How to buy a car from Czechia and bring it to Romania: documents, export and registration

The short answer: a private individual resident in Romania, not registered for VAT, should pay only after verifying the seller’s entitlement and documents, the car’s actual condition, and lawful transport to Romania. Registers show only recorded information, the physical inspection shows the condition accessible on the inspection day, and RAR, the tax authority and SPCRPCIV determine the Romanian formalities. No level replaces another. 1 2 3

If the seller, VIN, originals or route cannot be demonstrated, postpone payment. A plausible STK does not prove the car’s quality.

Before the deposit: the seller, VIN and Czech documents

Compare the VIN on the car with the Czech registration certificate and the contract or invoice. Identify the seller and their entitlement to dispose of the vehicle; for an agent, request the authorisation. Request the originals actually issued, the purchase document and relevant technical documentation. The old “velký technický průkaz” is required only if it was issued. Copies do not universally replace the originals subsequently required by RAR or SPCRPCIV. 4 5 1 6 7

In the purchase document, record the parties, VIN, final price, invoice treatment, handover, mileage, documents and plates. The sources do not establish a universal Czech tax refund, tax reduction or fixed export cost. Do not assume a net price, deduction or refund.

Kontrola tachometru displays odometer readings recorded at STK and emissions inspections, not certified actual total mileage. Compare them with invoices, servicing, diagnostics and wear; missing periods remain unverified. 8 “Evidenční kontrola” compares the car’s identification with Czech documents. It does not verify the seller’s entitlement, encumbrances, accident history or mechanical condition. 9

Physical inspection and the limits of history

Check repairs, structure, safety, leaks, wear and diagnostics. Record what cannot be tested lawfully or because access is unavailable; registers do not prove current condition.

RAR Auto-Pass contains only data from the RAR register. With data it costs 42 lei and is valid for 60 days; without data it produces a free negative statement, which does not prove a clean or complete external history. The obligation to hand it over concerns transfers of vehicles registered, recorded or placed on the market in Romania, not automatically a first direct import from a Czech seller. 11 12

Export from Czechia and transport

For the export-plate route through ORP, the registered owner or their representative with written authorisation applies. The file includes the registration certificate, any issued technical passport and all existing plates; ORP checks a valid “evidenční kontrola”. This does not confirm recognition of the plates and insurance in transit states. 4

Separately, after subsequent registration in another EU state, the foreign authority notifies Czechia within two months. Notification is not plate validity and does not permit driving an unregistered or uninsured vehicle. 4 10

CZ–SK–HU–RO is an indicative corridor, not legal approval. For driving on its wheels, obtain written confirmation of territorial cover for the route, dates and actual driver/owner; check the plates/registration and roadworthiness test in CZ–SK–HU–RO. Temporary plates are not automatically recognised throughout the EU. If a segment is not documented, use transport with the vehicle carried as a load on a transporter. 7 10 4

RAR, CIV and authenticity

For a used vehicle last registered in an EU state, RAR issues CIV directly only if EU type approval exists and the approved configuration has not been modified; otherwise it may require individual approval. RAR carries out the technical inspection and authenticity certification. CoC is mandatory in the WLTP branch indicated by RAR, generally for vehicles manufactured after 31 August 2018; the year alone does not determine the obligation. 1 6 13

Authenticity concerns identification and the foreign registration document. The certificate is for a single registration and a maximum of 60 calendar days; on its own, it does not prove condition, civil ownership, absence of finance or complete history. 2 13

Romanian taxation: clarify before signing

From 25 February 2026, Art. 159(5²) requires the buyer of a means of transport to have a certificate regarding obligations to the local budget at their domicile, replaceable by electronic verification; paragraph (6) provides for nullity of acts concluded in breach of paragraphs (5) and (5²). The primary text does not expressly explain territorial application or the mechanism for a direct contract with a foreign seller. Before signing, confirm with the local tax authority the certificate or verification for your case; do not categorically state that the Czech contract is valid, void or exempt. 14 15 5

For VAT, the car is fiscally 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 delivery takes place after more than six months; equality at either threshold remains in the new branch. The intra-Community acquisition of the new vehicle by this private individual is taxable in Romania at 21%. For the car exceeding both thresholds, no additional Romanian acquisition VAT normally arises, but the invoice depends on the seller and the normal or margin scheme. 16 17 18

