Why Germany?
The German market is the largest in Europe: more choice of trims, options and colours. Prices can be better there, especially for recent, well-equipped cars. The saving must still cover the import costs and your time.
Before buying: the checks
- No Car-Pass: it only exists in Belgium. Check the mileage against the service book (“Scheckheft”), the invoices and the German roadworthiness reports (“HU / TÜV”).
- The documents: the two-part German registration certificate (“Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II”) and the European certificate of conformity (COC).
- The seller: a professional generally offers more guarantees than a private individual. Be wary of prices that are too low and of requests for a deposit before the viewing.
- The LEZ: check the Euro standard if you drive in Brussels, Antwerp or Ghent.
The steps of the import
- The purchase: a contract or invoice in your name, both parts of the registration certificate and the COC.
- Bringing it back: either on the road with German export plates and temporary insurance, or by lorry or trailer.
- Belgian customs: you apply for the import document (e-705), which allows registration. For a used car bought in the European Union, there is no Belgian VAT to pay. Note: a car considered new (less than 6 months old or under 6,000 km) follows different VAT rules.
- The Belgian roadworthiness test: the car must pass it before it can be registered in Belgium.
- Registration: your insurer submits the application to the DIV, which sends you the Belgian number plate.
- Taxes: the registration tax (regional, one-off), then the annual road tax.
The costs to expect
- Transport or export plates and temporary insurance.
- Belgian roadworthiness test.
- Number plate and registration.
- Registration tax, which depends on the region, the power and the age of the car.
- Your time: journeys, paperwork, appointments.
Our advice: do the full calculation before buying. If the saving does not comfortably exceed these costs, a car bought in Belgium, with a Car-Pass, is often simpler.
With Huntly
We search in Belgium first, then in Europe if it is better value and you agree. We can handle the whole import: from €690, plus the actual costs.
Sources (in French): FPS Finance, importing a vehicle · Touring, importing a used car. General information, updated in October 2026: check the official rules before buying.