VEHICLE REGISTRATION IN AUSTRIA
Car registration
This English translation exclusively serves informational purposes. Solely the German version is binding.
What is a car registration?
In order to use your vehicle on public roads, you must have it authorised for public traffic. This authorisation is carried out at a vehicle registration office in the district where you live or where your company is based. With complete documentation, a vehicle registration is usually completed on the same day.
A vehicle registration is required for
- Cars incl. e-cars
- Motorbikes, mopeds & scooters
- Quads
- lorries
- Buses
- Motorhomes & campers
- Trailers for cars & lorries
- Tractors (towing vehicles)
The benefits of Allianz car registration?
New car registration
We will help you with the initial registration
of your newly purchased vehicle
Car deregistration
When purchasing a used vehicle or,
if applicable, when changing residence
What documents do I need for car registration?
If, for example, you want to register your new car or re-register a used motorbike, there are a few points to consider. It also makes a difference whether you are a private individual or are registering the vehicle for a company.
For special cases such as a registration for persons under the age of 18, all the necessary documents are summarised on oesterreich.gv.at. We have also described in detail what you need to bear in mind when registering foreign vehicles in Austria in our blog article.
Do you still need vehicle insurance?
Allianz My Car
Costs of car registration?
Depending on the vehicle, different costs are incurred for vehicle registration in Austria. For example, registering a car costs € 270.00 or € 299.50 with a cheque card registration certificate.
Detailed list of costs:
Stand: 01.07.2025
Good to know: Personalised number plates
If you want to give your car a personal touch with a customised number plate, you have to pay a few fees and charges. The costs for a personalised number plate in Austria are made up of various items:
A total of 235 euros is charged for the approval of a licence plate at the registration authority. This includes
- 200 Euro contribution to the Austrian Road Safety Fund
- 14 Euro administration costs
- 21 Euro application costs
When the time comes and the licence plate can be collected from the registration office, you will also have to pay 23 euros for the licence plates and - if it is a licence plate change - 2.30 euros for the inspection sticker. An optional cheque card registration certificate costs 29.50 euros.
The total cost for a new licence plate is therefore at least 258 euros (without the cheque card registration certificate).
For the renewal of an existing licence plate, 214 euros are due (200 euros fee + 14 euros administration costs).
When applying for a different licence plate, a further 235 euros will be charged (200 euros fee + 14 euros administration costs + 21 euros application costs).
If an existing licence plate is surrendered or exchanged for another one, the new licence plates cost 23 euros.
Frequently asked questions about car registration
- The following documents are required when registering a car or other motor vehicle:
- Official ID
- Vehicle authorisation document (type certificate, extract from the authorisation database or
- individual authorisation)
- Purchase contract or invoice
- Power of attorney (if you are not registering yourself)
- Leasing confirmation for leased vehicles
- Confirmation of insurance (motor vehicle liability)
- For private individuals: Query of the main place of residence (carried out by the registration office)
- For companies: Company register extract or trade licence
- For used vehicles: Positive §57a certificate, if already required (depending on the age of the vehicle)
Yes, you must already have motor vehicle liability insurance for the vehicle when you register it. No registration can take place without confirmation of insurance.
Here you can find the right motor vehicle insurance for your vehicle.
If all the documents are available, a vehicle registration is usually completed on the same day.
No, to register a vehicle in Austria, your main residence must also be in Austria. For persons without a main residence in Austria, certain deadlines apply for driving a vehicle registered abroad.
We have summarised all facts & deadlines relating to foreign vehicles in Austria in our blog article.
Yes, a car or other vehicle can be registered to two or more people. This is referred to as a "registration owner association". Each of these persons must be able to prove genuine ownership of the vehicle.
When moving house, it depends on whether the official abbreviation of the licence plate number changes or not. Depending on this, the vehicle must be re-registered or not. There are three variants:
- Authority abbreviation remains the same: The vehicle does not have to be re-registered.
- Authority abbreviation changes, authority remains the same: The change of address must be reported. New licence plates are issued. Costs are incurred for the new licence plates and the new inspection sticker.
- Authority abbreviation and authority change: The vehicle must be deregistered and re-registered. The costs of a new registration are incurred.
At best, the changes should be notified to the competent authority at the same time as the change of main residence.
Legal basis
Section 42 of the Motor Vehicle Act (KFG)
Licensing Authorities Ordinance (ZustV)
Yes, it is generally possible to keep the old licence plates when re-registering. It is important that the licence plate abbreviation and competent authority do not change.
If the registration certificate is lost, a declaration to the registration office is sufficient. In the event of theft, a theft report must be submitted to the police immediately. In both cases, a duplicate of the registration certificate will be issued.
If licence plates are lost or stolen, a report of loss or theft must be made immediately. New licence plates will then be issued. Until then, self-made replacement plates can be used, but for a maximum of one week.
The cost of a vehicle registration depends on the type of vehicle. For example, registering a car costs € 270.00 or € 299.50 with a cheque card registration certificate.
Detailed cost breakdown:
Detailed cost breakdown:
- Authorities' share: € 178.00
- Processing service: € 65.60
- Query central population register: € 1.10
- Inspection sticker: € 2.30
- Licence plates (if a new licence plate has to be issued):
- Car and lorry: € 23
- Motorbike: € 13
- Motorbike: € 8,50
- Trailer: € 11,50
- Cheque card registration certificate: € 29,50
Last update: 01.07.2025
In principle, up to 3 vehicles can be registered together with an interchangeable licence plate. However, it is essential that they are the same type of vehicle. For example, it is not possible to register a car and a motorbike on the same licence plate. An electric vehicle and a vehicle with an internal combustion engine can also only be registered on the same licence plate if no green electric licence plate is used. For more information and further details on registering interchangeable licence plates, please contact our registration offices.
With a personalised number plate, you can decide for yourself what you want to read on the number plate of a car or motorbike, subject to the specifications. Any letters and numbers can be chosen. Ridiculous or offensive combinations are not permitted.
Currently, the authorisation of a vanity plate costs € 228.30 (source: oesterreich.gv.at, as of 19.03.2025).
Our blog article summarises everything you need to know about vanity plates.
Disclaimer: Diese Übersicht ist unverbindlich und stellt lediglich einen Überblick dar.