Importing a car from Italy. Everything you need to know

Many people decide to buy a car abroad. All this due to the fact that residents of rich countries more often replace their vehicles and take better care of them without skimping on funds, although this does not apply to all nations. However, while looking for the perfect car, you should take into account several factors. You must not forget about the necessary formalities that await you after the purchase. Is it difficult to import a car from Italy?

 

*The information given in the article concerns only the Polish regulations.

 

The trip itself, regardless of whether it is completed by bringing a car from sunny Italy, will be a great experience. Especially, for the connoisseurs of Italian architecture, cuisine and, of course, the automotive industry.

 

What should you pay attention to when selecting a car from Italy?

 

 

It is usually confirmed by a registration review, which should be performed regularly. In addition to the technical condition, you should also pay attention to such issues as:

• mileage,
• accident history,
• number of owners,
• the manufacture year,
• temporary deregistration,
• MTPL insurance,
• the car’s legal status.

Buyers usually look for cars in good condition that have been used for a short period of time. Second-hand vehicles are much cheaper than copies straight from the showroom, and at the same time they can serve the new owner correctly for years to come. However, in order to become an owner of an Italian car, it is necessary to complete certain formalities and obtain specific documents. That’s it for the theory. From a practical point of view, you should first learn the characteristics of a given market – in this case the Italian one, the attitude of the Italians themselves to their cars. After years, it is the concern of the previous owner/owners (or its lack) that will most affect the condition of the second-hand car purchased on the Apennine Peninsula.

 Characteristics of the Italian market

Of course, in importing an Italian car, an extensive network of motorways – of course the toll ones – is quite helpful, which speeds up the movement of cars across the country. Motorway costs must be included before departure, they can be the lion’s share of all logistics – you can find more information about this in the article on toll roads and motorways in Europe.

 

 

Italian cars are quite popular, in 2022 more than 17.500 vehicles from Italy were imported to Poland, which puts Italy in sixth place in terms of the number of imported vehicles. As it is not difficult to guess, Italians love all Fiat products, they have great affection for all their models – especially those produced in their home factories. Of course, you will also find cars from other manufacturers such as Mercedes, BMW or Volvo. However, it is clear on the streets and highways that Italian automotive products are the dominant force. The bodywork that Italians most often choose is a hatchback – especially in cities, with historic narrow buildings, drivers like small, urban models that are easy to park. In addition, you should be aware of a certain issue.

 

 

Italians are very fond of simple but stylish cars. In most cases, the gearbox they are equipped with is a manual structure – in city centers, they routinely leave cars in gear, which allows other drivers to push them if necessary. In many regions, the model that enjoys great recognition is also known in our country Panda, also a variant of the first generation. In the Italian province, you can easily find Fiat models still fit for everyday driving, which disappeared from Polish streets years ago.

Another aspect characteristic of Italian cars is the condition of the body – and it is not about the lack of scratches or aesthetics, but about corrosion. Due to climatic conditions, especially in central and southern Italy, you will have no problem finding a car without even a spot of corrosion. While older cars are poorly equipped, modern models leave the showrooms with a high standard of equipment. It is extremely difficult to find a copy without air conditioning and other additions in the field of comfort affecting driving safety.

 

Vehicle history

Each vehicle has a specific history. Not always a more expensive car is a guarantee of excellent technical condition and the absence of a turbulent past. For this reason, before deciding on a given copy, you should check VIN and learn about its vehicle history, for example using the AutoDNA report. This can also be done online on the office’s website, via a trusted profile. This is a convenient solution when you use the offer of car exchanges in Italy or offers of private owners. For this reason, you should ask the seller to provide these numbers at the very beginning. In Italy, contact with the seller will not be a major problem, in large cities most people communicate in English to some extent. Thanks to this, it is also possible for them to communicate with buyers from abroad. When planning to buy a car from a company or from a private person in Italy, you should not forget about the VIN number and getting as much information as possible before going on a trip. Extensive photographic and service documentation is be a huge advantage. A dishonest seller, as everywhere, will wriggle from providing such detailed car data. Remember that Italian cars feature also often carelessly performed paint repairs. Professional services are expensive, which is why many drivers try to do ad hoc repairs on their own.

 

Where to look for an Italian car?

Due to the length of Italy and the high costs associated with moving around it, it is worth selecting the copies you are interested in before leaving for the trip. The search can be conducted on the websites of authorized car dealerships – selling verified used vehicles or, of course, on numerous auction portals. You can choose from, among others:

• https://www.automobile.it/
• https://www.autouncle.it/ – Polish version available
• https://www.bakeca.it/annunci/auto/
• https://www.quattroruote.it/auto-usate/
• https://www.autouncle.it/ – Polish version available
• https://www.subito.it/
• https://www.autosupermarket.it/it

Social media groups are also an option for those who are persistent and know the Italian language, where you can often find really phenomenal copies.

