The car question is one of the most concrete challenges you face as an expat: do you ship yours over, or start fresh on arrival? There is no universal answer. The right decision depends on your destination, the age and value of the vehicle, the customs duties that apply, and how much time you have to deal with the paperwork. This guide covers everything with real numbers and the pitfalls to avoid.

Importing your car from abroad

When it actually makes sense

Importing your own car is rarely the cheapest option in absolute terms, but it can be the most rational in specific situations.

It is worth importing if:

  • Your vehicle is recent (under 3-5 years old), high in value (€30,000 and above) and in excellent condition. The transport cost-to-vehicle value ratio then works in your favour.
  • You are moving to a country where cars are very expensive to buy (Australia, Singapore, Nordic countries), making importation competitive even after fees.
  • Your vehicle is specialist or customised (adapted vehicle, rare powertrain) and difficult to find locally.

It is generally not worth importing if your vehicle is more than 5-7 years old, if the residual value is below €10,000, or if you are moving to a country with high import duties on vehicles.

The real costs of importing

Importing a vehicle by sea or land involves several cumulative cost items.

Shipping: the cost depends on the distance and transport method. Via shared container (groupage) or Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo):

  • Europe to North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia): €400-800
  • Europe to sub-Saharan Africa: €800-1,800
  • Europe to North America (Canada, USA): €1,200-2,500
  • Europe to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia): €2,000-4,000
  • Europe to Australia/New Zealand: €2,500-5,000

Customs duties: this is the most variable factor and often the heaviest cost. Rates applied in 2026:

  • Morocco: 17.5% to 40% of market value depending on vehicle age
  • Canada: generally 0% for personal vehicles on relocation (subject to conditions)
  • Australia: 5% customs duty + 10% GST on the value
  • Dubai (UAE): 5% on CIF value + VAT (0% in free zones, but applies at entry)
  • Thailand: 80% to 200% (prohibitive; importing a personal car is practically impossible)
  • Spain/EU: 0% within the EU, but vehicles registered outside the EU are subject to VAT unless the removal allowance applies

Compliance modifications: some countries require technical adaptations for local type approval (lights, bumpers, lighting systems, left/right-hand drive). Budget €500 to €2,000 depending on what is required.

Removal allowance: many countries grant a customs exemption for personal effects, including one vehicle, when a person establishes residence. Check conditions with the customs authority of your destination country. For vehicles being re-imported into France after a period abroad, procedures are detailed on service-public.fr. For export from France, check douane.gouv.fr.

Timelines and formalities

Allow 4 to 12 weeks for a sea shipment depending on the destination. Administrative formalities include:

  • A carnet de passage en douane or the title document with apostille depending on the country
  • The European Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or local equivalent
  • Proof that any car loan or lease is fully settled
  • A valid recent roadworthiness certificate (usually under 6 months)

Buying a car locally

New or used: how to choose

Buying locally is usually the simplest option administratively. You start fresh with a vehicle that already meets local technical standards and can be registered directly.

New: you get the local manufacturer warranty, current technical standards and potential local financing. Downside: the cost is higher, and in some countries (Australia, Singapore, Gulf states), new vehicle prices are noticeably above European levels.

Used: less expensive, but more vigilance is required over the vehicle’s condition, accident history and the seller’s identity. In many countries there is no equivalent to France’s Histovec or a comprehensive vehicle history report, so you depend on the seller for the service history.

Registration for a non-resident or new resident

Local registration for a newly arrived expat follows different rules depending on the country.

In Spain: registration (matriculación) is possible once you have your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero). For a used vehicle bought from a private seller, you must submit the sale contract, the previous owner’s registration document (permiso de circulación) and pay transfer taxes (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales, roughly 4-8% of value depending on the region) at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).

In Canada: procedures vary by province. In Ontario, you can register a vehicle from arrival with a valid foreign driving licence and proof of address. Local insurance must be obtained beforehand.

In Dubai: registration requires a valid residency visa, a local driving licence (or a recognised international permit), mandatory insurance, and a roadworthiness inspection (Tastech) for used vehicles. New vehicles bought through a dealership are often registered directly by the dealer.

Local financing

Getting a car loan in a new country is often difficult in the first few years: you have no local credit history and sometimes no established bank account. In practice, the options are:

  • Dealership financing (leasing or manufacturer credit): more accessible, especially for salaried expats with a local employment contract
  • Cash purchase (the most common option for newcomers)
  • Long-term leasing (similar to LLD/LOA in France, or the local equivalent)

Local registration: the deadlines to respect

This is something many expats do not discover until it causes a problem. Almost every country sets a maximum period within which a foreign-plated vehicle must be re-registered after residence is established.

  • Spain: 30 days after obtaining the residency certificate (empadronamiento). After that, the vehicle is circulating illegally.
  • Canada (Ontario): within 60 days of establishing provincial residency.
  • Dubai: foreign-plated vehicles cannot be driven outside free zones. Local registration is required as soon as the residency visa is issued.
  • Australia: each state sets its own rules, but generally 3 to 6 months after residency is established.
  • France (for French nationals returning home): a foreign-registered vehicle may circulate for 6 months; after that, French registration is required.

Consequences of driving on foreign plates beyond the deadline

Driving too long on foreign plates is not a minor issue. The real risks:

  • Fine and vehicle impoundment during a roadside check
  • Refusal of cover by the local insurer in the event of an accident (the policy can be voided if the vehicle is not legally compliant)
  • Complications when selling the vehicle or at roadworthiness inspection
  • In some countries, a presumption of customs fraud if the vehicle has been in the country longer than the permitted transit period

Driving licence abroad

The driving licence question is directly linked to the vehicle question. In most countries, you can drive on your foreign licence for a limited period (often 1 to 12 months depending on bilateral agreements), after which you must obtain a local licence.

