This is the request for registration of the vehicle. You will also be asked to pay the following costs:
- Import duty: on the purchase value of the vehicle, plus all costs up to the destination - transport, insurance, shipping, etc.
- VAT: on the total sum of the purchase value, import duties and all costs up to the destination.
After this has been paid the custom officer will prepare a E705 and you will receive a report which serves as proof. Your vehicle is now fiscally compliant!
Step 3: Get your vehicle technically inspected
Any vehicle imported from abroad and intended for use on public roads must be approved. It must be determined that the vehicle meets all European technical and administrative requirements, such as:
- safety: brakes, safety belts and tires, among others, must meet the technical requirements.
- environment: the vehicle must meet the requirements for noise and emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants.
- internal market: the vehicle is based on clear, harmonized requirements and rules for everyone within the EU.
As proof, you will receive an individual approval certificate (more on this certificate can be found here in Dutch). In order to get this certificate, make an appointment with a vehicle inspection center.
You must obtain a certificate from the official manufacturer or from the mandatary of your vehicle with all the partial approvals that apply to your vehicle. These are the partial approvals obtained by the manufacturer after carrying out braking, power and emission tests, among other things.
Are there any partial approvals missing? Then these tests must be repeated. In this way the foreign standard can be converted to the European standard. Some tests take place at the technical service or the inspection center itself. Other tests, such as the emissions test, must be done at a specialized lab or at the manufacturer. You can find such a specialized lab across the border, in Germany. For this, the technical service or the inspection center must make an appointment. Please bear in mind that the costs for these tests can be high.
So what if you do not have the emissions test redone according to the European standards? In that case, the individual approval for your vehicle is delivered with the message “European emission standard not applicable”. In that case, you will unfortunately pay a much higher tax on entry.
Step 4: Get your vehicle insured
Any vehicle imported from abroad and intended for use on public roads must be approved. It must be determined that the vehicle meets all European technical and administrative requirements, such as:
- safety: brakes, safety belts and tires, among others, must meet the technical requirements.
- environment: the vehicle must meet the requirements for noise and emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants.
- internal market: the vehicle is based on clear, harmonized requirements and rules for everyone within the EU.
As proof, you will receive an individual approval certificate (more on this certificate can be found here in Dutch). In order to get this certificate, make an appointment with a vehicle inspection center.
You must obtain a certificate from the official manufacturer or from the mandatary of your vehicle with all the partial approvals that apply to your vehicle. These are the partial approvals obtained by the manufacturer after carrying out braking, power and emission tests, among other things.
Are there any partial approvals missing? Then these tests must be repeated. In this way the foreign standard can be converted to the European standard. Some tests take place at the technical service or the inspection center itself. Other tests, such as the emissions test, must be done at a specialized lab or at the manufacturer. You can find such a specialized lab across the border, in Germany. For this, the technical service or the inspection center must make an appointment. Please bear in mind that the costs for these tests can be high.
So what if you do not have the emissions test redone according to the European standards? In that case, the individual approval for your vehicle is delivered with the message “European emission standard not applicable”. In that case, you will unfortunately pay a much higher tax on entry.
Step 5: Pay your taxes once you start driving
From the moment you use a vehicle in Belgium, you must pay the tax on “entry into service” (‘belasting op inverkeerstelling’ in Dutch). The Flemish Tax Administration calculates this tax according to:
- environmental characteristics, including the Euro standard age of the vehicle
With the calculation tool (which can be found here) you can calculate how much traffic tax you will have to pay approximately.
Have you completed all the steps?
Well done! We understand it’s quite the process to get your vehicle registered in Belgium, especially if you are coming from outside the EU-zone. Now it’s time for happy (and safe) driving!