How to buy a car in Austria and bring it to Romania: Pickerl, NoVA and export

Do not pay a deposit until you have linked the VIN, seller, originals, condition and transport. A Romanian private individual not registered for VAT goes through the transaction and Austrian deregistration, transport, then RAR, tax matters and SPCRPCIV. Registers, inspections and authorities describe different things; no layer replaces another. 1 2 3

Before the deposit: the car’s identity, documents and actual condition

Compare the VIN on the car with both parts of the Austrian certificate, the approval document and the contract or invoice. Identify the seller, their right to sell and the chain of ownership. Request the issued originals: a copy does not universally replace an original required by RAR or SPCRPCIV. Stop payment at any discrepancy or unexplained absence. 6 4 1 9 5

A valid Pickerl does not prove the current condition. Request the full §57a report, with defects, classification and dates; do not assume the Austrian date tolerance applies abroad. Inspect the accessible condition and record areas not checked. Conclusions must come from the specific car, not stereotypes about Austrian origin. 10 7

RAR Auto-Pass shows only data in the RAR register. It costs 42 lei when data are available and is valid for 60 days; the free negative result does not prove a clean Austrian history. The duty to provide it concerns vehicles registered, recorded or placed on the market in Romania, not automatically the first direct import. 11 12

Contract, deregistration and a possible NoVA refund

Coordinate deregistration and retain both parts of the certificate, the approval document and proof of purchase. The old plates are surrendered in deregistration, and a missing part must be explained to the Austrian office. The contract sets out the price, handover, documents and costs. 6

A NoVA refund is not an automatic discount. For permanent exports from 1 July 2026, the applicant is the person transferring the right to dispose of the vehicle. The contract specifies the applicant, evidence and whether the estimate is included in the price. 13 14

Under the current §12a, the cumulative conditions include proof of export, Austrian deregistration and no more than 48 months from first registration anywhere in the world until that deregistration; an intermediate deregistration does not restart the period. A refund above €5,000 requires a valuation: the threshold concerns the refund, not the car’s value. Eligibility and amount remain to be determined. 14

How to bring the car: driven or on a vehicle transporter

Überstellungskennzeichen are issued for 3–21 days, with insurance and the required originals. The application goes to the competent office for the applicant’s current place of stay in Austria. Confirm the office, proof of inspection, applicant or representative, and the exact dates. 7

Validity of the plate in Austria does not prove acceptance or insurance in Hungary and Romania. For AT–HU–RO, request written confirmation for the actual plate, driver, owner, dates and route; check export/registration, periodic roadworthiness inspection (ITP) and insurance in each state. If evidence is missing, use a vehicle transporter and budget for one option only. 7 8 5

The Romanian limit of 90 days from entry for a resident’s vehicle with foreign plates applies only while it is insured. It does not extend the plate, registration, ITP or policy, and does not validate transit. 15

After arrival: RAR, VAT and local tax records

RAR issues the vehicle identity document (CIV) directly if the car has EU type approval and an unmodified configuration; otherwise it may require individual approval. RAR checks technical compliance and authenticity. A CoC is mandatory in the indicated WLTP branch, generally after 31 August 2018, but the year alone does not decide. 1 9 16

RAR authenticity certification checks identification and the previous document. The certificate serves one registration only and is valid for a maximum of 60 calendar days; it does not by itself prove condition, ownership, absence of finance or complete history. 2 16

For tax purposes, the car is “new” if it has no more than 6,000 km or delivery takes place within six months of first registration. It is “used” only when it has more than 6,000 km and more than six months have passed. Equality keeps it in the new branch. 17 18

A vehicle new for VAT purposes is taxable in Romania at 21%; deal with Form D301 and payment before registration, by the tax deadline. For a used vehicle above both thresholds, a private individual generally does not owe additional acquisition VAT in Romania, but the invoice depends on the seller and the normal or margin scheme. Do not assume a net price, deduction or refund. 17 18 19

The applicant not registered for VAT who made the intra-Community acquisition presents the ANAF VAT certificate confirming VAT paid or not due. Foreign documents require authorised Romanian translations. The certificate differs from the local tax clearance certificate and the Swiss customs-import procedure. 4 20 21 18

Tax clearance before signing and registration

From 25 February 2026, Article 159(5²) requires the buyer’s local tax clearance certificate, replaceable by an electronic check; paragraph (6) provides for the nullity of acts contrary to paragraphs (5) and (5²). The text does not clarify its application to a contract with a foreign seller. Before signing, ask the competent local tax authority for the specific approach; do not declare the contract valid, void or exempt. 22 23 4

Declare the car to the competent local tax authority within 30 days of RAR issuing the CIV, not from the contract. Record the proof of ownership in the tax records before registration. 24 4

