How to register a car in Slovakia? Basic procedure and documents

Did you buy a new car or bring one from abroad? In that case, one more formality awaits you – registering the vehicle with the Slovak Vehicle Registry. This article will guide you through the necessary documents and process.

Prepare basic documents for car registration

Whether you’re registering the vehicle in person or electronically, you must do so within 30 days of acquiring the vehicle, and you will need the following documents: ● A valid identity document
● Registration certificate part II (the so-called “large technical certificate”)
● Proof of compulsory third-party liability insurance (PZP)
● For legal entities, an extract from the Commercial Register
● Certified authorization from the leasing company (after the end of leasing)
● Administrative fee
● Certified authorization proving that you are the new owner of the vehicle (in the case of transfer from another person), which is not required if: you are present in person at the transfer, you are a direct relative of the previous owner, or the authorization was sent electronically in advance.

If you bought the car from an official dealer, they can handle the entire registration process for you. Registering a car bought abroad is somewhat more complicated. In this case, you need to arrange transit plates in the country where you bought the car, valid until you receive Slovak plates. For purchases outside the EU, you must also pay customs and VAT. You can view the complete procedure on the Slovensko.sk portal.

Which offices are involved in vehicle registration?

Vehicle registration in Slovakia takes place at the relevant transport inspectorate. The first step is to submit a registration application, which requires you to present all prepared documents.

After applying, a technical inspection of the vehicle follows. This inspection is intended to verify the technical condition and consistency of the vehicle with the information stated in the documents. Once the vehicle passes inspection, a technical certificate and a registration number are assigned. The technical certificate is like a birth certificate for your vehicle – it contains all the important details that characterize it. The registration number is like its identity card, identifying it in road traffic.

Good to know: It’s most beneficial to register a car electronically. In this case, the license plates cost half as much, and the registration tax on the car is reduced by 50%, with a maximum reduction of €50.

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