How to Register a Car in the Netherlands as an Expat (2026)

The bill from the Belastingdienst was nearly €4,800. She had not budgeted for it. She had not even known it existed.

This guide exists so you don’t have that conversation with your partner at the kitchen table. Whether you are buying a car locally or importing one, here is everything you need to know to get a vehicle on Dutch roads — legally, affordably, and without too many surprises.

Before we get into cars, make sure your Dutch admin foundations are in place. You will need a BSN number and official address registration before any of this works. See our BSN registration guide and the complete guide to moving to the Netherlands if you are still getting settled.

💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026 — covers ABN, ING, Bunq, Wise, Revolut & 5 others by expat use case.

Two Routes: Buying Locally vs Importing

The first decision shapes everything else. Let’s be clear about what each path involves.

Buying a car in the Netherlands — from a dealer or private seller — is the simpler route. The vehicle is already Dutch-registered, has an APK (the Dutch MOT), and you are simply transferring ownership. No BPM calculation, no RDW import inspection.

Importing a car from abroad — whether from the UK, Germany, your home country, or anywhere else — means you are bringing a foreign-registered vehicle into the Dutch system. That triggers a full registration process: RDW inspection, BPM tax assessment, new licence plates, and sometimes an APK test.

Most expats who have been in the Netherlands a few years will tell you: unless you are deeply attached to a specific vehicle, buying locally is almost always cheaper once you factor in the tax.

Buying a Car in the Netherlands: What the Process Looks Like

From a Dealer

Dutch car dealers handle most of the paperwork digitally. When you buy from a recognised dealer:

1. You sign the purchase contract and provide your BSN and Dutch address.
2. The dealer registers the transfer with the RDW system directly.
3. You receive the kentekenbewijs (registration certificate) — a credit-card-sized document in two parts.
4. You arrange insurance before you drive away (more on this below).
5. Licence plates stay with the car in most cases.

The whole process can happen on the day of purchase.

From a Private Seller

Buying privately means a bit more involvement from you:

1. Check the car’s RDW history at rdw.nl — enter the licence plate and you’ll see the APK status, ownership history, and whether there are outstanding financial claims against the vehicle. Do not skip this step.
2. At the point of sale, both parties sign the koopovereenkomst (sales agreement).
3. The seller uses the tenaamstelling process — either online via Mijn RDW or at a RDW service point — to transfer the registration to your name.
4. You get your share of the kentekenbewijs and the transfer is registered within minutes online, or up to a day if done in person.
5. You must have insurance in place before driving the car.

If it runs out in two months, you will need to pay for a new one shortly after purchase. Factor that into your negotiation.

Importing a Car: The Full Process

This is where it gets more involved. Here is the sequence you need to follow.

Step 1: Get Your BSN and Address Registration Sorted

You cannot register anything in the Netherlands without these. If you are new, use our BSN planner tool to understand the timeline and what you need to book your appointment.

Step 2: Get a BPM Calculation First

Before you do anything else with an imported car, go to the Belastingdienst website and use their BPM calculator (or hire a specialist — more on that below). This tells you how much tax you owe before you can get Dutch licence plates.

BPM is charged on:

• Passenger cars (personenauto’s)
• Motorcycles (motorfietsen)
• Vans in some cases

Electric vehicles are currently exempt from BPM, which is one reason EVs have become so popular here. Hybrids get a partial exemption based on their emissions.

For a conventional petrol or diesel car, BPM is calculated on the CO2 emissions and depreciated value. The older the car, the lower the BPM (because the base value is lower), but it is still rarely zero.

Step 3: RDW Import Inspection

Before a foreign vehicle can receive Dutch registration, it must pass an RDW keuring (inspection). Book this at an RDW approval point — there are several across the country.

The inspector checks:

• Vehicle identification number (VIN/chassisnummer)
• That the vehicle matches its documentation
• Basic safety and lighting
• Odometer reading

This is not the same as an APK — it is a one-time identity and compliance check for the import. Cost: approximately €60–€90.

Step 4: Pay BPM Tax

Once the RDW has confirmed the vehicle’s identity, you submit your BPM declaration to the Belastingdienst. You can do this yourself through the tax authority’s portal, but most people use a BPM specialist — particularly for higher-value cars where getting the depreciation right can save you hundreds of euros.

You will need:

• RDW inspection report
• Foreign registration documents
• Proof of the vehicle’s age and mileage (to calculate depreciation correctly)
• Your BSN

Pay the BPM and you receive a confirmation. Without this, you cannot proceed.

Step 5: Register with the RDW

With the BPM payment confirmed and inspection passed, you register the vehicle with the RDW. You can do this at an RDW service point or, for some vehicles, online via Mijn RDW.

You’ll need your DigiD for online processes — if you haven’t set that up yet, the DigiD guide for expats walks you through it.

Documents required:

• Foreign registration certificate
• BPM payment confirmation
• RDW inspection report
• Your ID and BSN
• Proof of insurance

Step 6: Get Dutch Licence Plates

After registration, you can purchase Dutch licence plates from an RDW-recognised plate dealer (many garages and car accessory shops do this). You present your kentekenbewijs and they make your plates on the spot. Cost: roughly €15–€25 for a set.

