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Andorra
Import, customs, IGI, conformity, roadworthiness testing, insurance, and plates: the steps to register a vehicle in Andorra.
Content reviewed by the legal and tax team of ProGestió Andorra — Last updated:
When relocating to Andorra, registering a vehicle can seem like a minor detail compared with housing or residency. It actually involves several parties, though: customs, insurance, roadworthiness testing, the register, and, depending on the vehicle, type approval or conformity documents.
The process depends on where the vehicle comes from, its age, its owner, and whether it’s for personal or business use.
Before importing it, it’s worth checking that the vehicle can actually be registered, and that its total cost remains reasonable once taxes, transport, formalities, and any technical adjustments are factored in.
| Step | What to check |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Invoice, sale contract, or registration certificate |
| Export | Deregistration or exit documents from the country of origin |
| Customs | Declaration, origin, and value of the vehicle |
| Taxation | Import IGI and any applicable duties |
| Conformity | Certificate of conformity or type approval |
| Roadworthiness testing | Inspection based on the vehicle’s characteristics |
| Insurance | A valid policy before the vehicle is put on the road |
| Registration | Administrative file and plate assignment |
The exact order can vary. An unusual, modified, older vehicle, or one from outside the European framework, needs more checks.
No. Whether it can be registered depends, in particular, on:
Before buying, it’s wise to pass on the technical specifications and documents to a professional or the relevant authority. A good deal abroad can become expensive if individual type approval or modifications are needed.
A resident bringing a vehicle they owned in their previous country needs to prepare:
Having owned the vehicle for several years doesn’t automatically exempt you from every tax formality. Treatment depends on origin, the transfer regime, and the supporting documents.
Andorra isn’t an EU member, but has a customs union with the EU for industrial goods. The vehicle’s origin, provenance, and tax status remain decisive.
When buying from a European seller, it’s necessary to coordinate:
Don’t assume foreign VAT will automatically be refunded. The sale contract and export procedure need to be confirmed before payment.
A vehicle of non-European origin can be subject to customs duties calculated under the applicable tariff, on top of IGI and technical fees.
The customs value can include the price of the vehicle as well as certain transport, insurance, and delivery costs up to the point of entry.
Type approval also needs checking. A model sold in the US, the UK, or another market may not meet the standards required for Andorran registration.
Importing a vehicle is, in principle, a transaction subject to IGI under the applicable rules.
The taxable base isn’t always limited to the price shown on an invoice. The authorities can examine:
An unusually low invoice between related parties may require further explanation.
The certificate of conformity confirms the vehicle matches an approved type.
Where it’s missing, or where the vehicle has been modified, an additional procedure may be needed:
Classic cars, converted commercial vehicles, motorhomes, modified motorcycles, and competition vehicles need particular attention.
Before final registration, the vehicle needs to meet technical requirements and be insured.
The insurance needs to match:
Temporary foreign insurance can be useful during the transfer, but doesn’t necessarily replace the policy required for Andorran registration.
Registering a vehicle in a company’s name doesn’t automatically make every expense deductible.
It’s necessary to determine:
A vehicle mainly used personally needs to be treated as such. Accounting and tax rules need to be set before the purchase.
Registering the vehicle and exchanging your driving licence are two separate processes. A new resident needs to check the exchange conditions, deadlines, recognised licence categories, and any medical or administrative documents required.
Don’t wait for your foreign licence to expire, or for the applicable deadline to pass, before starting this process.
The overall cost can include:
Amounts depend on the vehicle. A reliable quote needs, at minimum, the chassis number, model, year, country of origin, value, and available documents.
Can I keep my foreign plates after relocating? Temporary use may be possible depending on the situation, but a resident needs to quickly check their import and registration obligations.
Is IGI always 4.5%? The standard rate is 4.5%, but the taxable base, customs duties, and specific situations all need checking.
Can a car bought in France be invoiced VAT-free? It depends on the seller, the export, and proof of the vehicle leaving the country. The procedure needs to be agreed before the purchase.
Is a company vehicle fully deductible? Not automatically. Business use, IGI, and the personal benefit all need to be documented.
To go further: Relocating to Andorra, Taxation in Andorra, IGI, Administrative management, Company formation.
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