How to buy a used car in France and bring it to Croatia

For a private individual resident in Croatia who buys a previously registered used M1 passenger car in France for personal use, bringing that vehicle to Croatia is bringing a vehicle into Croatia from another European Union Member State; in the Croatian procedure, do not call it an import. Because France is an EU Member State, customs clearance does not apply to this route; customs clearance before the special tax on motor vehicles applies to an import from a third country, such as Switzerland. Before paying, establish whether the seller is a dealer or a private individual, obtain the invoice or sale and purchase agreement and the original registration documents, match the VIN on the vehicle to the paperwork, and ask an authorised representative of the manufacturer whether the model can be registered in Croatia. Separately inspect its actual condition, modifications and possible repairs: the later conformity assessment is not a seller's warranty or a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. 1 2 3

Match each decision to evidence before paying

Only pay once you have saved the evidence.

French checks and documents

HistoVec, the certificat de situation administrative (CSA), the contrôle technique and a vehicle inspection answer different questions: recorded history, administrative impediments, roadworthiness and current physical condition. HistoVec shows only events recorded in the SIV system, so the absence of a record or a screenshot does not prove a clean history. The CSA must be less than 15 days old; a gage does not in itself prevent a sale, whereas an opposition blocks the change of ownership until it is removed. 4 5 6

For the covered private sale of a passenger car more than four years old, the contrôle technique must generally be less than six months old at the time of the next registration application. If a contre-visite is required, its two-month period must not have expired. A critical defect must be repaired and the retest completed before sale to a private buyer; the two-month period is not permission to leave a critical defect unrepaired. 4

At handover, collect copy 2 of the Cerfa 15776 form, the complete carte grise crossed out and signed with the date and exact time, the CSA and the applicable inspection report. All required co-holders must sign, and the seller must declare the transfer through ANTS within 15 days. Do not assume that Simplimmat is available, because both parties must reside in France. 4

Safe transport to Croatia

The crossed-out carte grise and detachable coupon do not authorise travel outside France, while an ordinary certificat provisoire d'immatriculation (CPI) authorises driving only in France for one month. A CPI WW may be issued for export and is normally valid for four months, but the buyer's eligibility, the issuer, documents, timescale, price, and recognition of the registration and insurance in every country along the route all require case-specific confirmation. Without written cover for the vehicle, driver and dates, have the vehicle transported on a car transporter. 4 11 13

Deregistration or notification of the transfer, temporary registration and physical transport are not the same action. 12

The Croatian sequence

Complete the conformity assessment before dealing with the special tax on motor vehicles (PPMV), roadworthiness testing and first registration. Bring the vehicle, its foreign registration document and, as applicable, a certificate of conformity (CoC), manufacturer's confirmation or technical specification. Identity, originality, homologation marks, components and parameters are checked; additional evidence, tests or modifications may be required, and the vehicle may be refused. The base fee for individual identification and determination of an M1 vehicle's status is EUR 66.36 excluding VAT and possible testing costs. If a manufacturer's confirmation or technical specification must be issued, the base fee is EUR 42.47 excluding VAT. Neither is the total price of additional tests, modifications or repairs. Both amounts were checked on 14 September 2026 against the regulations through NN 150/2022. 2 10 14

For VAT purposes, a vehicle is used only if more than six months have passed since first use and it has travelled more than 6,000 km; if it is no more than six months old or its mileage is no more than 6,000 km, it is a new means of transport (NPS). 7 8

The PP-MV declaration is generally due within 15 days after the vehicle enters Croatia. Service or receipt of a Customs Administration notice or decision then starts a separate deadline of 15 days for payment. For a used M1 vehicle, the remaining PPMV is derived from the tax for a new vehicle and depreciation. The calculator basis is not the French purchase price, market price or invoice price, but the Croatian retail price of the same vehicle as new on the date of its first registration, including customs duty, VAT and factory-fitted equipment, but excluding PPMV. Table-based depreciation disregards physical condition; a market valuation may include Croatian market data, an inspection, a report, an objection and an expert assessment at the buyer's expense. The amount depends on CO2, fuel, date, equipment, basis and method, and the calculator under NN 156/2022 is informative only. 15 16 17

Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity, vehicles with CO2 emissions of 0 g/km and vehicles at least 30 years old that are officially classified as oldtimers are not subject to PPMV. A vehicle of the same age without that status has a flat-rate PPMV of EUR 265.45. This is only a PPMV branch: it does not remove VAT/NPS, conformity assessment, the end-of-life vehicle management fee, insurance, road motor tax, roadworthiness testing or registration. 16

For the applicable end-of-life vehicle management fee, submit the data through the Register of Producers with Extended Responsibility (RPPO) and obtain confirmation before registration. Deduct 75 kg for the driver and 40 kg for fuel from the official mass of a non-electric vehicle, but only 75 kg from that of a fully electric vehicle; multiply the result by EUR 0.08/kg. Arrange compulsory motor third-party liability insurance before use and registration. The annual road motor tax payable at registration or renewal depends on kW and age; a passenger car more than 10 years old is not taxed under that branch, but the other obligations remain. 18 19 20 21

A budget without an invented total

Do not add together alternative transport or PPMV branches. Unknown items require specific information or a quote.