Some countries allow a direct exchange of a French licence without sitting a new test (Spain, Canada, Australia, Morocco, etc.). Others require a local theory or practical test. We have covered all the procedures in detail in our article driving licence abroad.

It is important to handle this at the same time as registration: driving with an expired or locally invalid licence also invalidates your insurance.

Car insurance abroad

No transferable no-claims bonus: the general rule

One of the most frequent unpleasant surprises: your French no-claims bonus (coefficient de réduction-majoration) does not automatically transfer to most countries. You typically start from scratch.

This has a direct impact on cost: a driver with 15 years of no-claims bonus in France (coefficient 0.50) ends up paying the base rate of a driver with no track record in the host country. The difference can be 40 to 80% extra premium for the first few years.

What you can do: ask your French insurer for a detailed statement of your claims history over the last 5 years (relevé d’informations). Some foreign insurers, particularly in Spain, Canada or Australia, will take this into account and grant a partial bonus. It is not guaranteed, but worth requesting.

Documents to prepare before taking out local insurance

Before signing up for local car insurance, have the following ready:

  • The claims history statement from your previous insurer (5-year record)
  • Your driving licence (French and/or international as required by the country)
  • Proof of local residence (accommodation letter, lease agreement)
  • The vehicle registration document or title
  • In some countries, a physical inspection of the vehicle by the insurer

Car insurance cost ranges abroad (2026)

Rates vary widely depending on the country, driver profile and level of cover:

  • Spain (third-party liability + theft): €400-800/year for a standard profile, more in certain provinces
  • Canada (Ontario): CAD 1,200-2,500/year, among the highest in the world; new arrivals without a local history often pay the upper end
  • Dubai: AED 1,500-3,000/year (€400-800) for comprehensive cover
  • Australia (NSW): AUD 800-1,800/year depending on cover, excluding the separately required CTP (Compulsory Third Party)
  • Morocco: €150-400/year for third-party liability; fully comprehensive cover is less accessible

Alternatives: what if you skip the car altogether?

In some destinations or transitional phases, not having a car is a serious option.

Public transport: efficient in major cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Montreal, Dubai with its metro). A monthly pass runs between €40 and €80 depending on the city. In Dubai, the metro covers the densest zones, and Uber is well established.

Long-term leasing: if you are uncertain how long you will stay, leasing avoids tying up capital and the hassle of reselling. In Spain, renting formulas exist from around €250-350/month including maintenance and insurance.

Ride-hailing and car-sharing: in the first weeks after arrival, Uber, Lyft or local equivalents let you manage without a car while you find your feet. Canada, Australia and the Gulf countries all have mature ride-hailing markets.

Before making your decision, it is worth checking our full moving abroad checklist to make sure you are not overlooking other key steps during your move.

Comparison table

Option Estimated cost Administrative effort Ideal for
Import your own car €2,000-8,000 (shipping + customs + compliance) High (customs formalities, 4-12 week delays) Recent vehicle > €25,000, country with high local prices
Buy new locally €15,000-50,000 depending on country and model Moderate (local registration, financing) Long stay (> 3 years), need for manufacturer warranty
Buy used locally €5,000-20,000 depending on country and model Moderate (checks, title transfer) Tight budget, uncertain length of stay, active local market
No car (leasing, ride-hailing, transit) €40-400/month depending on use and city Low Major city, settling-in phase, short stay

Frequently asked questions

Can I import a car duty-free when relocating?

Yes, under certain conditions. Most countries grant a customs exemption for personal effects when changing residence, usually including one vehicle. Conditions vary: minimum ownership period before departure (often 6 to 12 months), proof of permanent relocation, and no resale for a set period after import. Check with the embassy or customs authority of your destination country before arranging transport. For the French side of things, rules on importing a vehicle into France are available on service-public.fr.

How long can I drive on foreign plates abroad?

It depends on the country. In Spain, you have 30 days after obtaining your residency certificate (empadronamiento). Across the EU in general, rules vary but typically allow between 1 and 6 months after officially establishing residence. Outside the EU, deadlines tend to be shorter and enforcement stricter. For popular destinations such as Canada or Spain, plan to re-register within the first month after your official installation.

Is my French car insurance valid abroad?

Temporarily, yes. The green card (international insurance certificate) is valid in countries that have signed the Green Card Convention (most European countries and a few others). It covers you for third-party liability, generally for 1 to 3 months depending on your policy. Beyond that period, or if you establish residence in the country, you must take out local insurance. Check your current policy: some insurers limit validity to 30 days, others to 90 days.

Should I sell my car in France before leaving or import it?

The rule of thumb: if the value of your vehicle is less than the total import cost (shipping + customs + compliance), it is better to sell in France and buy locally. If your car is worth €30,000 or more and customs duties are low at the destination (as in Canada for relocations), importation can make financial sense. Run the numbers on the actual figures for your destination before deciding.

Managing a vehicle as an expat is more complex than it first appears, but entirely manageable if you plan ahead. The classic mistake is to wait until you are settled to deal with it, then find yourself with missed re-registration deadlines or lapsed insurance. Take care of these steps in the first few weeks after arrival.

To prepare your move as a whole, check out our moving abroad checklist and our living abroad guide.

For vehicle specifics by destination:

The costs and timelines in this guide reflect the situation as of Q3 2026. Customs rules and insurance rates change: always verify current conditions with the relevant authorities in your destination country before you leave.