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How to import a car to Hungary?
Learn how to import cars to Hungary with this step-by-step guide. From documents to taxes, get all the tips you need to expand your dealership.
So, you’ve decided to stock your used car dealership with cars imported from the EU? That’s a smart decision, seeing as the Hungarian market has seen a steady demand for reliable used cars.
To make the import of cars from abroad into Hungary efficient and legal, you’ll need to navigate all the taxes, regulations, and procedures in accordance with the rules.
If you’re looking for a clear and actionable guide, you’re in the right place! We’ll walk you through the latest information about all the steps of the import process.
Get to know the Hungarian used car market
In case you’re still not sure if importing cars to Hungary would be a profitable venture for your business, you might want to go over the latest trends in the Hungarian used car market.
The numbers speak for themselves here.
Hungary Today reports that in the first five months of 2024, over 368,000 used cars were sold in Hungary, which is a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Notably, there’s a growing preference for older, more affordable vehicles. As much as 37% of sales involved cars at least 20 years old, and over 60% were at least 15 years old.
Now, with stricter CO₂ regulations and generous EV subsidies in countries like Germany and other EU members, many owners are replacing older vehicles with lower-emission models. So, there’s an increasing supply of reliable, used cars entering the market at competitive prices.
That’s your chance to get these vehicles at a deal, bring them to Hungary, and sell them for a profit—while meeting the growing demand for budget-friendly options among Hungarian buyers.
In terms of brand popularity, Hungary Today states that a few key players dominate Hungary’s used car market:
- Opel: 10.9%
- Volkswagen: 10.2%
- Suzuki: 8.2%
- Ford: 7.9%
As long as you stock popular models from these sought-after brands and brands similar to them, your dealership should be able to attract buyers and generate profits.
Documentation for importing a vehicle to Hungary as a business
Preparing the documents ahead of time is crucial for a smooth import process. As a registered car trader, you’ll need to have the following paperwork ready.
Vehicle purchase invoice + translation
The first thing you need to do is to prove that the car you’re importing is legally yours, and you can do that by presenting your vehicle purchase invoice.
If you’ve bought a car through eCarsTrade, you can download your purchase invoice from your Personal page.
Essentially, the purchase invoice is a detailed invoice that includes the purchase price, the buyer’s and seller’s details, and the vehicle information.
You’ll also need one copy of the invoice translated into Hungarian.
Certificate of Conformity (COC)
A certificate of conformity confirms that the vehicle meets EU safety and emissions standards, which is mandatory for registration in Hungary.
You have several options when it comes to COC. Some used cars come with their original COC issued by the manufacturer, but that’s not always the case.
If the car you’ve bought doesn’t have its original COC, you can request a replacement from companies like EuroCOC or COC Europe.
Some of the brands available on EuroCOC
Companies like these will charge you a fee, typically up to a few hundred euros, depending on the brand, and then you’ll be able to continue with the import process.
PRO TIP: Certificates of conformity are usually shipped by courier, which can take several days to arrive, so don’t forget to order yours well in advance to avoid delays.
Original registration documents
These are the car’s registration certificates from the exporting country. Depending on the country, this may include ownership details and vehicle history and specifications.
If you’re buying from eCarsTrade, you’ll be able to choose whether you want to get the documents when you pick up the car or if you’d like them to be delivered to an address you choose.
Either way, you’ll also need a certified translator because these documents also have to be translated into Hungarian.
Technical inspection certificate
Before registering a car in Hungary, it must pass a technical inspection to ensure it meets local safety and environmental standards.
When you pass the inspection, you’ll receive a certificate that confirms the vehicle is compliant. You’ll need that certificate later to complete the registration process.
Proof of insurance
Another document you’ll need to obtain before you register the car is proof of insurance.
You’ll need to purchase third-party liability insurance (kötelező gépjármű-felelősségbiztosítás) from a Hungarian insurance provider. Make sure you have your policy documents ready for the registration process.
Originality certificate
Whenever a used car is bought in Hungary, it has to go through the Eredetiségvizsga, or Originality examination. This step ensures the car hasn’t been stolen or illegally modified. If the car passes the inspection, you’ll receive a certificate confirming its authenticity.
Taxes when importing a car to Hungary
The purchase price of the car isn’t the only cost you’ll have to consider during import. There are several taxes and fees involved in import, and it’s important to understand them to budget correctly.
VAT (Value added tax)
VAT is mostly relevant for new vehicles—those less than six months old or with fewer than 6,000 kilometers. In these cases, you’ll need to pay Hungary’s standard 27% VAT.
For used cars, the situation is different. VAT must still be paid somewhere, but whether you need to pay it in Hungary depends on how you bought the car.
- VAT-Included purchases: If you buy a used car with VAT already included in the purchase price (common when buying from a VAT-registered seller within the EU), you won’t have to pay any additional VAT in Hungary. Make sure you keep the documentation showing that VAT was already paid in the exporting country.
