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Importing a new car from the EU

A new car in exactly the configuration you want, often available straight from an EU dealer's stock. We handle communication with the dealer, the tax side and the entire import - turnkey.

In short

When brought into Croatia, a car counts as new if no more than 6 months have passed since its first registration or it has covered no more than 6,000 km. For a new car, 25% VAT is paid in Croatia. The car is therefore bought at the net price, or paid at the gross price with the seller's VAT refunded afterwards - so VAT is not paid twice. In addition to VAT, PPMV (special motor vehicle tax) is paid before registration.

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Who the service is for

  • For you if you want a brand-new or nearly new car in a specific configuration.
  • For you if the delivery time in Croatia is too long and a similar car is in stock in the EU.
  • For private buyers and companies, with payment in full or leasing.

Why buy a new car in the EU

Dealers in Germany, Austria and other member states have far more new cars in stock than the Croatian market - often in configurations that would have to be ordered in Croatia, with months of waiting. Cars intended for the German market also often come with richer equipment packages.

Importing a new car to order therefore makes sense when you are looking for a specific combination of engine, colour and equipment, or when the delivery time matters to you.

When is a car considered new?

For VAT purposes a car is "new" if no more than 6 months have passed since it was first put into service or it has covered no more than 6,000 km. One of the two conditions is enough.

To count as used, both conditions must be met: more than 6 months and more than 6,000 km. For example, a one-year-old car with 3,000 km counts as new, as does a 4-month-old car with 15,000 km.

VAT on a new car import - the most common costly mistake

For a new car, VAT is paid in Croatia (25%), whether you buy it as a private person or a company. The seller's VAT must therefore not remain paid in the end - otherwise you would pay VAT twice.

There are two ways: the car is bought at the net price, without the seller's VAT, or paid at the gross price and the seller's VAT is refunded afterwards, once it is proven that the car was shipped to Croatia. We agree which option suits the specific dealer before any payment and handle the whole procedure, including the tax refund.

Example: a new car from Germany
Net price of the car€50,000
German VAT (19%) - not paid or refunded€0
Croatian VAT (25%)€12,500
Price of the car incl. VAT, before PPMV€62,500

Buying from a dealer: specification and contract

We check the dealer, the exact specification of the car (equipment, colour, packages), the CoC documents and the factory warranty terms. We communicate in German or English, and you receive everything agreed in writing before any payment.

Homologation, PPMV and registration

A new car with European type approval goes through the conformity procedure in Croatia. This is followed by the customs declaration for the PPMV calculation, which depends on the price of the car and its CO₂ emissions. Electric cars are exempt from PPMV, and for plug-in hybrids PPMV is reduced depending on the electric range.

You can estimate PPMV yourself, and you get the exact calculation in our offer before purchase.

PPMV is preliminary until the decision of the Customs Administration. PPMV calculator →

Payment: in full or leasing

You can pay for a new car from the EU in full or finance it with a lease, as a private person or a company. You arrange the lease with the leasing company, which sets the terms according to your creditworthiness. We help with advice, recommend leasing companies if you wish and align the purchase abroad with the leasing terms.

How does it work?

  1. You send a link or tell us what you are looking for

    A link from Mobile.de, AutoScout24 or another platform. If you are still searching, describe the car, budget and equipment.

  2. We check the vehicle, the seller and the documents

    History and damage by VIN, documents, CO₂ and the dealership. We only work with verified dealerships.

  3. You receive our findings and an offer

    What we found, an estimate of the special motor vehicle tax (PPMV) and the total cost up to registration.

  4. We arrange the purchase and payment

    Price negotiation, contract review, payment in full or financing.

  5. Transport, homologation and paperwork

    Transport on an insured transporter, manufacturer certificate, homologation, customs declaration for PPMV, temporary plates.

  6. You pick up the car

    Handover of a vehicle ready for registration in Croatia.

What is included

Turnkey: you choose the car, we organise everything else.

Search and checks

  • Vehicle search
  • Vehicle check by VIN
  • Check for paid insurance damage claims
  • Check of vehicle documents
  • Vehicle history check
  • CO₂ check
  • Dealership check

Purchase and finance

  • Calculation of the special motor vehicle tax (PPMV)
  • Price negotiation in your interest
  • Preparation and review of the purchase contract
  • Financing
  • Bank fees and commissions

Transport and paperwork

  • Transport on an insured transporter
  • Manufacturer certificate
  • Homologation
  • Temporary plates
  • Parking ticket at the customs area
  • Customs declaration for PPMV
  • End-of-life vehicle fee

Related delivered vehicles

All delivered vehicles

FAQ

How many kilometres can a new car from the EU have?

A car counts as new if it has no more than 6,000 km or no more than 6 months have passed since its first registration. If either condition is met, VAT is paid in Croatia.

Is VAT paid twice when importing a new car?

No. 25% VAT is paid in Croatia, and the seller's VAT does not remain paid: the car is bought at the net price or paid at the gross price and that VAT is refunded afterwards. We handle the procedure, including the refund.

Is the factory warranty valid for a new car bought in Germany?

The manufacturer's factory warranty is generally valid throughout the EU, including Croatia. We check the warranty terms for the specific car with the dealer before purchase.

Can a new car from the EU be bought on lease?

Yes - as a private person or a company. You arrange the lease with a leasing company in Croatia, and we help with advice, recommend leasing companies and align the purchase from the dealer with the leasing terms.

Do you only work with customers from Međimurje?

No. We are based in Čakovec and arrange car imports for customers from all over Croatia - Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Varaždin and other cities.

We handle the whole process remotely - by phone, WhatsApp and e-mail: from sending the link and checking the car to the contract and payment. You do not have to come in person, not even to sign the contract.

You pick up the car in Čakovec, ready for registration.

Can you arrange the purchase of a brand-new car from the EU?

Yes. We communicate with the dealer, check the specification and documents and arrange the transport and import of the new car.

Buying a new car in another EU country is worthwhile when you are looking for a specific configuration, a car in stock or a shorter delivery time.

More about importing a new car

When is a car considered "new" for VAT purposes?

Under EU VAT rules a means of transport is considered new if it is supplied no more than six months after first entering into service or if it has covered no more than 6,000 km.

For new means of transport, VAT is generally charged in the member state into which the car is brought, not in the seller’s country. We check the tax treatment of every car before purchase.

All questions

Found the car you want to buy?

Send us the link and we will check what is possible.

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