Importing a car from Italy to Austria: step by step

Yes, as a private individual resident in Austria, you can import a used car from Italy. But an attractive purchase price is not the only consideration: before paying, you must establish the ownership and registry position, eligibility for export, vehicle documents, tax status and a genuinely lawful transport route. No customs duty is payable on this route within the EU; NoVA, any Austrian acquisition VAT that may be due, approval, insurance and registration remain separate steps. 1 2

Set a firm stop if the seller cannot prove their authority, a registry barrier remains unresolved, essential documents are missing, or the number plates and insurance cannot be shown to be valid for the entire journey. Before signing, you should also know whether the vehicle is classified as new or used for tax purposes and whether it has EU type approval together with a COC.

Check the registers, seller and export before payment

First request a current, number-plate-based PRA search. It shows the registered holder, legal status and registered encumbrances. If transfers of ownership, loss-of-possession entries or an earlier deregistration are material, also request a certified chronological PRA extract. The basic search is not a certificate and generally covers only computerised PRA transactions from 1992 onwards. Neither product replaces an accident, mileage, maintenance or mechanical history. 3 4

Cross-check the vehicle identification number, number plate, the seller's identity details and the original documents. At a minimum, the contract should clearly specify the vehicle, purchase price, mileage, known damage, documents handed over, responsibility for export deregistration and payment stages. Pay the remaining balance only once the agreed stop/go evidence is available; a different account holder or time pressure warrants additional scrutiny.

Definitive export requires simultaneous deregistration from the Italian national vehicle archive and the PRA. The applicant may be the registered holder or another entitled person, including an owner who is not yet registered. Depending on the case, the required items are the number plate details, unified application, proof of identity, registration and ownership documents or the unified vehicle document, as well as the number plates. An owner who is not registered must present the original legally executed title of acquisition. 5

At the time of application, the periodic inspection must be current or the prescribed roadworthiness test must have been completed in the year it falls due; in addition, no individual-inspection measure may be pending. An administrative hold must be cancelled before export deregistration. An attachment or seizure requires the consent of the creditor or authority, while an unexpired mortgage requires the creditor's notarised consent. Obtain current documentation of the cancellation or consent before paying. 6

Assess condition separately from the register

A clean PRA record says nothing reliable about accident damage, wear or the quality of maintenance. Assess the test drive, cold start, bodywork, underbody, diagnostics, brakes, tyres and documentation separately; for an electric car, the condition of the traction battery belongs in the purchase decision. A pre-purchase inspection is neither an Austrian § 57a inspection nor vehicle approval or a warranty.

A vehicle inspection was listed for Italy on the CarAudit page checked. As at 13 September 2026, the standard inspection was listed at EUR 229.00 including VAT and technician travel, with optional traction-battery diagnostics at EUR 179.00. The stated report target was within 48 hours after the inspection, excluding weekends and public holidays, and remains subject to seller access, specific availability and operational limits. The service is not import handling and guarantees neither eligibility for registration nor detection of every defect. 10 11 12

Choose transport only after obtaining written clarification

The unified vehicle document marked accordingly after export deregistration is not valid for use on the road. For a journey after deregistration, the registered holder or another entitled person may apply for a route sheet and provisional number plates at the competent provincial Motorizzazione office or an authorised vehicle consultancy. 5 6

You must not treat this as automatic confirmation that the journey is lawful. Before collection, obtain written confirmation that the route sheet and number plates are recognised in every country transited and that the specific insurance policy covers the entire route to Austria. If reliable confirmation is unavailable, choose lawful towing or vehicle transport. 6 9

Austrian temporary transfer plates are valid for 3 to 21 days and cost EUR 248.60 plus insurance; this includes a EUR 36.00 deposit, refundable when the number plates are returned. For own imports, Austrian guidance nevertheless recommends foreign transfer plates because Austrian plates can cause problems abroad. They therefore do not provide blanket proof that collection from Italy is lawful. 13

Classify taxes and NoVA correctly

For Austrian acquisition VAT, a vehicle is new if it has travelled no more than 6,000 km or its first use was no more than six months before acquisition. It is used only if its mileage exceeds 6,000 km and its first use was more than six months earlier. Check both criteria; one alone is not enough for classification as used. 7 2

For a new vehicle, a private individual in Austria owes 20% acquisition VAT and NoVA before registration; the treatment of foreign VAT depends on the statutory conditions for an intra-Community supply. An ordinary private purchase of a used vehicle is generally subject to NoVA, but not to this acquisition-VAT branch for new vehicles. For a used vehicle already registered in the EU, NoVA is generally based on the regime applicable at its first EU registration and subsequent value development. The current formula must therefore not be applied across the board; even a low private purchase price may require evidence against an Austrian valuation. 2 14