- VAT-excluded purchases: If the purchase price is VAT-exclusive, you’ll need to declare and pay 27% VAT in Hungary. So, always check if the price includes VAT or not before buying to avoid unexpected costs.
Registration tax (Regisztrációs Adó)
Registration tax is mandatory for all vehicles imported to Hungary. It’s based on the car’s engine type, size, age, and emissions.
The tax typically ranges between 50,000 HUF and 2,000,000 HUF.
You can get a more accurate estimate using the registration tax calculator which allows you to input your car’s specific details to determine the exact tax amount.
Image source: Kalkulatorlap
Originality examination fee
Originality examination is another crucial part of buying used cars. The examination fee typically ranges from 16,000 HUF to 20,000 HUF, so don’t forget to factor this into your import budget.
Customs duties
When you’re importing from the EU, you don’t have to pay customs duties. However, if you want to import from countries outside the EU, customs duties apply.
Step-by-step process - from purchasing a car to importing it to Hungary
You’ve now seen the documents you’ll need to prepare and the taxes you’ll have to pay. Now, let’s walk through all the steps you’ll take to complete the import process.
Research and buy the car
The easiest way to find and buy cars for your dealership is to participate in online auctions like those available on eCarsTrade. eCarsTrade is an online auction platform where registered dealers bid on ex-lease cars sourced across Europe.
For an extra strategic approach, you should first observe your local market and see what sorts of vehicles perform best. When you identify those cars on eCarsTrade, you can place your bid and try to win them at competitive prices.
If you’d like to skip the bidding process, you can also buy cars at a fixed price from our stock.
Prepare the necessary documents
After buying the car, you’ll need to prepare for import, meaning you’ll need several documents confirming the car’s ownership, compliance with EU standards, and eligibility for registration in Hungary.
So, you should prepare the vehicle purchase invoice, Certificate of Conformity (COC), original registration documents, and proof of VAT payment if applicable.
In addition to original documents, make sure you also provide certified Hungarian translations.
Arrange transport to Hungary
Driving the car yourself is one of the options of transporting cars between dealerships. However, it’s more efficient, safer, and less stressful to hire a transport company specializing in vehicle logistics.
These companies handle the entire process, ensuring your car is delivered quickly and securely to your location. By using a transport service, like our eCarsTrade Delivery Service, you can save time and avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the car.
Pay VAT
If the purchase price includes VAT, you can skip this step. However, if the price is VAT-exclusive, as is the case with most cars on eCarsTrade, you’ll have to declare and pay 27% VAT in Hungary.
You’ll pay VAT with the National Tax and Customs Administration (NTCA), and you’ll need proof of payment to continue with the vehicle registration process.
Obtain insurance
You’ll need to arrange for third-party liability insurance, so you should contact an insurance agent to simplify the process and obtain a policy. Make sure you have the insurance certificate ready for the next steps.
Do the inspection of originality
After obtaining insurance, you’ll take the car to a specialized inspection center for an originality check, where they’ll confirm the car hasn’t been stolen. You’ll receive the originality certificate there. The originality test fee costs between 17,000 HUF and 20,000 HUF.
Pass the technical inspection
All imported cars must undergo a technical inspection (Műszaki Vizsga) to ensure they meet Hungarian road safety and environmental standards.
You can book your technical inspection appointment online to save time.
Booking the appointment online
Register the car and pay the registration
Finally, you’ll visit the registration office to complete the process. Submit all your documents, including the originality inspection certificate and technical inspection results, along with proof of tax and fee payments.
Be ready to pay the registration fee directly at the office.
Importing a car to Hungary - FAQ
► What is the Eredetiségvizsga, and why is it required?
The Eredetiségvizsga, or originality examination, ensures that the car hasn’t been stolen or illegally modified. It’s obligatory for all imported vehicles and you have to complete it before registration.
► How do I calculate registration tax for a specific car?
You can use Hungary’s registration tax calculator to get an estimate of how much you’ll need to pay. The amount depends on factors like the car’s age, engine type, and CO₂ emissions.
► Can I import an older car that doesn’t meet current EU emissions standards?
No, you can’t import vehicles that don’t meet EU emissions standards as they can’t pass the technical inspection and can’t be registered.
► What happens if my car fails the technical or originality inspection?
If the car fails either inspection, you’ll need to address the issues (like repairs or document corrections) and schedule a re-inspection. You have to pass both inspections before registering.
All you need to know about car import to Hungary
When you take a look at the list of steps to take and documents to bring, you’ll see that importing cars to Hungary is actually quite straightforward once you understand the process. Hopefully, this guide has made the import clearer.
So, now’s the time to start browsing which cars to import and resell, and maybe even place a bid on eCarsTrade auctions.
Soon, your dealership will be stocked with quality cars that meet local demand, giving you a great chance to boost sales and increase your profits.
Import pojazdów z Europy może być skomplikowany, ale eCarsTrade jest tutaj, aby uprościć ten proces. Dowiedz się, jak:
