Car purchase taxes in Luxembourg

In countries like France, it is quite common to spot many individuals driving with Luxembourg license plates. The allure of buying a car in the Grand Duchy lies not only in the reduced prices of vehicles, typically around 10% cheaper than in France and Belgium but also in the cost of Value Added Tax.

What taxes are paid for cars in Luxembourg in general

When purchasing a new or used vehicle, certain administrative procedures must be carried out in Luxembourg and three taxes need to be paid as part of this process:

These three taxes play a crucial role in the car purchase process in Luxembourg, in the following sections we will examine them one by one.

You can find detailed information about the taxation of cars in the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) 2022 Tax Guide.

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ACEA 2022 Tax Guide

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ACEA 2022 Tax Guide

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Car registration taxes

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When it comes to registering your car in Luxembourg, obtaining a registration tax stamp is a crucial step, demonstrating that you have successfully requested and acquired a plate number while fulfilling the required payment.

The specific amount for the tax stamp depends on the type of registration number plate you choose. There are several options available, each with its associated tax:

• Current series numbers will cost 50 euros;
• Personalized numbers will cost 100 euros (50 euros tax + 50 euros extra fee);
• Using personalized numbers you already bought will cost 74 euros (50 euros tax + 24 euros extra fee).

It is important to note that obtaining the plate numbers is only one part of the car registration process. This does not imply that the vehicle has been registered or that it has been automatically granted registration authorization. It simply reserves the selected number for future use.

Once you have the tax stamp you need to complete all the formalities to obtain the necessary documents for registration. When you have them all, take them to the SNCA to start the registration process.

Car registration and taxes when importing a car 

If you're purchasing a new or used vehicle from a country outside the European Union (EU), you'll need to carry out certain customs clearance formalities to register it in Luxembourg. These formalities include customs formalities for the payment of customs duties and the VAT if it’s a new car.

To clear the vehicle, you must bring it to one of the customs offices of the Customs and Excise Agency in person to obtain a 705 sticker. This sticker is a document proving that the vehicle is in order regarding VAT and is required for registration. 

You will need to bring the originals of the following documents to the Customs and Excise Agency (they will give them back to you later):The Certificate of Conformity (COC).

• An invoice or a sales contract.
• The registration number you have reserved.
• The previous registration certificate (if the vehicle has already been operated)The insurance certificate.
• Your national identification number or tax registration number.

Customs duties are 10% of the purchase price of the vehicle plus certain expenses and VAT, which must also be paid for new cars, is 17% of the purchase price.

VAT for car purchase in Luxembourg

In this section, we will explore important aspects related to the Value Added Tax (VAT) when purchasing or importing a vehicle in Luxembourg. We will discuss when the VAT should be paid, and which country holds the responsibility for VAT payment. Additionally, we will highlight the specific office where individuals should go to pay the VAT and obtain the necessary compliance documentation.

When to pay the tax and what is the amount

When purchasing a new or used vehicle in Luxembourg or another European Union member state, there are different cases regarding the payment of VAT. There are a few specific scenarios:

Where to pay VAT for a car in Luxembourg

When purchasing a new vehicle in Luxembourg, you will typically pay the VAT directly to the dealer at the time of purchase. However, in addition to this, you will need to visit the Customs and Excise Agency to obtain a 705 sticker. This sticker serves as proof of VAT compliance and is necessary for vehicle registration.

Web site

22, rue de Bitbourg, L-1273 Luxembourg

(+352) 28 18 28 18

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In which country to pay VAT when buying a car abroad

The VAT should be paid in the country where you intend to register the vehicle. For importing a vehicle from another EU country, you must inform the dealer that you plan to register the vehicle in a different country to avoid paying the VAT in the country of purchase.

Once you have imported the car, you will need to bring the purchased vehicle to one of the Customs and Excise Agencies to pay the Luxembourg VAT and obtain the 705 sticker, needed for further registration.

In some cases, even if you inform the dealer that you plan to export the vehicle, they may require upfront VAT payment assuring you of a later refund. If this occurs, ensure that the dealer provides a clear document outlining the conditions for reimbursement.

Luxury car taxes in Luxembourg

Good news for lovers of retro and luxury cars: Luxembourg does not impose any specific taxes on luxury goods and objects. The luxury car brought in Luxembourg will be taxed similarly to the ordinary car: VAT, registration tax, and road tax depending on the emissions. And that is all.

Road taxes in Luxembourg

All vehicles registered in Luxembourg are subject to the road vehicle tax, which must be paid annually to the Customs and Excise Agency. The tax amount varies based on the vehicle's fuel system, either petrol or diesel.

Keep in mind, that the Luxembourg road taxminimum amount stands at 30 euros annually.

For cars registered for the first time in the European Economic Area after the 1st of January 2021, the tax is calculated based on the CO2 emissions value. You can find this information on your certificate of conformity.

To give you an idea of the Luxembourg road tax value, here is a small table with some examples of popular cars. Keep in mind, that we calculated the yearly tax according to the mean value of the interval in the previous column:

Tax deductions for eco-friendly cars in Luxembourg

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For several years in Luxembourg there have been tax deductions or financial aid to encourage the purchase of environmentally friendly cars. These measures change over time, from August 1, 2024, the subsidies for green cars in Luxembourg change again as part of the program “Klimabonus Mobilitéit”. From this date the measures in force are as follows:

• Subsidies for new electric cars: for new 100% electric cars with an energy consumption of less than 160 Wh/km there is a subsidy of 6,000 euros, and for new electric cars with a consumption of between 161 Wh/km and 180 Wh/km there is a subsidy of 3,000 euros. 
• Subsidies for used electric cars: a new bonus of 1500 euros is introduced for used electric vehicles over 3 years old, provided that the buyer keeps the vehicle for at least two years and does not belong to the same household as the seller.