For the NoVA 2 declaration, the invoice serves as proof of acquisition when buying from an authorised dealer. For an ordinary private purchase, you need the purchase contract and a vehicle valuation, such as Eurotax, Autopreisspiegel or a report by a generally sworn expert; do not rely without checking on one of the narrowly limited exceptions. Other required evidence includes foreign vehicle and approval documents, an extract from the Austrian vehicle approval database and photo ID. A customs assessment is not part of the standard case on this EU route. Only after the applicable tax has been paid will the tax authority clear the vehicle in the database for registration. 15

Approval, insurance and registration in Austria

Every imported vehicle must be entered in the Austrian vehicle approval database before registration. Where EU type approval exists, a new Austrian approval is not usually necessary; however, for the database entry you need approval evidence such as the COC or foreign vehicle registration certificate. Without EU type approval, individual vehicle approval and possibly an additional exemption approval are required. 15 8

Entry of an EU-type-approved vehicle can cost up to EUR 180.00. Depending on the evidence, the authority's page gives an approximate cost of EUR 150.00 for individual vehicle approval; necessary documents, modifications or further inspections can change the work involved. 8

For registration, you need motor liability insurance valid in Austria, proof of identity and approval and, where applicable, both parts of the previous EU vehicle registration certificate. If the periodic inspection is due and no current positive inspection report is stored in the Austrian database, you must submit one as well. Own imports additionally require the database entry and NoVA clearance. 16

The basic items listed for a passenger car as at 13 September 2026 total EUR 270.00: EUR 178.00 authority share, EUR 65.60 processing, EUR 1.10 residence enquiry, EUR 2.30 inspection sticker and EUR 23.00 number plates. The optional chip-card vehicle registration certificate costs EUR 31.10. Insurance, inspection, translation, technical modifications, transport and taxes are additional, depending on the vehicle. 16

As a person resident in Austria, you may generally use an imported vehicle with foreign number plates for one month from the date it is first brought into Austria. A further month is available only if you can credibly show that registration within the original period was not possible. This period extends neither the validity of a foreign number plate nor its insurance. 7

Plan the budget without false precision

The table selects commercial vehicle transport and, solely as a clearly labelled planning assumption, the database branch where EU type approval exists. If type approval is absent, replace this amount with a specific quote for individual vehicle approval; the two branches do not belong in the same total. Because the purchase price, NoVA, transport and several vehicle details remain unresolved, no credible overall total can be given. 14 8

Chronological checklist through to registration

Complete the steps in this order. An unresolved registry, export or transport issue is not a detail for later, but a reason to suspend payment or collection.

Frequently asked questions

When is the car considered used for Austrian acquisition VAT?

It is used only if it has travelled more than 6,000 km and more than six months have passed since its first use. No more than 6,000 km or no more than six months means it is new. 7, 2

Are customs duty, VAT and NoVA payable on a car from Italy?

No customs duty is payable on this EU route. NoVA must be dealt with before registration. The 20% acquisition VAT applies to new vehicles, but generally not to an ordinary private purchase of a used vehicle. NoVA remains vehicle-specific. 1, 2, 14

Is a basic PRA search sufficient as a vehicle history?

No. It shows the registered holder, legal status and encumbrances, but is not a certificate and is generally limited to computerised transactions from 1992 onwards. A certified chronological extract provides the legal sequence; the physical and maintenance history remain unresolved. 3, 4

Can I drive directly to Austria after Italian export deregistration?

No. The export-marked vehicle document is not valid for use on the road. A route sheet and provisional number plates require confirmed recognition and insurance for the entire route. Otherwise, choose a carrier. 5, 6, 9

Which documents are central to approval and registration in Austria?

The key items are approval evidence, registration documents, database entry, NoVA clearance, proof of identity and Austrian motor liability insurance. Where applicable, both parts of the registration certificate and a positive inspection report, if due, are also required. 8, 15, 16

What can a CarAudit pre-purchase inspection do?

Subject to confirmed availability, it supports the condition assessment. As at 13 September 2026: inspection EUR 229.00, optional battery diagnostics EUR 179.00; report target within 48 hours after the inspection, excluding weekends and public holidays. It replaces neither the § 57a inspection nor import handling and is not a warranty. 10, 11, 12

Request a pre-purchase inspection

If CarAudit confirms the vehicle, location, seller access and appointment, you can request an inspection in Italy before paying. Check the scope and terms first; export handling, approval and the statutory roadworthiness inspection are not included. 10, 11, 12

Sources

1. Kfz-Import aus EU-Ländern
2. Fahrzeugerwerb aus Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union
3. Visurenet PRA search
4. Crononet chronological PRA extract
5. Deregistration for definitive export
6. Useful information on export deregistration
7. Allgemeines zum Eigenimport von Kfz
8. Import von Kfz — Genehmigungsdatenbank und Typisierung
9. Buying and leasing a car abroad
10. CarAudit Austria — service and order page
11. CarAudit Austria — Was wir prüfen
12. CarAudit-Bedingungen
13. Überstellungskennzeichen
14. NoVA Steuersatz
15. Verfahren bei Fahrzeugimport
16. Kfz-Zulassung