Registration is required in the following cases:

• Purchasing a new or used car in Luxembourg
• Importing a car from an EU or non-EU country
• Moving to Luxembourg with a car already registered abroad

You have six months from your arrival in Luxembourg to register your foreign car with Luxembourg plates.

1. Get your registration number from the SNCA

You can request your registration number in the following ways:

• Online at MyGuichet.lu
• By emailling the SNCA

You can choose:

• A standard number (free)
• A personalised number (€200 fee)

2. Gather the required documents

Here’s what you’ll need to submit:

• The “Request for a Registration Certificate” form (available on the SNCA website)
• Proof of vehicle ownership: purchase invoice or sales contract
• Payment of the registration fee
• A valid insurance certificate from a Luxembourg-licensed insurance company (see our full article on car insurance in Luxembourg)
• A valid technical inspection certificate (for used vehicles)
• The original vehicle registration certificate (or foreign registration certificate for imported vehicles) for used cars
• A copy of a valid ID
• Proof of residence in Luxembourg (recent residence certificate)
• Customs certificate or sticker 705 (for vehicles imported to Luxembourg from the EU)
• European conformity certificate (if the vehicle was first registered after 01 February 2026)

For used cars: include the signed transfer of ownership declaration from the seller.

3. Pay the registration fee

Before submitting your application, you’ll need to pay the €50 registration fee. You can pay via:

• The Administration of Registration and Domains
• The SNCA (with an additional €3 fee)
• By bank transfer to the BCEE
• The ACL for members (free)

4. Submit your application to the SNCA

Next, submit your registration application to the SNCA. This can be done:

• In person (at Sandweiler, Esch-sur-Alzette, or Fridhaff) – make an appointment online
• By mail via registered letter

5. Receive your registration certificate and install your plates

Once you receive your vehicle registration certificate, head to an authorised manufacturer to have your plates made.
Note: The Luxembourg registration certificate consists of two parts:

• Part 1 – the grey part, which must be kept in the vehicle while driving
• Part 2 – the yellow part, which should be kept in a safe place, preferably outside the vehicle

If you buy a new car from a Luxembourg dealership, they can often handle the registration for you. You will just need to provide:

• The purchase invoice
• The conformity certificate (COC)
• A valid insurance certificate

This makes the process quick and easy.

Registering a used vehicle

For a used car purchased in Luxembourg:

• Make sure the vehicle has passed the technical inspection
• Gather the original registration certificate
• Obtain a proof of sale (contract or invoice)
• Ask the seller for the signed transfer of ownership declaration

Registering an imported vehicle 

If you import a car from abroad, you must:

• Have a technical inspection in Luxembourg
• Check that the vehicle meets local regulations
• Provide a customs clearance certificate (if non-EU)
• Pay VAT in Luxembourg (if the car is new and from the EU)

Vehicle registration in Luxembourg is valid as long as you own the vehicle. There is no periodic renewal of the registration certificate required.

Key things to remember:

• Vehicle insurance is mandatory before registration
• Always keep part 1 of the registration certificate in the vehicle while driving
• If you change your address in Luxembourg, update your registration certificate within one month
• The technical inspection must be renewed periodically:
  • Every 4 years for new vehicles
  • Every 2 years for vehicles older than 4 years
  • Annually for vehicles older than 6 years