If the registration applicant is the intra-Community buyer not registered for VAT, the file requires the ANAF certificate for VAT paid or not due. For the fiscally new vehicle, D301 and payment are dealt with before registration, at the latest by the applicable tax deadline. Foreign documents submitted to ANAF have authorised Romanian translations. The ANAF certificate is not the local tax certificate and is not the customs procedure for Switzerland. 19 17

A vehicle acquired abroad is declared to the local tax authority within 30 days from RAR’s issue of the CIV, not from the contract. The ownership document must then be entered for tax purposes for registration. 20 5

SPCRPCIV, temporary circulation and budget

The SPCRPCIV file at the domicile requires, as applicable, the tax-recorded ownership document, identity, CIV, fees, originals of Czech documents/plates, RCA in the owner/authorised holder’s name, the roadworthiness test and authenticity certification must all be valid at registration. The ANAF certificate appears only in the applicable intra-Community branch; some checks are electronic. 5 21 19 22

The Romanian temporary authorisation is issued in the owner’s name, requires RCA and permits circulation only in Romania. The normal duration is a maximum of 90 days, including cumulative shorter periods; without foreign registration documents, the special branch is a maximum of five days. 21 The separate 90-day limit from entry into the country for foreign plates, applicable to a Romanian resident only while the vehicle is insured, does not extend registration, plates, roadworthiness test or insurance that expires sooner. It does not run from the contract and does not validate transit. 23

On 10 September 2026, the certificate costs 49 lei and two type-A plates cost 52 lei: 101 lei for these elements only. From 15 September the certificate costs 76 lei, so they cost 128 lei if plates remain 26 lei each; the temporary authorisation costs 25 lei. RAR, RCA, transport, translations, Czech taxes and local tax remain unknown without the specific case. 22 24 25

Buyer checklist

Frequently asked questions

When is the car “new” for VAT, even if it has already been registered?

It is fiscally new if it has no more than 6,000 km OR if delivery takes place within no more than six months of first registration. It is used only when it has more than 6,000 km AND is delivered after more than six months. Exactly 6,000 km or exactly six months remains in the new branch. 16, 17

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

No. The ANAF certificate for the intra-Community buyer not registered for VAT confirms VAT payment or that it is not due. The local tax certificate concerns the buyer’s obligations to the local budget. For the fiscally new vehicle, D301 and payment must be settled before registration, by the applicable tax deadline. 14, 19, 17

Do the 30 days for the tax declaration start when the contract is signed?

No. For a vehicle acquired outside Romania, the deadline starts when RAR issues the CIV. The owner declares the vehicle to the competent local tax authority within 30 days from the CIV, and the ownership document must be registered in the tax records for the registration file. 20, 5

Can I drive from Czechia to Romania with Romanian red plates?

No. The Romanian temporary authorisation permits circulation only in Romania. The normal duration can reach 90 days, including cumulative shorter periods; if foreign registration documents for a previously registered vehicle are missing, the special branch is a maximum of five days. Valid RCA is mandatory. 21

Does an RAR Auto-Pass with no data prove the car has not had damage?

No. The negative statement shows only that the RAR register has no data and is issued free of charge. It does not confirm a clean or complete external history. When data exists, Auto-Pass costs 42 lei and is valid for 60 days; on a first direct import, the Czech seller does not automatically have the Romanian obligation to hand it over. 11, 12

Does Kontrola tachometru confirm actual mileage?

No. The service displays readings recorded at Czech STK and emissions inspections, which may not represent actual total mileage. Check the sequence against invoices, servicing, diagnostics and vehicle wear; every missing period remains unverified. 8

Is a CarAudit inspection available in Czechia and what does it guarantee?

Czechia appears in the published named coverage, but the specific location and date must be confirmed. The inspection describes the condition accessible at the time of inspection, subject to access, lift availability and lawful test conditions. It is not a civil-law guarantee and does not promise complete history, every test, transport, Romanian formalities or absence of future defects. 26, 27, 3

Independent verification before the deposit

For a car selected in Czechia, you can request an independent inspection before the deposit. CarAudit publishes a price of 239 EUR including VAT and technician travel, battery diagnostics at +179 EUR, and the report within 48 hours after the inspection, excluding weekends and public holidays. Czechia is in the named coverage, but confirm the specific location, date and access. The inspection covers up to 270 points depending on access to the vehicle, lift availability and lawful conditions for the test drive; it does not involve dismantling. Faults arising later are excluded, and the certificate is not a guarantee within the meaning of the Civil Code. The service does not promise complete history, every test for each VIN, transport, RAR/tax formalities, registration or a car without future defects. 26, 27, 3

Sources

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