How to buy a car in the Netherlands and bring it to Romania: RDW, BPM and export

Yes, a Romanian resident can buy a car in the Netherlands and register it in Romania. Before paying a deposit, check the RDW transfer, original documents, seller and physical condition; then establish the export arrangements, legal transport and complete budget.

Before the deposit: RDW, documents and inspection

Keep three checks separate. Registries and documents describe only recorded information, the physical inspection describes the condition accessible on the day of the check, and RAR, the tax authority and SPCRPCIV set Romanian requirements. No level replaces another. 1 2 3

Use RDW Kentekencheck and request an up-to-date RDW report if available. “Tenaamstelling mogelijk? nee” is a stop signal. Compare the VIN on the car with the plates, documents and contract or invoice. Check the seller’s identity and address, their right to sell, the transfer code, APK, recalls, keeper history, status and mileage. The RDW report does not prove ownership, complete foreign history or current mechanical condition. 4

Before payment, request the originals of the registration documents, purchase document and relevant technical documentation. Clarify the ownership chain and the name in the contract; a copy does not universally replace the original required by RAR or SPCRPCIV. 5 1 6 7

Interpret the mileage verdict strictly. RDW includes Belgian readings from 13 January 2025 and German readings from 3 February 2026, but a car previously imported into the Netherlands may receive “Geen oordeel vanwege invoer” even where values increase, because foreign periods may be missing. Reconstruct the chronology from invoices, APK and digital service history. 4 8

Compare the data with a cold start, diagnostics, accessible underside, corrosion, repairs, wheel alignment, tyres, brakes and a legal test drive. Mark what remains inaccessible and do not infer problems solely from Dutch origin. 4 8

RDW export and transport

Where feasible, name the Romanian buyer in the RDW procedure so that their details appear on the kentekenbewijs deel II export certificate. If the seller exports in their own name, they remain responsible until registration abroad; record the roles in writing before deregistration. 11

Export requires identification, the registration card and transfer code or the old Deel 1B and transfer certificate, plus the plates. Replace missing documents before export, because replacement is no longer available after deregistration. Keep the vrijwaringsbewijs (proof of release from liability), cut registration card/Deel 1B and Deel II; the latter two are used together for foreign registration. 11

White export plates permit up to 14 days on public roads in the Netherlands. The car must have valid insurance and APK. The Dutch period does not automatically authorise NL–DE–AT–HU–RO. For each date, driver and country, confirm in writing the validity of export/registration, roadworthiness inspection and insurance; if one link is undocumented, use transport with the vehicle carried as a load. 11 12 7

Any BPM refund is conditional and is not an automatic reduction for the buyer. Cumulative conditions: first Dutch registration plate on 16 October 2006 or later, no damaged-vehicle status, RDW export, and proof of permanent Romanian registration within 13 weeks of RDW export. Confirm the claimant, form, deadline and amount; do not confuse the 13-week window for proof with the application deadline. 13 14

RAR, CIV and available history

For a used vehicle last registered in an EU state, RAR issues the CIV directly only if it has EU type approval and the approved configuration has not been modified; otherwise it may require individual approval. RAR carries out the technical verification and authenticity certification. The CoC is compulsory in the WLTP branch indicated by RAR, usually for vehicles manufactured after 31 August 2018, but the year alone does not decide. 1 6 15

Authenticity concerns identification elements and the previous document. The certificate serves one registration only and is valid for a maximum of 60 calendar days; it does not guarantee ownership, absence of finance, condition or complete history. 2 15

RAR Auto-Pass shows only the RAR register. With data it costs 42 lei and is valid for 60 days; a no-data negative result is free, but does not prove the absence of incidents or a complete foreign history. The handover obligation does not automatically apply to the Dutch seller on the first direct import. 16 17

VAT, taxation and registration

For VAT, the car is new if it has no more than 6,000 km or is delivered within no more than six months of first registration. It is used only if it has more than 6,000 km and is delivered after more than six months; equality at either threshold keeps it in the new branch. For the individual not registered for VAT, the intra-Community acquisition of a new vehicle is taxable in Romania at the standard rate of 21%. For a used vehicle exceeding both thresholds, no additional acquisition VAT normally arises in Romania, but the invoice depends on the seller and the normal or margin scheme. Do not assume a net price, deduction or refund. 18 19 20

If the registration applicant is the intra-Community buyer not registered for VAT, the file requires the ANAF VAT certificate confirming that VAT was paid or is not due. For a new vehicle for tax purposes, submit D301 and pay before registration, no later than the applicable tax deadline. Foreign documents submitted to ANAF need authorised translations. The ANAF certificate is distinct from the local tax clearance certificate and is not a customs procedure for Switzerland. 5 21 22 19

From 25 February 2026, Article 159(5²) requires the buyer of a means of transport to have a certificate regarding obligations to the local budget at their home address, replaceable by electronic verification; paragraph (6) provides for the nullity of acts concluded in breach of the relevant requirements. The text does not expressly explain territorial application or the mechanics of a direct contract with a foreign seller. Before signing, confirm for your case the certificate or verification with the local tax authority, without stating here that the foreign contract is valid, void or exempt. 9 10 5