MTPL insurance

Every vehicle must have a valid MTPL insurance. In the case of cars from a dealer, this is usually a temporary policy, so it should be replaced with a standard variant immediately after purchase. Driving without an MTPL insurance is associated with high risks and high penalties that cannot be avoided. When planning to drive the purchased car to the country, you should also keep in mind compulsory insurance, as a possible inspection by the Italian services might end with an acute fine payable on the spot – these are large amounts amounting to hundreds of euros.

 

Owners of Italian cars

An Italian car may have more than one owner – just like in other countries. All owners must be present during the transaction to sign the sale and purchase agreement. For this reason, you should make sure in advance how many owners there are of a particular vehicle before the inspection – keep in mind the Italian approach to punctuality and keeping their word, gathering several owners at one time can be a breakneck task. Otherwise, it may turn out that the transaction is invalid.

 

The matter of unregistering the car

An Italian car can also be unregistered, making it impossible to import it in a standard way. In this case, it must be transported only on a tow truck. You need to make sure about this in time to be able to organize such a vehicle and the help of professionals.

 

How to import an Italian car?

In order to use an Italian car, it is necessary to organize the required documents. Without them, it is impossible to register a vehicle in Poland. It is also necessary to pay specific fees, which sometimes amount to several thousand zlotys.

 

 

 

Importing a car by yourself

Many people decide to import an Italian car on their own. This is a good solution but remember to complete the necessary formalities. When visiting the vehicle owner, you need to obtain documents such as:

• vehicle registration book,
• approval of compliance with the guidelines of the European Commission,
• purchase and sale agreement
• vehicle card (if issued).
• current insurance (not necessary if vehicle is unregistered)
• certificate of passing the technical examination

 

How to bring Italian cars?

In order to use a car, the necessary documents must be organised. Without them, the vehicle cannot be registered in country. Also, specific fees must be paid, which sometimes amount to several thousand. When purchasing a car, the seller should also have a vehicle registration certificate, the so-called Carta di circolazione.

 

Importing a car from Italy yourself

Many people decide to bring an Italian car on their own. It is a good solution, but you should remember to complete the necessary formalities. When visiting the vehicle owner, you need to obtain documents such as:

• the registration certificate,
• the certificate of compliance with the European Commission guidelines,
• a sales contract,
• the vehicle card (if issued).

As for the contract, the best solution is to draw it up in at least two language versions. Our native language and Italian will work well, but English may be practical too. If the car has already been registered in our country, a “sworn translation” (ie certified by a judicial office) must also be attached: the translator must submit an affidavit in front of the official along with a € 16 revenue stamp.

If you want to drive the car to country, temporary plates must be obtained. They are valid for several days. If you need a longer time, you can arrange export plates with Italian authorities. Then, you will need:

• a copy of the registration document,
• an export permit,
• proof of ownership,
• a copy of your identity card,
• a payment receipt,
• an export plates application.

With export plates you can travel all over Europe, so you can easily cross all countries on the way in your new Italian car.

 

 

The best solution is to draw the agreement up in at least two language versions. Polish and Italian will work well, but betting on English will also make it easier. Ready-made forms can be easily found on the Internet.

If you want to return to Poland by car on your own, it is necessary to purchase temporary plates. They are valid for a few days. If you are interested in a longer period of time, you can get export plates at an Italian office. The cost of export plates together with several days of insurance amounts to EUR 200. Then you will need:

• a copy of the vehicle registration book,
• export permit,
• certificate of ownership,
• a copy of your identity card,
• proof of payment,
• application for export plates or temporary registration plates

 

 

Importing a car via an agent

However, it is not always possible to import a car on your own. Once the vehicle has been unregistered, it is not allowed to be driven on Italian streets. The only option then is to use the help of companies that deliver the car on a tow truck. In this way, the cost of fuel disappears, but you have to pay up to several thousand zlotys for such an operation. Usually, specialists look at the car on the spot, make transactions and bring it directly on a tow truck Choosing an intermediary if you want to bring a car also has other advantages, a visit to the Italian office becomes their duty along with all the formalities to be done. What’s more, if you want to import a car – a specific model and version is also not a problem, you can easily find a specialized company that will bring one on request.

There is also the option of purchasing vehicles from a dealer who has already imported them earlier. Such cars usually have temporary MTPL insurance. The seller should provide the new owner with the same documents as when buying a car directly from an Italian. Remember, however, that buying a car already brought into the country involves some risk. Contrary to appearances, cars in Italy are not cheaper, units kept in impeccable condition are often even more expensive than on the Polish market. As always, price bargains result from certain visual defects or mechanical problems, the removal of which in Italy is simply very expensive – hence the bargain. For this prosaic reason, before leaving for the final inspection, it is worth asking the seller for accurate photos of the car from different angles. For the Italian, small scraches are not a problem.

