How do I register my vehicle in Luxembourg?

Have you just moved to Luxembourg with your car? After your arrival, there are several steps you need to take to drive legally: have your foreign driver’s license recognized if necessary, insure your vehicle, reserve a license plate number, and apply for a Luxembourg registration certificate.

If your vehicle is already registered abroad, you mustregister it in Luxembourg within 6 months of moving here. This process applies to new residents importing their personal vehicle, as well as to those purchasing a vehicle abroad.

Here are the steps to follow to register your vehicle in Luxembourg, the documents you’ll need to prepare, and common mistakes to avoid to save time.

Registering Your Vehicle in Luxembourg: Key Steps

Step	Procedure	Key points
1	Check the registration deadline	A foreign vehicle must generally be registered within 6 months of moving to Luxembourg.
2	Reserve a license plate number	Standard number or personalized number via MyGuichet.lu.
3	Purchase Luxembourg car insurance	Proof of insurance is required for the SNCA application.
4	Obtain the 705 sticker	Customs document required to certify the vehicle’s legal status.
5	Submit the application for a registration certificate	The application is processed by the SNCA.
6	Have the license plates made	The license plates must be produced by an approved manufacturer.

When should you register your vehicle in Luxembourg?

Once you have settled in Luxembourg, you generally have six months to register your foreign vehicle with Luxembourg license plates.

This timeframe mainly applies to people moving to Luxembourg with a vehicle already registered abroad. It is therefore advisable to start the process as soon as you arrive, as several documents are required: insurance, customs sticker, certificate of conformity, technical inspection, and foreign registration certificate.

Reserving Your Registration Number in Luxembourg

The first step is to reserve a registration number. This reservation can be made online via MyGuichet.lu.

There are two main types of registration numbers:

• The standard series number: it generally consists of 2 letters and 4 digits. It follows the order of assigned registrations and remains linked to the vehicle.
• The personalized number: this allows you to choose an available combination. This number belongs to its holder and may, under certain conditions, be transferred or assigned.

Personalized license plate: how does it work?

Personalized license plates are very common in Luxembourg. They allow you to choose a combination that is easier to remember, often consisting of initials, a date, or a meaningful number.

Personalized numbers can take the form of:

• 4-digit numbers, which are currently in high demand and often have a waiting list;
• 5-digit numbers, which are easier to obtain;
• a combination of 2 letters and 4 personalized digits.

A personalized license plate incurs additional fees, including an extra tax stamp. The amount may vary: always check the applicable rates before submitting your request.

To save time, you can check the availability of your license plate number directly via MyGuichet.lu.

Apply for the registration certificate from the SNCA

Once your registration number has been reserved, you must request a registration certificate from the Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile (SNCA).

The SNCA is the competent authority for procedures related to vehicle registration in Luxembourg. It handles, in particular, imported vehicles, vehicles purchased abroad, and vehicles to be registered in the name of a new resident.

How do I obtain the registration certificate?

The application form for a registration certificate is available on the SNCA website. Once completed and signed, it can be submitted according to the procedures set by the SNCA: by mail, in person at the reception desk, or by appointment.

Before submitting your application, make sure your file is complete. A missing document may delay the registration of your vehicle.

Insuring Your Vehicle in Luxembourg

Before registration, you must purchase auto insurance from an insurance company licensed in Luxembourg.

The insurance certificate is one of the documents required for the registration application. It serves as proof that the vehicle is insured in accordance with Luxembourg regulations.

The type of insurance depends on your vehicle, its intended use, your driver profile, and the level of coverage you desire. Compare coverage, deductibles, and exclusions before signing your contract.

Form 705, customs import document for the vehicle

Obtain Vignette 705 from Customs

To certify that your vehicle is in good standing in Luxembourg, a Vignette 705 may be required. This customs document is issued by the Customs and Excise Administration.

Form 705 applies specifically to vehicles purchased or imported from abroad. It allows for verification of the vehicle’s status regarding tax and customs obligations.

To obtain this sticker, you will generally need to present several documents: proof of purchase, certificate of conformity, foreign registration certificate, and the declarant’s ID.

The application can be made at the relevant offices of the Customs and Excise Administration, specifically in Gasperich, Grevenmacher, or Diekirch, depending on the available information and current procedures.

Sticker 705 and road tax: what’s the difference?

The 705 sticker and the annual road tax are two separate procedures.

The 705 sticker is a customs document issued upon the import or registration of a vehicle coming from abroad. It certifies that the vehicle is in good standing with the Customs and Excise Administration.

The annual road tax is a tax payable each year for any vehicle registered in Luxembourg. It entitles the owner to receive the annual tax sticker associated with the vehicle’s registration.

In practice, the 705 sticker is issued at the time of registration of an imported vehicle, while the road tax is due annually as long as the vehicle remains registered in Luxembourg.

Annual road tax: a separate process from registration

Once your vehicle is registered in Luxembourg, you must also pay the Luxembourg road tax annually.

This tax is administered by the Customs and Excise Administration. After the vehicle is registered, the owner receives a payment notice indicating the amount due and the payment terms.

The amount of the tax depends, in particular, on the vehicle’s specifications, its engine type, and its CO₂ emissions.

After payment, a tax sticker is issued. It serves as proof that the annual tax has been paid.

Please note: this annual tax is entirely separate from the 705 sticker, which applies only when importing or registering a vehicle from abroad.

Documents to prepare for registering a vehicle in Luxembourg

To submit your application to the SNCA, prepare the following documents:

• the completed and signed application form for a registration certificate;
• a copy of your ID;
• the vehicle invoice or proof of purchase;
• the insurance certificate issued by an insurer authorized in Luxembourg;
• the 705 sticker issued by the Customs and Excise Administration;
• a valid technical inspection certificate, if applicable;
• the vehicle’s European Certificate of Conformity, if necessary;
• the foreign registration document;
• a "chancellery fee" revenue stamp;
• an additional tax stamp if you have chosen a personalized license plate.

Having your license plates made

Once the registration certificate has been issued, you must have your Luxembourg license plates made by an approved manufacturer.

The list of approved manufacturers is available on the SNCA website. It is important to comply with Luxembourg formats and standards to avoid any issues during vehicle inspections or while driving.

More information on registering your vehicle and the necessary steps is available on the SNCA website.

Do I need to have my driver’s license recognized?

Vehicle registration is a separate process from the recognition or exchange of a driver’s license. Depending on your country of origin, your residency status, and the length of your stay, certain formalities may be required.

Before driving regularly in Luxembourg, check the rules applicable to your foreign driver’s license.

See our guide: Getting Your Driver’s License Recognized in Luxembourg.

Checklist before submitting your registration application

□ Check the 6-month deadline after you move here.

□ Reserve your license plate number via MyGuichet.lu.

□ Choose between a standard number and a personalized number.

□ Purchase Luxembourg car insurance.

□ Obtain the insurance certificate.

□ Apply for the 705 sticker from Customs if necessary.

□ Gather the vehicle documents: invoice, foreign registration certificate, certificate of conformity, and vehicle inspection report.

□ Complete the SNCA form.

□ Obtain the necessary revenue stamps.

□ Have the license plates made by an authorized manufacturer after obtaining the certificate.

FAQ: Registering Your Vehicle in Luxembourg