After CIV, declare the vehicle to the local tax authority within 30 days of CIV issue, not from the contract, and record the ownership document in the tax register. Then apply to the SPCRPCIV competent for your home address with the tax-recorded document, identity document, CIV, RCA in the required name, valid ITP and authenticity certification, fees and the originals of foreign documents and plates, as applicable. Add the ANAF certificate only to the applicable intra-Community branch; some checks may be electronic. 23 5 21 22 24

The 90-day limit from entry into Romania for a Romanian resident’s car with foreign plates operates only while it is insured and does not extend plates, registration, ITP or an insurance policy that expires earlier. It does not run from the contract and does not validate international transit. 25

Budget without false totals

On 10 September 2026, the certificate and two type A plates cost 49 + 52 = 101 lei. From 15 September, the same items cost 76 + 52 = 128 lei if the plates remain 26 lei each; provisional authorisation will cost 25 lei. The remaining costs are to be determined. 24 26 27

Working checklist

Frequently asked questions

When is the car new for VAT?

If it has no more than 6,000 km or is delivered within no more than six months. It is used only if it has more than 6,000 km and is delivered after more than six months; equality keeps it in the new branch. The new vehicle is taxable in Romania at 21% for the buyer in this guide; for a used one, no additional acquisition VAT normally arises, but the invoice scheme matters. 18, 19, 20

What does the ANAF certificate prove?

For the applicant who made the intra-Community acquisition and is not registered for VAT, it shows that VAT has been paid or is not due. For a new vehicle for tax purposes, D301 and payment are completed before registration; foreign documents are translated by an authorised translator. It is not the local tax clearance certificate and is not the procedure for a Swiss customs import. 5, 21, 22, 19

When do I declare the car to the local tax authority?

Within 30 days of RAR issuing the CIV, not from the contract. The ownership document must then be recorded in the local tax register for registration. 23, 5

Can I use Romanian provisional plates outside Romania?

No. The authorisation is in the owner’s name, requires RCA for the specified person and permits driving only in Romania. The normal period is a maximum of 90 days, including cumulative shorter periods; if foreign documents are missing for a previously registered vehicle, the special branch is a maximum of five days. 21

Does a negative Auto-Pass result prove a clean history?

No. Auto-Pass shows only the RAR register. With data it costs 42 lei and is valid for 60 days; a no-data negative result is free, but does not prove the absence of incidents or a complete foreign history. The Romanian handover obligation does not automatically apply to the Dutch seller on the first import. 16, 17

Does RDW confirm the entire mileage history?

No. Belgian readings are included from 13 January 2025 and German readings from 3 February 2026, but foreign periods may be missing. “Geen oordeel vanwege invoer” does not confirm a logical chain; compare with invoices, APK, service and physical inspection. 4, 8

Do the 14 days cover the journey to Romania?

No. They permit driving on Dutch public roads with valid insurance and APK. Acceptance and insurance must be confirmed separately for DE, AT, HU and RO, for the actual dates and driver; otherwise use transport with the vehicle carried as a load. 11, 12, 7

Can I deduct the BPM refund from the price?

Not without current evidence. It does not automatically go to the buyer. Confirm the first registration plate on 16 October 2006 or later, absence of damaged-vehicle status, proof of Romanian registration within 13 weeks of RDW export, the claimant, form, deadline and amount. 13, 14

Does CarAudit inspect in the Netherlands?

Public coverage: the Netherlands; confirm the location, date and access. Public price: 239 EUR, including VAT and travel; optional battery diagnostics: 179 EUR. Report: within a maximum of 48 hours after the inspection, excluding weekends/public holidays. Inspection: up to 270 points, depending on access, lift and legal road test, without dismantling. It does not certify the history; faults arising later are excluded. The technical-condition certificate is not a warranty under the Civil Code. The service does not provide transport, RAR or registration. 28, 29, 3

If you have chosen a car in the Netherlands, you may conditionally request an independent inspection before paying a deposit. Confirm location, date, access and possible tests; availability and the result are not guaranteed, and the service does not include transport, RAR, taxes 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. RDW — advice when buying a vehicle
5. Bucharest Prefecture — vehicle-registration guidance
6. RAR — documents for DOIIT activities
7. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
8. RDW — recording odometer readings
9. Romanian Tax Procedure Code, consolidated text — Article 159
10. Emergency Ordinance No. 7 of 24 February 2026
11. RDW — vehicle export
12. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
13. Belastingdienst — BPM refund when exporting a used vehicle
14. Belastingdienst — BPM refund application for a Dutch-registered vehicle
15. RNTR 7 — authenticity and individual approval
16. RAR Auto-Pass — official service information
17. Law No. 142/2023 — RAR Auto-Pass
18. Your Europe — VAT when buying or selling a car abroad
19. ANAF Brașov — VAT and vehicle acquisitions
20. ANAF — Romanian VAT rates
21. MAI Order No. 181/2024 — registration and provisional circulation
22. ANAF Order No. 1611/2022
23. Law No. 296/2020 — amendment to Article 471(3)
24. MAI service hub — vehicle registration
25. Emergency Ordinance No. 195/2002 — Article 82(4)
26. MAI Order No. 55/2025 — registration-plate tariffs
27. Buzău Prefecture — fee notice dated 2 September 2026
28. CarAudit Romania — home and order section
29. CarAudit Romania — frequently asked questions