How to buy a used car in the Netherlands and bring it to Croatia

This guide is for a private individual resident in Croatia who is buying a previously registered used M1 car in the Netherlands. Before paying, confirm the export arrangements, VIN, original documents and eligibility for registration in Croatia. This is bringing a vehicle into Croatia from another European Union (EU) Member State, not an import. Switzerland is a separate third-country import branch in which customs clearance precedes PPMV; that branch does not apply to this Dutch route. Without confirmed export plates and insurance for the journey, arrange transport by vehicle carrier. Handle conformity assessment, any value added tax (VAT) for a new means of transport, special tax on motor vehicles (PPMV), the end-of-life vehicle fee, insurance, inspection and registration separately. 1 2 3

Base your decisions before payment on evidence

Run the RDW kentekencheck and, where available, obtain an RDW Vehicle Report. Compare the VIN, plates, seller's identity and address, registration papers and transfer code, APK, recalls, keeper or status history and mileage. ‘Tenaamstelling mogelijk? nee’ means you should not pay until transfer becomes possible. 4

RDW includes Belgian readings from 13 January 2025 and German readings from 3 February 2026. A vehicle previously imported into the Netherlands can still have ‘Geen oordeel vanwege invoer’ despite a rising sequence because other foreign registration periods are unknown. Reconcile the mileage with the agreement, invoices, APK and service records: RDW does not prove title, complete history or current condition, and inaccessible or unrecorded information should remain unverified. 4 8

Inspect the condition, modifications and possible repairs separately. Using the VIN, ask an authorised manufacturer representative whether the model can be registered in Croatia. Conformity assessment checks identity, originality, parts and characteristics; it is neither a warranty nor a pre-purchase inspection. 2 7 6

Documents before RDW export

Before deregistration, obtain an identity document, the registration card and transfer code, or Deel 1B and the transfer certificate, as well as the plates. Replace any missing documents before export; they cannot be replaced afterwards. Retain the proof of indemnification, the cut registration card or Deel 1B, and the export certificate kentekenbewijs deel II. Where feasible, name the Croatian buyer so that they appear on Part II. If the seller handles the export, the seller remains responsible until foreign registration; agree the roles in writing. 11

The white export number is valid on Dutch public roads for up to 14 days, with insurance and a valid APK. It does not establish recognition or cover for the driver, dates and route outside the Netherlands. Check every transit jurisdiction or choose a vehicle carrier. 11 12

A BPM refund is not an automatic discount for the buyer. The cumulative conditions are a first Dutch plate on or after 16 October 2006, no damage-vehicle status, RDW export, movement to and permanent registration in Croatia, and evidence of that registration within 13 weeks of export. Confirm the claimant, current form, filing event, deadline and amount. 13 14

Keep VAT, conformity and PPMV separate

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. It is a new means of transport (NPS) if no more than six months have passed or it has travelled no more than 6,000 km. For an NPS, the private buyer reports the acquisition and pays Croatian VAT no later than ten days from the acquisition evidenced by the invoice or agreement, and retains the evidence for registration. When both used-vehicle criteria are met, additional Croatian VAT is generally not payable, but check whether the seller is a dealer or a private individual and whether the invoice uses the standard or margin scheme. PPMV remains separate. 9 5 10

Complete conformity assessment before PPMV, the roadworthiness test and registration. Bring the vehicle and submit its foreign registration document and, as applicable, a certificate of conformity (CoC), manufacturer's confirmation or technical specification. Additional evidence, testing or modification may be required; the vehicle may be refused. The fees of EUR 66.36 for M1 identification and determination of vehicle status and EUR 42.47 for an issued manufacturer's confirmation or technical specification were checked on 14 September 2026 against the regulation consolidated through NN 150/2022. Both exclude VAT; the first excludes possible examination costs and neither is a total price. 2 7 15

As a rule, submit the PP-MV declaration within 15 days of the vehicle entering Croatia, together with the invoice or agreement, foreign registration document and conformity evidence. Service of the notice or decision starts a separate payment period of 15 days. Those deadlines and the ten days for an NPS run from different events; registration must wait until PPMV is complete and proof of payment is available. 16 17

