Importing a used car to Denmark: tax, inspection and deadlines (2026)

Live in Denmark? Then the car needs Danish plates

If you live in Denmark, you may not drive on Danish roads in a car with foreign number plates. If you move here with your car, it must be registered on Danish plates no later than 30 days after you arrive in Denmark – and you must pay Danish registration tax.

Exceptions: if you keep your residence abroad and stay in Denmark less than 185 days within 12 months, you may drive on foreign plates without paying Danish registration tax. Fixed-term work in Denmark of up to six months is also exempt. In doubt? Ask Motorstyrelsen with form 21.059 (fee: 400 kr.).

Registration tax: what decides the amount

All cars in Denmark pay registration tax once, before they get Danish plates – also used cars from other EU countries. For a used car, the tax is based on the car's price in Denmark including tax, compared with its price as new and how much it has lost in value. Electric cars pay less.

Get an estimate first: Motorstyrelsen has a tax calculator in Motorregistret. The amount you pay is decided by Motorstyrelsen's valuation (værdifastsættelse).

Step 1: Inspection

The car needs an extended registration and customs inspection at an approved inspection centre (synshal). Bring the original registration certificate. The inspection must be no more than four weeks old when you ask for the valuation.

Do you live in Denmark and the car has foreign plates? Then fill in Motorstyrelsen's online notification before you bring the car to Denmark, and keep the printed receipt in the car.

Step 2: Ask for a valuation

Log in to skat.dk/tastselv with MitID and choose Motor → Motorregistret → Registreringsafgift → Anmod om værdifastsættelse. State that you are new in Denmark or that the car has foreign plates. You can also use a private valuation company – they charge a fee.

No CPR number and MitID? Write to Motorstyrelsen instead and attach the registration certificate. The decision appears in TastSelv under “Meddelelser fra Motorregistret” – or comes by post. TastSelv is only in Danish, so get help with the language if you need it.

Step 3: Pay the tax

Pay by bank transfer or with the payment slip at your bank. It can take up to seven days before you get the receipt – and you need it to get number plates.

Step 4: Insurance and number plates

Take out third-party liability insurance before the car is registered. Then register the car and buy number plates at a number plate provider (nummerpladeoperatør). Bring the registration certificate, photo ID, your insurance details, the tax receipt and the foreign plates if you have them.

A set of number plates costs 1,180 kr. Personal service at Motorstyrelsen costs 200 kr. extra. Motorstyrelsen does not deregister the car in the country it came from – you have to take care of that yourself.

VAT and customs

A used car from another EU country: no VAT if it has driven more than 6,000 km and is more than six months old. A car from outside the EU: normally 10% customs duty and 25% VAT on the invoice price plus freight and costs.

Staying for a limited time?

Foreign nationals staying in Denmark for a limited period can apply to pay the registration tax quarterly instead of all at once (form 21.033, with a copy of the foreign registration certificate and your work or study contract).

If you later leave Denmark and export a car that has paid full tax, you can apply for a refund. It equals the tax that would be due if the same car were imported, minus 15% – with at least 8,500 kr. deducted for a passenger car.

Is it worth it?

Work out the tax before you buy the car abroad. Then compare with what the same car costs when it is already registered in Denmark and the tax is paid – see used cars for sale.

Sources for this guide

Rules, rates and fees change. This guide was checked on 3 November 2026 against Motorstyrelsen on importing vehicles, Motorstyrelsen on vehicles with foreign plates and Life in Denmark. Always check the current rules there.