Registering a vehicle in Cyprus is essential if:
- You live in Cyprus and want to import a vehicle from abroad.
- You are moving to Cyprus and want to drive your own imported vehicle.
Registering a vehicle in Cyprus can be quite an ordeal.
In this guide we explain, step by step, how to register your vehicle and what documents you need.
How to register a car in Cyprus
As a general rule, all vehicles must be registered in Cyprus. In this article, we explain the particularities of importing a vehicle from abroad and the associated tax car in Cyprus.
Importing a vehicle into the country, whether for private or commercial use, will be exempt from paying customs duties, if it comes from another member state and they can prove it by presenting one of these documents:
- Document T2L or T2LF (issued by the customs service of the country of origin or through the supplier or transporter of the vehicle).
- The number plates and the original registration document.
If the vehicle is new, you will have to pay the corresponding VAT on arrival in the country, which will be 19% of the price of the vehicle.
If the vehicle is used or second-hand, it will not be necessary to pay VAT. A car is considered used if at least one of the following two conditions is met:
- That it has more than 6,000 kilometres on the clock.
- That it is more than 6 months old.
Once customs formalities have been completed, the Government of Cyprus recommends contacting the Department of Road Transport to complete the registration.
The contact email address provided is: [email protected]
You will have 30 days to register the vehicle from the moment you arrive in the country.
Necessary documentation
It is essential that, before starting the import process, you gather all the documents to speed up the process. In general, the documents they may require are:
- Valid ID
- Driving licence
- Vehicle documentation
- Contract of sale
- Certificate of Conformity (COC)
- T2L or T2LF document
- Original registration document (if applicable)
- Technical inspection certificate
- Proof of VAT payment
- Proof of insurance
In many cases, when it comes to a used vehicle, it no longer has a Certificate of Conformity (COC).
This document will be necessary to assure the authorities that the vehicle complies with European safety and emissions regulations.
Why is Vehicle Registration Important in Cyprus?
Registering a vehicle in Cyprus is essential for several reasons:
- To comply with Cypriot legal regulations.
- To help the authorities identify the vehicle, to be able to monitor it and to confirm that it complies with the country's legal regulations.
- To confirm that it complies with European safety and environmental regulations (with the Certificate of Conformity document).
- To ensure that the vehicle does not pose any danger on the road.
When it is NOT necessary to register the vehicle
If you plan to stay in the country for less than 6 months within a 12-month period, it will not be necessary to process your registration, provided that the vehicle belongs to an EU member country.
Nor will you have to pay customs duty, if it comes from an EU country, nor will you pay VAT.
Although it will not be necessary to register it, you will have to declare it in the Electronic Customs Import System.
You will need the following documents:
- CMA declaration.
- TL2 document or original registration certificate of the vehicle.
What does a Cypriot licence plate look like?
Cypriot number plates consist of 3 letters and 3 numbers.
Since Cyprus joined the European Union, the number plates have added the characteristic blue band on the left with the stars in a circle and the letters CY, identifying the country.
Although from 2004 to 2013, the rear plates were yellow, they are now white.
Conclusion
If you are thinking of importing a vehicle into Cyprus, either because you are moving to the country or because you are going to buy a vehicle abroad, it is essential to plan everything in advance.
To speed up the process and avoid mistakes, we recommend making a list of all the necessary steps and documents, or having this guide to hand.
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