 

Driving an Italian car back to the country

Export license plates allow for trouble-free entry of a car from Italy to Poland, but you should immediately register the car with the Polish office. You have 30 days to do so. You must also take into account the excise duty, which you must pay within 14 days of importing the car. Confirmation of payment of such a fee will also be necessary when registering the vehicle.

 However, before you get to the country, you have to get prepared for a long journey. Remember that from the capital of Italy, Rome, to central Poland, you are separated by a distance of over 1,700 kilometers, and an expedition to the very south of the country is already an expedition exceeding 2,200 kilometers and more. Beautifully preserved cars can be found in the sunny south, but importing cars from these areas is associated with a considerable cost of fuel as well as toll motorways – in Italy there are no vignettes, the payments are done at gates.

Registration of an Italian car in Poland – step by step

Cars imported from Italy must of course be registered in Poland. For this purpose, it is necessary to organize specific documents and pay certain fees. This should be done in the communication department appropriate to your place of residence – one of the largest is the excise tax paid to the tax office.

 

Documents needed to register an Italian car

After importing the vehicle from Italy, you have 30 days to register it in Poland. You can drive on the temporary registration certificate for a short time, and then you need to have a Polish, permanent document issued. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide a complete application with attachments. These include:

• contract or invoice issued when buying a car,
• confirmation of the first technical examination in Poland,
• confirmation of payment of registration fees.
• confirmation of payment of excise duty,
• proof of a car from Italy.

Don’t forget about the issue of translating the indicated documents. This should be done early enough to shorten the whole process as much as possible. In this matter, the communication departments freely interpret the current regulations. In some offices, translations are not required at all, while other institutions expect a sworn translation of each document.

In theory, excise duty is calculated on the amount entered on the contract or invoice. Of course, the rate depends on the engine capacity of the vehicle, as is always the case. However, it is not worth looking for savings here and deliberately underestimating the value of the purchased car – the tax office will gladly undermine such a declaration by ordering the payment of excise duty on the market value. When buying a significantly less valuable copy, you must write down in the contract its defects that decided about such a poor value.

 

Costs of car registration

After purchasing the car, you should go to the local communication department and complete the required formalities. This also involves the payment of a fee. The individual costs are as follows:

• legalization signs and a windshield sticker – PLN 85,
• time permit – PLN 13.50,
• license plates – PLN 80,
• vehicle card – PLN 75,
• vehicle registration fee – PLN 0.50,

You should also go to the office with translations of the necessary documents and a complete application. Currently, documents can also be delivered by post or online in some places.

 

Translating the documents

The Italian vehicle registration book is a document originating from the European Union, so it does not need to be translated in accordance with applicable law. However, it is different in the case of a purchase and sale agreement. Then you should use the help of a sworn translator. It is also necessary to translate any annotations added by officials.

 

Technical review of the vehicle

Every Italian car should have a valid technical inspection. However, some offices do not accept entries from Italy, which is why it is often necessary to carry out such a check after arriving in Poland. Its confirmation should be included in the application submitted to the communication office.

 

How to check an Italian car?

Before making a decision about choosing a car, you should carefully check its history. This can be done completely without leaving the house. The VIN number and license plate number provided by the current car owner will then be required. There is an option to check the necessary information yourself, but if you want to be sure about its exact condition, it is a good idea to use reports.

autoDNA offers creating a comprehensive report that presents basic information about the vehicle, vehicle history and additional data – including recorded damage from the past. This is a convenient solution for people who want to get all the necessary information about a given vehicle without having to browse the offices’ websites themselves. Such a report can help you make a decision about buying an Italian car (and more). Remember – check VIN before buying a vehicle, it is an important element of a transparent vehicle purchase-sale transaction.

 

Is it worth buying an Italian car?

The Italian automotive market is very popular among Poles. For this reason, as many as 17.500 vehicles are imported from sunny Italy every year. These are usually well-maintained cars, which is why they are of interest to people who are looking for cars in excellent technical condition and, above all, free from corrosion. The choice is quite large, and Poles can browse the offers on the Internet or use the help of intermediaries. Thanks to this, you do not have to go to Italy right away to get your dream car.

Most formalities can be done remotely, and if necessary, you can hire companies that can bring the selected car. This is a great choice for people looking for a good car straight from Italy. However, there is always some risk.

 

 

 

Also read about import:

1. a car from Germany
2. a car France
3. a car from UK
4. a car from the Netherlands
5. a car from Belgium
6. a Danish car
7. a Swedish car
8. Ukrainian car