Step 7: APK Inspection (If Required)

New cars from the EU and cars with a valid European equivalent of the APK may be exempt from an immediate APK. But in many cases — particularly UK imports post-Brexit — you will need a Dutch APK before you can drive legally.

APK: The Dutch Vehicle Inspection

The APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring) is the Netherlands’ mandatory roadworthiness test, equivalent to the UK’s MOT or Germany’s TÜV.

Frequency

What Is Checked

• Brakes
• Lights and indicators
• Tyres (depth minimum 1.6mm)
• Steering
• Exhaust emissions
• Bodywork (no sharp edges, structural rust)
• Windscreen condition
• Fuel system

Cost

An APK typically costs €25–€60 depending on the garage. Larger vehicles cost more. Most garages advertise APK prices prominently — it’s a competitive market.

If your car fails, you get a list of repairs needed. Some minor failures (called “gebreken”) can be repaired and re-inspected the same day. Major failures mean the car cannot legally be driven until repaired.

Booking

Any RDW-recognised garage can perform an APK. You can search on rdw.nl for approved locations near you. Most are walk-in or same-week appointments.

BPM Tax: A Deeper Look

Because this catches so many expats off guard, it’s worth spending more time here.

BPM stands for belasting van personenauto’s en motorrijwielen — tax on passenger cars and motorcycles. It was originally charged at the point of first registration for new cars in the Netherlands, which is why Dutch new car prices always include BPM in the sticker price.

When you import a used car, you pay BPM based on what a comparable Dutch-registered car of the same type and age would owe — minus a depreciation factor.

Calculating Depreciation

The Belastingdienst uses two methods:

1. Fixed depreciation table — a standard percentage based on age and mileage.
2. Individualised valuation (taxatierapport) — a certified appraiser values your specific car. If your car has higher-than-average depreciation (lots of mileage, minor damage), this can significantly reduce your BPM.

For cars worth more than a few thousand euros, the taxatierapport is almost always worth paying for (typically €150–€300).

BPM for Electric Vehicles

Currently zero. The Dutch government has used BPM exemption as a major incentive to push EV uptake. However, policy can change — check the current rules on belastingdienst.nl when planning your import, as exemptions have been adjusted in previous years.

Timeline for Payment

You must declare and pay BPM within one month of the car entering the Netherlands. After that, penalties apply.

Car Insurance: What You Need

Third-party liability insurance — WA-verzekering (Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid) — is the legal minimum. This covers damage you cause to other people and their property. It does not cover your own car.

Three levels to know:

Getting Insured as an Expat

Most Dutch insurers (Centraal Beheer, Interpolis, ANWB, InShared) will insure expats with a valid EU licence or an exchangeable foreign licence. You will need:

• Your BSN
• Dutch home address
• Licence details
• Vehicle details (kenteken)

If you have a non-EU licence and have not yet exchanged it, getting insurance can be trickier. Some specialist expat insurers deal with this — it’s worth comparing online via aggregators like Independer or Pricewise.

Your no-claims history from your home country may be transferable, which can reduce your premium. Ask your insurer about this explicitly — they won’t always raise it themselves.

You cannot get Dutch licence plates or complete the RDW registration without proof of insurance. So arrange this before the RDW appointment.

Cost Breakdown: What to Budget

Here is a realistic view of the costs involved in registering an imported car. Buying locally skips the BPM and import inspection rows.

For buying a car locally:

Keep in mind ongoing costs too. Road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting) in the Netherlands is one of the highest in Europe for petrol and diesel vehicles. For a typical petrol family car, expect €80–€200 per month in road tax alone. This is why so many expats who do the maths end up choosing an electric vehicle or simply using public transport and car-sharing instead.

For a broader view of what things cost here, see our cost of living guide for the Netherlands.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Do the BPM calculation before you commit to importing

Calculate and verify the BPM before committing. A car that looks like a bargain abroad may cost more than an equivalent Dutch-registered vehicle once BPM and registration costs are included.

Check the RDW history before buying privately

Visit rdw.nl, enter the licence plate, and check: Is the APK valid? Are there any recall notices? Any outstanding debts against the vehicle (which can make the sale legally complicated)? Takes five minutes and can save enormous headaches.

Don’t drive uninsured even for a short distance

Dutch enforcement cameras are everywhere. An uninsured vehicle will be flagged within moments of entering a main road. The fine is substantial, and if you cause an accident uninsured, you bear personal liability.

Sort your DigiD early

The RDW’s online services — including Mijn RDW for registration and transfers — require DigiD. If you are new to the Netherlands, set this up as soon as your BSN arrives. There can be a two-week wait for the activation letter. See our DigiD guide for how to do this.

UK imports post-Brexit have extra steps

Since the UK left the EU, UK-registered vehicles are treated as third-country imports. That means a full BPM calculation and RDW import inspection, even if the car was originally built in Germany. The process is the same as any other non-EU import — just be aware it is no longer the simpler EU procedure.

