Exporting a Car from Czech Republic 2026: Deregistration, Temporary Plates and Customs

Permanent vehicle export: registr silničních vozidel first, then insurance

Permanent export of a road vehicle from the Czech Republic to another country is governed by Act 56/2001 Sb. on conditions of vehicle operation and Decree 343/2014 Sb. If you permanently take a car, motorcycle or trailer out of the country (for personal use after emigration or for sale), you must deregister the vehicle from the Czech registry of road vehicles (registr silničních vozidel) at the local municipality with extended powers (ORP) — typically the transport department, vehicle registration agency.

The 2026 process is largely digitised via the Ministry of Transport ePortal or CzechPoint+ at Czech Post. Full online handling requires Identita občana with assurance level ”značná” (BankID, MojeID, eObčanka) and an active datová schránka for the confirmation.

Step-by-step: exporting a Czech vehicle in 2026

1. Document preparation: velký technický průkaz (vehicle registration certificate, part II), malý technický průkaz (part I), a green card (international motor insurance) with end date marked, ID, and a power of attorney with verified signature if you act for someone else.

2. Application for permanent retirement / export on the prescribed form. Available on the Ministry of Transport ePortal or at the office. Tick ”permanent vehicle export abroad” and state the destination country and reason (emigration, sale, gift). Administrative fee 200 Kč under item 26 of the schedule to Act 634/2004 Sb. on administrative fees.

3. Surrender of licence plates (SPZ): most ORP require physical disposal of plates. Some allow keeping the plates for the trip to the destination with a one-time-use authorisation (about 7-14 days). If the destination country requires the original Czech plates for registration (Germany with Anmeldung, Austria with Genehmigung), request written confirmation of this approach in advance.

4. Export confirmation: the office issues a Confirmation of Vehicle Removal from the Registry of Road Vehicles for Export Reasons. This document is essential for registration in the destination country — without it, re-registration is only possible after complex verifications.

Country-specific requirements

VAT and customs duties on export

Export of a vehicle outside the EU (UK, Switzerland, USA, Norway, Serbia etc.) requires an EX-A customs declaration in the ECS system. For private individuals on emigration, the relief from import duties and VAT for moved goods (Council Regulation (EC) 1186/2009 in the EU, local equivalent in third countries) usually applies if:

(a) the vehicle was owned for at least 6 months before the move,

(b) it was used in the Czech Republic (registered for at least 6 months),

(c) it is part of an overall household relocation,

(d) it will not be sold in the destination country within 12 months (otherwise VAT becomes due).

Within the EU there is no customs declaration — the Czech export confirmation is enough, plus registration in the destination country within 30-90 days (varies by country). See our customs guide for the full picture.

Compulsory motor insurance and CASCO on export

End your Czech compulsory motor insurance under Act 168/1999 Sb. by written termination to the insurer (Generali Česká pojišťovna, Kooperativa, Allianz, ČSOB Pojišťovna, Slavia Pojišťovna, UNIQA) along with the vehicle export confirmation. Notice period: typically to the export date; don’t forget to claim a refund of unused premium (typically 1 000-3 000 Kč for an annually paid policy).

Before export, secure compulsory insurance in the destination country (Versicherungsbestätigung in Germany, eVB in Austria, Certificate of Insurance in the UK). Most international insurers (Allianz, AXA, Generali, Kooperativa-VIG) allow transfer or offer 30-day cross-border bridging cover.

Hybrid options: keep in CZ or sell

Many emigrants conclude that exporting a Czech car to the destination is more expensive (1 500-5 000 EUR for non-EU, 200-500 EUR for EU) than selling in the Czech Republic and buying a new car in the destination. The Czech used-car market is liquid and Prague/Brno prices are comparable to Munich or Vienna for Škoda, VW, BMW and Audi.

Alternative: keep the vehicle in the Czech Republic with the institute of ”temporary deregistration from operation” (depozit) at the ORP — no plates, no compulsory insurance, one-time fee 200 Kč. Czech registration is preserved and can be reactivated. Maximum 12 months, with possible repeated extensions. Suitable for short-term 1-3 year stays abroad.

What to do with your Czech driving licence

A Czech driving licence issued after 2013 is valid throughout the EU/EEA and Switzerland without exchange for its full validity period (usually 10 or 15 years). In Germany, Austria, Italy, France and other EU countries you can drive on it normally. For exchange to a local licence after a certain residency period (e.g. 6 months in Germany, 12 months in Austria) drive on the Czech licence until the deadline — see our driving licence guide.