Guide

Vehicle import to Austria.

The complete guide to costs, process, documents and common pitfalls when importing a vehicle from the EU.

Importing a vehicle to Austria means buying a car in another EU country and making it compliant for Austrian tax and registration purposes. The main steps are NoVA, transport, documents, type certificate and registration. This guide explains costs, timelines and common mistakes.

At a glance

Key points

EU vehicle import to Austria is legal and manageable with proper planning.
Main cost items are NoVA, transport, type certificate and service fee.
Electric vehicles are exempt from NoVA; hybrid vehicles depend on the CO2 value.
COC document, registration papers and purchase contract should be clarified before buying.
Autohaus Zwer handles bureaucracy, NoVA processing and transport.

Why import a vehicle from the EU?

Austria's vehicle market is relatively small by European standards. This means less choice and often higher prices than in neighboring countries.

Looking across the border usually opens a much larger supply and can be especially attractive for young used cars, annual cars and lease returns.

The EU market is also useful for specific trims, engines or special models. Electric vehicles benefit further because NoVA does not apply in Austria.

Good to know

There are no customs duties on vehicles within the EU. When importing to Austria, NoVA and possibly VAT may apply, but no customs duty.

Which countries are most relevant?

Germany is by far the most important market: close distance, huge supply, no language barrier for German speakers and short transport routes.

The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and France can also be interesting. For the most important origin market, read our guide importing a car from Germany .

Regardless of origin, NoVA, document requirements and registration rules are governed by Austrian law.

Which costs apply?

Total import costs consist of several items. Knowing them in advance helps you calculate realistically.

Tip: calculate costs in advance

With our free NoVA calculator you can estimate total import costs in a few minutes.

Normverbrauchsabgabe (NoVA)

NoVA is often the largest item and depends mainly on CO2 value, net vehicle price and age. Details are on our NoVA page .

Transport

Transport costs depend on route and transport type. Standard transport from Germany to Austria often ranges from 400 to 1100 euros.

Documents and type certificate

For registration, an Austrian type certificate or data extract is usually needed. Depending on the general importer, this typically costs 180 to 320 euros.

Import service

The service fee covers Autohaus Zwer's handling: purchase contract support, NoVA filing, transport coordination, documents and customer portal.

NoVA explained briefly

NoVA is an Austrian tax due when a vehicle is registered in Austria for the first time, including imported cars.

Since the 2021 reform, NoVA for passenger cars is mainly based on WLTP CO2 emissions. Higher emissions mean a higher rate; very high values can trigger a surcharge.

For used vehicles, the age reduction lowers the amount. For each full year since first registration, one eighth is deducted, up to seven eighths.

More details and example calculations are available on NoVA for car imports .

Which documents are required?

Missing or incorrect documents are one of the most common causes of delays. The COC document is especially important because it proves EU type approval.

Document checklist

Purchase contract or dealer invoice
COC document
Registration certificate part I
Registration certificate part II
Valid roadworthiness inspection
Proof of paid NoVA
ID and residence registration where required
Power of attorney when Autohaus Zwer handles the import

COC and type certificate

If the COC is missing, it can be reordered from the manufacturer. A full explanation is on our vehicle import documents page .

How the import process works

Importing a vehicle from the EU to Austria follows a clear process. Whether you import yourself or use Autohaus Zwer, the basic steps are similar.

Choose vehicle and calculate costs

Find the vehicle and calculate total costs including NoVA, transport and ancillary costs.

Conclude purchase contract

Check the contract and make sure vehicle data and the COC document are available.

Organize type certificate

Have the Austrian type certificate or data extract issued via the general importer.

Pay NoVA

Declare NoVA with the tax office and pay it on time.

Registration and handover

With type certificate, insurance confirmation and NoVA proof, the vehicle can be registered.

Detailed process

You can find our detailed process on how vehicle import works .

Common import mistakes

If you do not know the process, avoidable mistakes can quickly cost time and money.

Recommendation

Use our vehicle import checklist to keep track of every step.

Not checking the COC document

Without the COC, an Austrian type certificate cannot be issued. Clarify availability before buying.

Underestimating NoVA

For high-emission vehicles, NoVA can amount to several thousand euros.

Not checking vehicle history

Accident damage, odometer manipulation or open recalls can be harder to identify with foreign vehicles.

Missing deadlines

NoVA must be declared on time. Missed deadlines can lead to surcharges or penalties.

When is an import specialist worthwhile?

Self-import is possible, but it requires knowledge of contract law, tax handling, transport logistics, registration and documents.

A specialist is especially useful for a first import, higher-value vehicles, limited time or uncertainty around NoVA and authorities.

Autohaus Zwer handles cost calculation, purchase contract support, NoVA filing, transport, documents and customer portal.

What Autohaus Zwer handles for you

Exact cost calculation
Communication with seller or dealer
Organization of insured transport
NoVA filing and tax office handling
Type certificate and registration documents
Roadworthiness inspection coordination if needed
Support with registration and insurance
Online portal with real-time status

Short answers

What does importing a vehicle to Austria cost?

Costs consist of the vehicle price, NoVA, transport, type certificate and service fee. Total costs can be estimated in advance with the calculator.

How long does vehicle import take?

Usually 2 to 6 weeks, depending on documents, transport and processing times.

Do I pay customs duty on EU imports?

No. There is no customs duty within the EU, but NoVA and possibly VAT may apply.

Frequently asked questions

How long does importing a vehicle from the EU to Austria take?

Usually between two and six weeks. Well-prepared imports from Germany can be faster.

Do I pay customs duty when importing from the EU?

No. There is no customs duty on vehicles within the EU. NoVA and possibly VAT can apply.

Can I import any vehicle from the EU?

Generally yes, if the vehicle has valid EU type approval. Without a COC, individual approval may be required.

What is the difference between self-import and a service provider?

With self-import, you handle contract, NoVA, transport, documents and registration yourself. Autohaus Zwer handles these steps for you.

How is NoVA calculated for used cars?

NoVA is based on CO2 value, net vehicle price and first registration. For used cars, the age reduction lowers the amount.

Do I need a power of attorney?

Yes, if a service provider should handle NoVA, documents or transport in your name.

Can I drive the imported vehicle immediately?

No. It must be registered before it can be used on Austrian roads.

Why is Germany especially attractive?

Germany offers a very large used-car market, short transport routes and standardized documents.