Remaining PPMV is based on the tax for a new vehicle and depreciation. The basis is the Croatian retail price of the same vehicle when new on the date of first registration, including customs duty, VAT and factory equipment but excluding PPMV — not the purchase price, market price or invoice price of the used vehicle. The current page refers to NN 156/2022. Table-based depreciation disregards condition; a market assessment may involve Croatian market evidence, an inspection, a report, an objection and an expert assessment at the buyer's expense. CO2, fuel, the first-registration date, Croatian new-vehicle price, equipment, the chosen assessment route and method leave the amount unknown until it is calculated or assessed. 16 18 19

Pure-electric vehicles, vehicles with CO2 emissions of 0 g/km and vehicles produced at least 30 years ago that are formally 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. These branches do not remove VAT/NPS, conformity, the end-of-life vehicle fee, insurance, inspection or registration obligations. 16 18

Complete the Croatian obligations and registration

For an M1 vehicle within scope, submit the data through the Register of Producers with Extended Responsibility (RPPO) and obtain confirmation of payment of the end-of-life vehicle management fee before registration. From the official mass of a non-electric vehicle, subtract 75 kg for the driver and 40 kg for fuel; from that of an electric vehicle, subtract 75 kg. Multiply the result by EUR 0.08/kg. The deductions are not the rate, and the amount depends on official data. 16 20 21

Arrange compulsory motor third-party liability insurance before use and registration. Annual road motor tax is due on registration or renewal and depends on kW and age; a passenger car more than ten years old is not taxed under this branch, but the other obligations remain. 22 23

A foreign roadworthiness report is recognised conditionally: it must be issued by an authorised station or authority, show that the vehicle passed and remain valid under Croatian inspection intervals. The roadworthiness testing station (STP) may verify its authenticity, issuer and validity. If the STP requires a Croatian roadworthiness test, it precedes the document and payment checks; after entry in the register and the issue or validation of the registration certificate, the plates follow. 6 24 25

A budget without an invented total

Add together only the applicable branches; the rest require data, a decision or a quote.

Outstanding steps

Frequently asked questions

Which documents are needed before payment and RDW export?

Before paying, check the seller's identity and status, whether transfer is possible with RDW, and that the VIN matches on the vehicle and documents. Obtain an invoice or agreement, the registration card with its code, or Deel 1B with the transfer certificate. Replace missing documents before export; afterwards, retain the proof of indemnification and the deel II certificate. Define the roles in writing. 4, 11, 6, 3

Do RDW and the mileage prove that the car is safe?

No. RDW does not prove title, complete history or condition. If foreign registration periods are missing, ‘Geen oordeel vanwege invoer’ may remain. Reconcile the mileage with the agreement, invoices, APK and service records, and inspect the vehicle. 4, 8, 2

Can I drive to Croatia with the white export number?

Not without checking. It is valid on Dutch roads for up to 14 days with insurance and an APK, but it does not confirm recognition or cover elsewhere. Confirm the driver, dates and every transit jurisdiction, or arrange transport by vehicle carrier. 11, 12, 3

Can a registered car be an NPS for VAT purposes?

Yes. It is used only if more than six months have passed and it has travelled more than 6,000 km. If no more than six months have passed or it has travelled no more than 6,000 km, it is an NPS; the buyer reports the acquisition and pays VAT within ten days of the acquisition evidenced by the invoice or agreement. 16, 9, 5, 10

In what order should I deal with the Croatian deadlines?

Complete conformity assessment. For an NPS, the deadline is ten days from acquisition; for PP-MV, it is 15 days from entry; service of the official document starts a separate period of 15 days for payment. RPPO, insurance, roadworthiness and registration follow. 16, 17, 26, 9, 2, 6, 20

Can I deduct the BPM refund from the cost?

Do not count it in advance. Check the first plate, damage status, RDW export, Croatian registration and evidence of registration within 13 weeks of RDW export. Account for the refund separately only after confirming the claimant, conditions, current form, filing event, deadline and amount. With unknown costs, there is no universal total. 13, 14, 19, 6, 22

If you have completed the applicable obligations — conformity assessment, the NPS procedure and PPMV, the RPPO fee, insurance and roadworthiness — check the official first-registration steps on the CVH website. This is not a guarantee of acceptance or of the total price. 6, 24, 25

Check the official first-registration steps

Sources

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