Checklist through to Croatian registration plates

Nothing has been checked in advance.

A test report from another EU Member State is recognised only conditionally: it must be issued by an authorised body, show a pass and remain valid under Croatian intervals, and the roadworthiness testing station (STP) may verify its authenticity. For a used vehicle, the Croatian roadworthiness test precedes the document and payment checks at the STP. Registration plates are issued after the vehicle is entered in the register and the registration certificate is issued or validated. 3 22 23

Frequently asked questions

Does HistoVec prove that the car has no hidden history?

No. It shows only events recorded in the SIV. Ask the registered owner to generate and share the current official HistoVec report, then compare it with the VIN, CSA, service evidence and the vehicle. The absence of a record or a screenshot is not proof that an event did not occur. 4, 5, 6

Which documents must I receive at handover?

Collect copy 2 of Cerfa 15776, the complete carte grise crossed out and signed with the date and time, a CSA less than 15 days old and the applicable contrôle technique. All required co-holders must sign, and the seller must declare the transfer through ANTS within 15 days. 4, 5

Can I drive away with a crossed-out carte grise?

Do not rely on it, the coupon or an ordinary CPI outside France. A CPI WW may be available and is normally valid for four months, but separately confirm its issue and the recognition of the registration and insurance in every country along the route. Without confirmation, use a car transporter. 4, 11, 13

When is a vehicle an NPS for Croatian VAT?

It is an NPS if it is no more than six months old or its mileage is no more than 6,000 km; for it to be used, both thresholds must be exceeded. For an NPS, report the acquisition and pay Croatian VAT within 10 days of the acquisition evidenced by an invoice or sale and purchase agreement, and keep the proof. Otherwise, additional Croatian VAT is generally not payable, but check the seller, invoice and ordinary VAT or margin scheme. 15, 7, 8

How much is PPMV and which deadlines apply?

The amount requires vehicle data and a method. PP-MV is generally filed within 15 days of entry, and receipt of the notice or decision starts a new payment period of 15 days. First registration cannot be completed without completing the process and retaining proof of payment. 15, 24, 17

Does a foreign roadworthiness test replace the Croatian procedure?

Not automatically. The report must be issued by an authorised body, show a pass and remain valid under Croatian intervals; the STP may verify it. Registration follows after the applicable conformity, tax, end-of-life vehicle fee, insurance and technical-condition obligations have been completed. 3, 22, 20, 18

Official next step

Once you have completed all applicable obligations, check the first-registration procedure on the official CVH website before going to an STP. There is no universal price or guarantee that registration will be accepted. 3, 22, 23

Check the official first-registration procedure

Sources

1. Carinska uprava: Razlika između unosa iz EU i uvoza iz trećih zemalja
2. Centar za vozila Hrvatske: Utvrđivanje sukladnosti pojedinačnog vozila
3. Centar za vozila Hrvatske: Prva registracija
4. Service Public – Vendre ou donner son véhicule
5. Service Public – Certificat de situation administrative
6. HistoVec – state service description
7. Carinska uprava: PDV na stjecanje novih prijevoznih sredstava
8. gov.hr: Porezne obveze pri kupnji rabljenih vozila iz drugih država članica EU
9. Your Europe: PDV pri kupnji ili prodaji automobila u inozemstvu
10. Državni zavod za mjeriteljstvo: Homologacija - česta pitanja
11. Service Public – Certificat provisoire d'immatriculation
12. Your Europe: Kupnja i leasing automobila u drugoj državi
13. Your Europe – Mașini cumpărate sau luate în leasing
14. CVH: Pravilnik o utvrđivanju sukladnosti motornih vozila i njihovih prikolica - pročišćeni tekst kroz NN 150/2022
15. Carinska uprava: Obavijest građanima i pravnim osobama o postupku plaćanja PPMV-a (16.04.2026.)
16. Carinska uprava: Motorna vozila - predmet i visina PPMV-a
17. Carinska uprava: Informativni kalkulator za izračun PPMV-a
18. FZOEU: Naknada gospodarenja otpadnim vozilima za potrebe registracije vozila
19. FZOEU: Otpadna vozila - jedinična naknada
20. Centar za vozila Hrvatske: Propisane obaveze kod registracije vozila
21. gov.hr: Porez na cestovna motorna vozila
22. CVH: Pravilnik o registraciji i označavanju vozila
23. Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova: Registracija vozila
24. Carinska uprava: Postupak oporezivanja motornih vozila
25. Carinska uprava: PPMV prijava i plaćanje kroz sustav e-Građani