For the hundreds of thousands of British expats living in the EU, buying a car can be a complicated process. It’s not just a matter of rocking up at a dealership that takes your fancy and be behind the wheel an hour later. You need to navigate the different laws, regulations and customs, some of which apply EU-wide, but some of which are subject to local variations and interpretations. Research and preparation before you set foot in a showroom is crucial. If you’re an expat living in the EU, or planning to move there soon, this article will point you in the right direction. So, whether you’re looking to buy a new car in Italy, or are thinking about second hand cars in the Netherlands, here’s the lowdown.
The Language Barrier
Let’s start with the basics. If you’re a new expat still learning the language (or just haven’t got round to learning it yet!), then language barriers can create challenges when you’re buying a new car. English is spoken widely as a second (or even a third) language in the EU, but you can’t rely on that. A car is a big-ticket purchase and comes with a lot of legal and regulatory strings too. If you’re not fluent, ask a local friend to help, or even hire a professional interpreter for the day.
Driving Licence
If you’re resident in the EU (or going to be) but have a UK driving licence, then it is likely that you are going to have to exchange it for a local version, even if your UK one is still valid. Rules vary from country to country, but the quicker you do this (even if you’re not planning to buy a car for a while), the better. Most countries allow drivers with UK licences to exchange them for new ones without having to take a driving test. But if you lose your UK licence or it has expired, then you’ll have to apply for a new local licence, and you may need to retake your test!
Research Your Regs
Don’t start the process of buying a car in the EU until you’ve checked out the local laws and regulations. Check what the dealer should be offering and what documents you will need. Also make sure you’ve investigated things like emissions, as some EU countries have stringent rules which can lead to unexpected consequences and costs. And of course, always buy from a reputable dealer.
Checking The Vehicle
If you’re buying at a traditional car showroom, make sure a comprehensive vehicle history check takes place. This will reveal accident history, outstanding finance problems, mileage discrepancies or any other issues. If you’re buying a car from an online dealer, then make sure they offer a 14-day money back guarantee period. This will allow you to effectively test drive the car for that time. Any major issues, they should be picking up the car and returning your money.
Insurance
As in the UK, you cannot drive a car without insurance in the EU. So, you’ll need to arrange this before you can legally drive your car on the road. In the EU, there are two types of car insurance: third-party liability insurance, which is mandatory in all EU countries, and comprehensive insurance, which provides additional coverage for damage to your own vehicle. But local regulations can differ, so it’s always best to go comprehensive if you can. Research the rules where you live, shop around for the best rates – always let them know you are a UK expat. And make sure your policy covers you in other EU countries (or the UK!) if you plan to travel around.
Register the Vehicle
Once you’ve purchased the vehicle and sorted the insurance, you’ll need to register the car with the local authorities. This will involve providing documentation such as proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and any required inspections. You may also need to pay registration fees and taxes.
Know Local Driving Laws
Finally, before getting behind the wheel and driving off in your new car, make sure you are well versed in the local driving laws. Even if you’ve lived abroad for some time, if you’re new to driving on those roads, it’s easy to subconsciously fall into UK driving autopilot mode. But there can be major differences in speed limits, traffic laws and parking regulations. Road signs can be entirely different from the ones in the UK. And many countries have harsher penalties for driving offences than in Britain. Check local laws and it’s a good idea to learn the layouts of the local roads you’ll be using. That way you’ll avoid fines and even more serious legal problems.
