The registration process step by step
Registering a foreign vehicle takes seven steps. With complete papers and a priority slot the whole thing can be done in a day; the bottleneck is always the inspection slot.
Which documents are needed for registration?
The registry office is the last stop in the process — you can only arrive there with a complete file. The following originals are indispensable.
- Original foreign registration certificate
- Vehicle title (Fahrzeugbrief, Typenschein, Osvedčenie)
- Bilingual sales contract or the original foreign invoice
- The owner’s ID card, address card and tax card
- For a company, a company extract no older than 30 days and a specimen signature
- Valid technical data sheet or the registration inspection papers
- Decision on the completed vehicle identity check
- Tax office certificate of the registration tax paid
- Proof of the motor liability policy taken out
- Proof that the transfer duty has been paid
Bilingual sales and gift contracts in more than 30 language pairs in our shop can also be obtained, delivered instantly by e-mail.
Registering a foreign car in 2026: the full cost list
The total official cost in August 2026 of a 90 kW, 1600 cm³, Euro 6 passenger car first registered in June 2021 155.955 Ft, if it has a valid foreign inspection. Without it 202.155 Ft.
These are basic official fees. On top come our service fee and, for a priority case, its fee.
The official cost of a 150 kW, 2023 plug-in hybrid 342.050 Ft, whereas the same car as a fully electric one 94.125 Ft. Only electric cars are still exempt from the registration tax and the duty.
Important for plug-in hybrids: Since September 2024 a new plug-in hybrid can no longer get a green plate. Those who already have one, until 30 November 2026 may still use it — after that it must be replaced with a white one at a government office, at your own cost.
There are two options:
- New plate number — 18,060 Ft, once: you hand in the old one and take the new one straight away.
- Keeping the current number — 16,605 Ft, but twice over: production can take up to 2 weeks.
Exemption from vehicle and company car tax depends on the classification, not the plate colour — it can survive the swap.
Licence plate replacement and prices 2026
Replacing a damaged or lost licence plate in 2026 16.605 Ft — remanufacturing one plate. Many think two new plates are cheaper, because the pair is “only” 11,475 Ft. They are not: with new plates the registration mark changes, so a new registration certificate is also needed (+6,000 Ft), making 17,475 Ft in total.
What is the difference between a personalised and a bespoke plate? With a personalised plate you choose an available character combination within the standard plate format. With a bespoke plate the design of the plate itself is individual — it is made to the wording given by the applicant, not in the standard format.
- When replacing a damaged plate, the damaged one must be handed in.
- From the same plate number only once another one can be requested.
- For motorcycles and trailers remanufacture cannot be requested, if the original plate is missing.
- The licence plate is owned by the road transport registration authority.
While the new plate is made, the registry office issues a certificate that valid for 30 days — below that, one plate is enough to drive.
The personalised and the bespoke licence plate it attaches to the person entitled, not to the vehicle. If you sell the car and want to keep the plate, transferring it must be requested in a separate procedure, which is chargeable again. So the fee of 151,810 or 587,250 Ft is not a one-off investment — every change of vehicle needs fresh administration.
Taking out compulsory insurance on the VIN
For a foreign car, motor liability cover to the VIN must be taken out on the chassis number, as there is no Hungarian plate yet. The policy must already be presented at the registry office. Once the new plate is issued, notify the insurer.
If the policy has no plate attached, the insurer usually can be cancelled within a week the policy — so timing matters. Do not take it out weeks before the government office visit.
As a preferred broker partner we pick the best offer from 30 insurers. As part of our full-service registration package, insurance advice and taking out the policy are free of charge.
Picks the best offer for you from 30 insurers, with free advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does registration cost in total?
For an average five-year-old, 90 kW passenger car, the basic official fee is 150,000 – 210,000 Ft. Our fee comes on top of that, plus the priority fee if the case is expedited. The basic official cost is worked out by the calculator shows it; the full quote we give by phone.
How much is payable for an electric car?
No registration tax and no duty. The documents, the plate and the identity check still apply, though — around 47,000 Ft in total, plus the registration procedure.
Is a plug-in hybrid exempt from registration tax?
No. Since 1 March 2025, 5P and 5N vehicles also pay registration tax and duty. Since September 2024 a new PHEV cannot even get a green plate — anyone who already has one may use it until 30 November 2026, after which it must be changed to white at a government office at their own cost (16,605–18,060 Ft).
What is a vehicle identity check and is it mandatory?
Yes, it is mandatory at the first domestic registration of a vehicle from abroad. It is an official check confirming that the factory data — chassis number, engine number — are genuine and that ownership is lawful. The certificate is valid for 60 days.
What is a CoC and will I need one?
The manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. For an EU import it is generally not required if the foreign registration certificate contains all technical data. For electric, hybrid and American vehicles it is needed. Order a CoC →
What happens if something is missing from the documents?
The most common gap is the second part of the foreign registration certificate (the title) — without it the authority may refuse to issue the plate. Origin verification must then be requested, which means an official fee of 14,715 Ft and several weeks. In certain cases the document can be replaced, which can take up to 2–3 months: a fee of 29,990 Ft comes on top of the official payment. There is no guarantee — replacement is only possible if the car is in order in the foreign country: not pledged, not wanted.
Is registration in one day possible?
Yes, with a valid foreign inspection and complete papers. The bottleneck is the inspection slot: 2–3 months as a private individual, days through our contracted partners. Priority appointment →
When should I take out the insurance?
You do not take it out. Arranging the liability and comprehensive cover is part of the service: our company is a broker, we send you a table along with the appointment, you reply to it, and we conclude the policies at the right moment. The policy is taken out on the chassis number, immediately before the government-office administration — if it is created too early and no plate follows, the insurer may cancel it within a week. That is why we do not let the policy be taken out elsewhere.