Temporary registration certificate in Poland

What is a Temporary Registration Certificate?

The temporary technical registration certificate in Poland is a document that records comprehensive information about the vehicle and all its owners. It helps uniquely identify the car: it contains details on the make, model, year of manufacture, technical specifications, equipment, registration history, and road incident records. The certificate itself does not confer ownership rights.

Deciding to buy a car in Poland can be advantageous for foreigners. Owning your own vehicle is very convenient, but after purchase, you must register the vehicle. This is a time-consuming process that requires familiarity with applicable regulations.

The main question when buying a car is: can a foreigner register a vehicle in Poland? The answer is yes, but there are a few key considerations, which we’ll outline below.

Types of Vehicle Registration in Poland

Poland recognizes two types of vehicle registration:

Permanent Registration

This type of registration is for owners planning to use their car within Poland and the European Union. Owners who intend to operate a Polish-registered car in Belarus, Ukraine, or Russia must obtain permanent registration.

Temporary Registration

Temporary registration applies to vehicles whose owners plan to use the vehicle outside Poland. For example, if you buy a car in Poland but will drive it in your home country, you need temporary registration and receive red temporary plates valid for 30 days – the exact period you have to leave Poland.

Differences Between Temporary and Permanent Documents

The temporary registration certificate is a document confirming vehicle registration in Poland for a limited period, allowing legal use of the car until the permanent certificate is issued.

• Validity Period: Temporary certificates have a limited validity (usually up to 30 days, with possible extension), while permanent certificates remain valid until the vehicle is deregistered.
• Information Scope: Temporary certificates contain a limited set of information compared to permanent ones.
• Appearance: They bear distinctive markings indicating their temporary nature.

Additional Facts About Registration Documents

1. Temporary certificates are issued for 30 days.
2. Permanent certificates take 7–14 days to prepare.
3. The vehicle card (Karta Pojazdu) is returned with the permanent certificate.
4. Temporary certificates can be used abroad, provided you return before expiry.
5. To collect the permanent certificate, you must surrender the temporary one.
6. In case of loss of the temporary certificate, a written explanation is required; after approval, a permanent certificate is issued.
7. Since February 2022, you can waive the temporary certificate at re-registration; the permanent certificate will bear the registration date.
8. Since October 2018, the electronic CEPiK database is in effect; documents are verified online without the need for paper certificates.
9. The address in the permanent certificate must match that in the temporary one; if changed, the certificate will be updated.
10. The temporary certificate is equivalent to the permanent one, differing only in validity period.

How Can a Foreigner Obtain a Temporary Certificate?

A foreigner can obtain a temporary registration certificate if they meet certain conditions and provide the necessary documents. The procedure is similar to obtaining a permanent certificate but simplified regarding the validity period.

Required Documents

• Vehicle registration application – filled out on-site or in advance.
• Proof of vehicle ownership – purchase agreement, VAT invoice, inheritance certificate, exchange/donation contract, or life annuity agreement. The document must include all owners and be translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
• Identity document – passport or another ID.
• Proof of temporary residence in Poland – visa or residence card.
• Certified copy of the vehicle’s conformity certificate (homologation) – confirms compliance with EU standards (not always required).
• Proof of registration fee payment – typically lower for temporary registration than for permanent.
• Proof of mandatory third-party liability insurance (OC).
• Technical inspection certificate (if required).
• Registration plates (if already issued).
• Customs clearance documents (for vehicles imported from outside the EU).

Upon submission of documents, you receive a temporary certificate valid for 30 days, and within 1–3 weeks, you get the permanent one.

Who Issues Registration Certificates?

Temporary certificates are issued by the stationary service point at the local Voivodeship Office (Wydział Komunikacji) or authorized bureaus.

Vehicle Registration Procedure

1. Gather all required documents – ensure they are valid and correctly completed.
2. Schedule an appointment online or take a queue number on-site.
3. Submit the application and documents at the office.
4. Pay the registration fee at the office cashier.
5. Collect the temporary certificate – usually within a few days.

Vehicle Insurance

In Poland, third-party liability insurance (OC) is mandatory, even if the vehicle is not used. The policy must be taken out from the moment of purchase. Often, the policy can be transferred from the previous owner – check its validity.

• Notify the insurer of the ownership change within 14 days.
• Check if the premium has been fully paid (instalments possible).
• Verify the new tariff – find out if the premium will change and if additional payment is needed.

If the premium increases, compare offers from other companies. The seller may refuse to transfer the policy – in that case, purchase a new one. Buying from a business with a VAT invoice gives you 30-day interim insurance; before expiration, secure annual insurance or keep proof of monthly coverage to demonstrate continuous insurance.

Taxes and PCC-3 Declaration

When registering a used car bought in Poland, you must file a PCC-3 declaration and pay a 2% tax on the vehicle’s value. The buyer is usually the taxpayer, as specified in the sales contract. The tax is not required if the seller is a business issuing a VAT invoice. Similarly, vehicles purchased via a VAT invoice from a legal entity are exempt from the 2% tax.

To pay the tax, go to the Tax Office with your contract, fill out the PCC-3, and make the payment within 14 days of purchase.

Fees

You can pay all fees in advance or at the office during registration. Mandatory fees include:

• Registration fee,
• License plate fee,
• Registration certificate fee,
• Temporary permit fee,
• Control sticker fee,
• Legalization sticker fee,
• Recycling fee.

Additional Information

For a vehicle registered in Poland for the first time, an excise duty is applicable. For cars with German or Belgian registration (e.g., purchased from a Polish dealership), the duty is not charged. The excise duty depends on engine capacity and fuel type:

• Up to 2000 cm³ – 3.1% of the average market value,
• Over 2000 cm³ – 18.6%,
• Hybrid up to 2000 cm³ – 1.55%,
• Hybrid over 2000 cm³ – 9.6%,
• Electric vehicles and trucks – exempt from excise duty.

If you have any questions, contact us at office@progressholding.pl.