At the SPCRPCIV for your domicile, the file includes, as applicable, proof of ownership recorded for tax, identity, CIV, RCA in the required name, valid ITP and authenticity certification, fees, originals of foreign documents and plates. The ANAF certificate appears only in the applicable intra-Community branch; some checks may be electronic. 4 20 21 25

The provisional authorisation is in the owner’s name, requires RCA and permits driving only in Romania. The normal period is a maximum total of 90 days; without the foreign registration documents, the special branch is a maximum of five days. 20

Realistic budget, without a false total

101 lei until 14 September and 128 lei from 15 September 2026 cover only the certificate and two type-A plates, if plates remain 26 lei each. RAR, RCA, translations, transport, Austrian charges and local tax are to be determined. 25 27 26

Checklist before you leave to collect the car

Frequently asked questions

Does a valid Pickerl mean the car is sound and can be driven to Romania?

No. A Pickerl does not replace a pre-purchase inspection, and the Austrian date tolerance must not be assumed to apply in other states. Request the full §57a report and separately confirm the plate, ITP, insurance, driver, dates and AT–HU–RO route. 10, 7, 8

When is a car “new” for VAT purposes?

If it has no more than 6,000 km OR is delivered within six months of first registration. It is used for tax purposes only when it has more than 6,000 km AND more than six months have passed. Exactly 6,000 km or exactly six months keeps it in the new-vehicle branch. 17, 18

Is the ANAF certificate the same as the local tax clearance certificate?

No. For the applicable intra-Community acquisition, ANAF confirms VAT paid or that VAT is not due. The local tax clearance certificate concerns the buyer’s obligations to the local budget. They are distinct, and foreign documents submitted to ANAF require authorised Romanian translations. 22, 21, 18

Do the 30 days for the tax declaration start from the contract?

Not for a vehicle acquired outside Romania. The period starts when RAR issues the CIV. The proof of ownership must then be recorded in the local tax records for the registration file. 24, 4

Can I leave Romania with Romanian red provisional plates?

No. The Romanian provisional authorisation permits driving only in Romania, with valid RCA. The normal duration is a maximum total of 90 days; where foreign registration documents are missing, the special branch is a maximum of five days. 20

Does an Auto-Pass with no data prove the car has had no incidents?

No. The negative document is free, but says only that the RAR register has no data. It does not certify the complete history in Austria or the absence of damage, finance or modifications. 11, 12

Does the NoVA refund automatically belong to me and reduce the price?

No. In the branch after 1 July 2026, the eligible applicant is the person transferring the right to dispose of the vehicle, and the conditions are cumulative. The contract must state the applicant, evidence and whether the amount is included in the price. The €5,000 threshold concerns the refund requiring a valuation, not the car’s value. 13, 14

Is a CarAudit inspection available for a car in Austria?

Austria is expressly included in the public coverage, but the location, date and access to the car must be confirmed. The service publishes €239 including VAT and technician travel, and a report within 48 hours of the inspection, excluding weekends and public holidays. The check covers up to 270 points, depending on access, a lift and a lawful test drive; it involves no dismantling or civil-law warranty, does not cover faults arising after the inspection or import formalities, and does not promise the absence of future faults. 28, 29, 3

If you have chosen a car in Austria, you can request an independent inspection before paying a deposit. Confirm the location, date, access to the vehicle and scope of the check; the service does not guarantee the result or take over transport, RAR, tax matters or registration. 28, 29, 3

Sources

1. RAR — CIV for used vehicles last registered in the EU
2. RAR — authenticity certification
3. CarAudit Romania — what we inspect
4. Bucharest Prefecture — vehicle-registration guidance
5. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
6. oesterreich.gv.at — Vehicle deregistration
7. oesterreich.gv.at — Transfer plates
8. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
9. RAR — documents for DOIIT activities
10. ÖAMTC — Pre-purchase inspection
11. RAR Auto-Pass — official service information
12. Law No. 142/2023 — RAR Auto-Pass
13. BMF — NoVA refund
14. BMF — NoVA refund changes from 1 July 2026
15. Emergency Ordinance No. 195/2002 — Article 82(4)
16. RNTR 7 — authenticity and individual approval
17. Your Europe — VAT when buying or selling a car abroad
18. ANAF Brașov — VAT and vehicle acquisitions
19. ANAF — Romanian VAT rates
20. MAI Order No. 181/2024 — registration and provisional circulation
21. ANAF Order No. 1611/2022
22. Romanian Tax Procedure Code, consolidated text — Article 159
23. Emergency Ordinance No. 7 of 24 February 2026
24. Law No. 296/2020 — amendment to Article 471(3)
25. MAI service hub — vehicle registration
26. Buzău Prefecture — fee notice dated 2 September 2026
27. MAI Order No. 55/2025 — registration-plate tariffs
28. CarAudit Romania — home and order section
29. CarAudit Romania — frequently asked questions