Budget for road tax from day one

Many expats set up their Dutch bank account shortly before buying a car — road tax is collected directly by the Belastingdienst and will arrive as a quarterly or annual bill. Make sure your banking is sorted. Our best bank accounts for expats guide covers the main options if you are still getting set up.

Consider whether you actually need a car

The Registration at a Glance

Buying locally: RDW transfer → insurance → drive.

Importing: BPM calculation → pay BPM → RDW import inspection → RDW registration → insurance → licence plates → APK (if needed) → drive.

The Dutch system is thorough and, once you understand it, logical. The main pitfall is not knowing about BPM before you start. Everything else is process.

One practical tip before you buy anything: if you are considering a used car from a private seller, book an APK check first — it costs around €30 and takes an hour. A car that fails will need repairs before it can legally be driven, and the seller is under no obligation to cover that cost once you have signed. Thirty euros spent before you commit can save you from a bill ten times larger after.

For questions around taxes more broadly — including how car costs interact with income tax and the 30% ruling — the Dutch tax system guide for expats is worth reading before you make any large financial decisions here.

Selling Your Car and Deregistering It

When you sell your car in the Netherlands or leave the country, you need to properly deregister it with the RDW to stop road tax and insurance obligations.

Selling to a Dutch buyer:

1. Complete the ownership transfer via Mijn RDW (requires DigiD) — both buyer and seller must do this
2. Notify your insurer on the same day as the transfer
3. Keep a copy of the transfer confirmation — you may need it to prove you are no longer liable for the vehicle

Exporting from the Netherlands: If you are taking your car to another country, you need an “exportkentekenbewijsdeel IA” from the RDW — this is the export registration document. The vehicle is then deregistered from the Dutch system. At the destination country, you will need to re-register according to that country’s rules.

What if you sell but the buyer does not complete the transfer? This is a problem. If the buyer drives the car and gets a fine, causes an accident, or runs up road tax arrears under your registration, you are the registered owner. Always complete the RDW transfer on the day of sale. Do not hand over keys and payment and assume the buyer will sort it later.

Periodic maintenance reminder: Dutch cars require an APK (MOT equivalent) every two years for vehicles up to 4 years old, and annually after that. The APK is done by a certified garage (you will see “APK-keurstation” signs). Missing an APK or driving with a failed APK invalidates your insurance. Keep track of your APK due date — it is on the registration documents and the RDW website.

Should Expats Own a Car in the Netherlands?

Before going through the registration process, it is worth asking whether you actually need a car. The Netherlands has one of the best public transport networks in the world, and most major cities are easily liveable without a car:

Public transport: NS trains connect all major cities with frequent services. Local buses, trams, and metros cover urban areas. The OV-chipkaart (public transport card) works on all systems. For an expat living in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, or The Hague and working in the same city, a car is an active inconvenience rather than an advantage — parking costs, traffic, and the cycling infrastructure all favour two wheels over four.

When a car makes sense:

• You live in a rural or suburban area not well-served by public transport
• You have young children and need to transport them to multiple locations efficiently
• Your work involves significant regional travel outside the public transport network
• You have specific mobility needs
• You regularly need to transport large items

Costs of car ownership in the Netherlands: Beyond the purchase price, budget for:

• Motorrijtuigenbelasting (motor vehicle tax): typically €100–€350/month depending on weight and fuel type. Electric vehicles pay no MRB until 2026 (then a reduced rate).
• WA (liability) insurance: approximately €40–€80/month
• All-risk insurance: approximately €80–€180/month
• Fuel: around €1.90–€2.10/litre for petrol (benzine), €1.60–€1.80 for diesel (2026)
• APK every 1–2 years: approximately €50–€80
• Parking in major cities: €3–€8/hour or €150–€300/month for a parking permit

For many expats in the Randstad, a combination of cycling and public transport is cheaper, faster for daily commuting, and significantly less stressful than car ownership. The NS Business Card (if your employer provides one) covers all public transport in the Netherlands. The decision is genuinely worth calculating before you register a car.

Try Wise

Also compare car insurance options for your newly registered vehicle. Dutch comparison platforms such as Independer and Geld.nl cover the mainstream insurers, and car insurance in the Netherlands for expats explains what WA, WA+ and allrisk actually pay out.

A consumer collective is the third route. UnitedConsumers is not an insurer: it is a Dutch consumer collective that buys as a group and mediates to Allianz Direct, a.s.r., Avéro, Bovemij, Nationale-Nederlanden, ZERO and Rhion, on WA, WA beperkt casco and WA casco (allrisk). Schadevrije jaren count towards the premium, members get a free Pluspakket with an annual premium check, a verhaalservice and a fuel card, and the September 2026 promotion was 20% off the premium, running 1 to 30 September 2026 — a temporary action, so check whether it still applies (unitedconsumers.com/autoverzekering, checked 18 September 2026). Seven insurers is not the whole market, so use it next to a comparison run rather than instead of one. The site, the quote flow and the polisvoorwaarden are entirely in Dutch; we found no English-language information on it on 18 September 2026.

Check UnitedConsumers →