Tired of public transport in Poland (which, by the way, is said to be excellent)? Cars are not the most eco-friendly option, but they are definitely comfortable means of transport. If you feel that you need one in Poland, read about foreigner's guide to buying a car.

Your purchase

You may be relieved to learn that there are no restrictions on foreigners when it comes to buying cars or other vehicles. You are free to buy your dream car either from a dealer or a used one. With the latter option, you have a few paths to choose from a dealership, resale centers, or individual sellers, e.g. via the Internet. In the second case, make sure you check the overall condition of the vehicle, oil, tires, and engine.

Documents you get

Once the transaction is complete, you will get a set which ought to include:

• vehicle history card
• registration document
• insurance policy (if still valid)
• car keys (usually two sets)

After the purchase, you have 30 days to register the new car.

Vehicle registration

To register your newly bought car, one needs to visit the communication department at a town hall (or a local council – powiat office). The new owners should also bring along:

• vehicle registration application form
• ID (passport is also possible) with visa or residence card
• vehicle ownership proof (contract, VAT invoice, or final court decision)
• registration document
• vehicle history card (if there is one)
• license plates
• proof of temporary registered address in Poland
• proxy form (if you use a proxy who e.g. helps you with Polish)

All the documents should be original and in Polish (if in other languages, certified translations should be included).

How much?

The full cost if you buy new license plates should not exceed around PLN 180. If you have your own plates, it should be less. However, there might be some individual cases where registering a car may cost much more.

Once all this is taken care of, you will get a temporary registration document and within a month or so you should receive its proper version.