What does it cost to import a car to Poland from Germany?

Full 2026 guide to importing a used car to Poland from Germany: exact documents, taxes and fees, step-by-step, and the traps that cost buyers thousands.

What paperwork do I need to import a car to Poland?

German registration parts (Fahrzeugbrief/Zulassungsbescheinigung I & II); Purchase invoice or contract; Sworn Polish translation of the contract (harmonised EU registration fields are usually exempt); Valid technical inspection

Importing a car to Poland from Germany

Poland imports ~850,000 used cars a year, most from Germany — because a German car is often 15–30% cheaper for the same spec. Here is exactly what it costs and the paperwork, so nothing surprises you.

Paperwork difficulty: Easy

Documents you need

German registration parts (Fahrzeugbrief/Zulassungsbescheinigung I & II)
Purchase invoice or contract
Sworn Polish translation of the contract (harmonised EU registration fields are usually exempt)
Valid technical inspection

What it costs

Akcyza (excise)

3.1% of value for engines ≤2.0 L, 18.6% for >2.0 L. Hybrids ~1.55% / 9.3%. BEV exempt. Declare on PUESC within 14 days, pay within 30.

Technical inspection (badanie techniczne)

~PLN 99

Registration

~PLN 160–190

Transport or drive-home

~€500–720 pro transport DE→PL, or German export plates + fuel

Step by step

Buy the car and get German export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) to drive it home
File AKC-U/S on PUESC and pay the akcyza
Pass badanie techniczne at a Polish station
Register at the wydział komunikacji
Take out OC insurance the same day

Top traps to avoid

⚠ Trap The 2.0-litre cliff: a 2,001 cm³ engine is taxed 18.6% instead of 3.1% — a 6× jump on one cubic centimetre. Check displacement before you buy.

⚠ Trap Undervaluing the car on AKC-U/S — the tax office uses market tables and will reassess plus penalty interest.

⚠ Trap Odometer fraud on ex-fleet German cars — check the service history (and our mileage-inconsistent flag) before paying.

The VAT rule that costs thousands

Across every corridor, one EU rule costs buyers thousands: a vehicle that is less than 6 months old OR has under 6,000 km counts as 'new' and VAT is due in your destination country at your rate — whatever the price, even from a private seller. And a 'VAT-qualifying' (ex-lease/company) car should be bought net by a VAT-registered business, not at the gross price. When in doubt, get the VAT treatment in writing before you pay.

Before you import

Figures are indicative for 2026 from official sources; regional and annually-indexed amounts change — verify before you commit. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.

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