How to register a car in Poland: documents, fees and deadlines
Short answer: Register a car you bring to Poland within 30 days at the county, city or district office, with OC insurance, a technical inspection certificate and about 160 zł in fees for a car.
If you bring a car to Poland, or buy one here, it has to be registered at a local office before you can drive it on the road. The rules differ depending on where the car comes from, but the steps are similar. This guide follows the government service pages on gov.pl and the Powroty portal, which were current on 7 October 2026.
The deadline: 30 days
If you bring a vehicle to Poland, you have 30 days to apply for its registration. For a vehicle from outside the EU, Powroty counts the 30 days from the moment the customs authority releases the vehicle for circulation. After this time you may not drive the car on public roads. The rules say plainly that you cannot drive a vehicle that is not registered, and you also cannot drive one without valid third-party liability insurance (OC) or a valid technical inspection.
Who can register the car
The owner registers the car. If there are co-owners, all of them should be present. A company vehicle is registered by the owner or an authorised representative. A person who was entrusted with a vehicle by a foreign person or company can also register it, with a document proving this. You can also use a proxy; ask the office how.
What to do first: insurance
Before you register, you must buy third-party liability insurance (OC) for the vehicle. gov.pl says this is the first step. A vehicle without valid OC cannot be driven on roads. Insurers sell OC online, so you can arrange it before you visit the office.
Documents to prepare
The gov.pl and Powroty pages list these documents for a vehicle brought from abroad:
- the application for vehicle registration (you can download it or fill it in at the office),
- a document proving you own the vehicle, such as a sales contract or a VAT invoice,
- the existing licence plates, or a statement that the vehicle has no plates or that the foreign authority requires the plates to be returned,
- confirmation of all fees paid,
- a certificate of a positive technical inspection from a vehicle inspection station,
- the registration certificate from the other country,
- proof of customs clearance, for a vehicle from outside the EU, which you obtain from the customs office.
Documents in a foreign language must be attached with a Polish translation made by a sworn translator or a Polish consul. gov.pl notes that you do not need to translate a registration certificate issued in an EU state to the extent that it contains the codes harmonised at EU level.
The office decides in the end what it needs. The head of the county (starosta) can ask for a different document than the ones above, so check your own office's website.
Where to register
You register at the transport department of the office for your permanent or temporary place of residence. That means the county office, the city office in a city with county rights, or the district office in Warsaw. You can submit the documents in person, by post, or online if your office has an electronic inbox and accepts such applications.
Fees
According to gov.pl and Powroty, the fees at the office are:
- 66.50 zł for the registration certificate and the set of legalisation marks,
- 13.50 zł for the temporary permit,
- licence plates: 80 zł for a car, 40 zł for a motorcycle, 30 zł for a moped, and 1,000 zł for personalised plates.
You can pay at the office cash desk or by bank transfer to the office's account. A technical inspection and the OC insurance are paid separately, and their prices depend on the station and the insurer.
Temporary registration, then permanent
At your first visit, the official registers the vehicle temporarily for 30 days. You receive a temporary permit and licence plates, which let you drive. During this time the office checks the vehicle data and the registration certificate is produced. Usually the temporary registration is done right away.
Within 30 calendar days the office registers the vehicle permanently and you get the proper documents. If the office has not finished in that time, go to the office and ask them to extend the temporary registration for another 14 days. If the temporary registration runs out and the vehicle is not yet registered permanently, you may not drive it. You must pick up the registration decision and certificate within 30 days of filing the application.
Refusal
An official can refuse to register the car, for example when documents are missing or you submitted a copy instead of an original. The decision is in writing, and you can appeal to the local government appeals board. The decision explains how.
Buying a car in Poland
The same principle applies when you buy a car on the Polish market: every purchased vehicle, new or used, has to be registered at the office. The gov.pl service has a separate path for this, so choose "bought in Poland" on the gov.pl registration page to see the documents for your case.
Tips for expats
Book or plan the technical inspection early, because the certificate must be positive. Buy OC before the visit. Take originals, not copies, since a copy can be a reason for refusal. Ask the office whether it takes applications online, because this can save a trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a car I bring to Poland?
30 days from bringing the vehicle to Poland, according to gov.pl. For a car from outside the EU, Powroty counts from release by customs.
Do I need insurance before registration?
Yes. gov.pl lists buying third-party liability insurance (OC) as the first step, before you submit the application.
How much does registration cost?
At the office, 66.50 zł for the registration certificate and legalisation marks, 13.50 zł for the temporary permit and 80 zł for car plates, a total of 160 zł for a car, not counting inspection and insurance.
Can I drive while waiting for the registration certificate?
Yes, with the temporary permit and the plates you get at the first visit. It is valid for 30 days and can be extended by 14 days.
Can someone register the car for me?
Yes, through a proxy. Ask the office how to submit the power of attorney.
