Shipping a Car from the UK to Europe After Brexit (2026)

Since January 2021 the UK is a third country for the EU. A UK car moving permanently to an EU country must be exported from the UK (HMRC export declaration) and imported into the EU (EU customs declaration, possible 10% duty and local VAT), then re-registered in that country.

We submit the export declaration on CDS, and you notify the DVLA of permanent export using the V5C export section (section 4 on the new-style V5C). The car can be driven over on UK plates for a short time while the import formalities are completed.

UK-built cars that meet the rules of origin enter the EU at 0% duty; others pay 10%. VAT is charged at the local rate — for example 21% in Spain, 20% in France, 19% in Germany and 22% in Italy.

If you are moving your normal residence to the EU and have owned and used the car for at least 6 months, you can usually claim transfer of residence relief, which removes duty and VAT.

Spain: ITV inspection, homologation (ficha técnica) and registration tax based on CO2.

France: certificate of conformity, quitus fiscal and carte grise via ANTS.

Germany: TÜV individual approval (Einzelabnahme) if needed, then registration at the local Zulassungsstelle.

Italy: MCTC inspection and registration via the PRA.

Right-hand-drive cars are allowed but headlights must be adjusted and some countries make local registration more expensive for RHD cars.

Options are driving it yourself on the ferry or Eurotunnel, an open or covered transporter, or a shared or sole container for longer routes such as Cyprus, Malta or Greece. Published rates start from £535 RoRo to Spain and £630 to Greece.