How to Register Your Vehicle When You Don’t Have a Permanent Address

For non-residents or people without a permanent address, registering a vehicle can be quite complicated. Today, we’ll explain your options based on our firsthand experience.

Vehicle registration as a Perpetual Tourist or without residency in the country of registration is a broad topic on which there is little good, concise information available online. We have thoroughly researched this topic and summarized our findings in today’s article. The issue is not straightforward, as there are numerous aspects to consider that an average person with a fixed address might not even think about.

After all, simple registration isn’t enough. You also have to consider future requirements. And at the time of registration, numerous questions arise, such as the VAT that must be paid on the vehicle or tiny house, the regions of the world where we’ll be traveling, whether the vehicle will be used by more people, what types of insurance are available or required, and much more. Today we want to bring some order to this mess, explain our own strategies, and present in detail the “key points” for vehicle registration when you don’t have a clear residence because you live as a Perpetual Tourist.

To avoid complicating things further, we’re using the standard definition of a vehicle and won’t distinguish between regular cars, trucks, motorhomes, or camper vans. However, this article is specifically designed for the latter two categories. All too often, vehicle owners without a fixed residence end up paying for registrations or shouldering tax obligations that weren’t necessary, simply due to a lack of knowledge.

Note 1: If you’re interested in learning the details about the new expedition vehicle of Christoph soon you’ll find an article on this blog about the van life and overlanding lifestyle. But here, between the lines of this article, we’re giving you a sneak peek at 6 images of the project. As you can easily see, it’s a custom-built RAM pickup truck. The 425 hp effortlessly propels the fixed carbon fiber cabin to 180 km/h with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons. After nearly 18 months of planning and construction, Christoph finally has his little “toy” for overland exploration.

Note 2: After discovering during our research that there are hardly any insurance policies for motorhomes and caravans for people without a fixed address—or that existing policies have many requirements—we’ve decided to take action. We are pleased to finally be able to offer you, through our partners, a much-needed insurance solution: liability and comprehensive insurance for motorhomes and caravans without the need for a fixed address. This offer is complemented by home insurance, whether for tiny houses or larger vacation properties. You can find information about the insurance here.

Basic information on how a change of residence affects your vehicle and driver’s license, and challenges regarding vehicle registration in the EU

If you have a fixed residence, this issue will not affect you or will only concern you in part. In principle, you must and can register your vehicle in the country of your primary residence. If you want to drive in that same country, you have no other legal option. If you move, for example, from Spain to Portugal, you must exchange your Spanish license plate for a Portuguese one.

As a general rule, you can use a foreign license plate for up to 90 consecutive days in an EU country before you must register it locally. In the case of driver’s licenses, you generally do not need to take any action until it is time for renewal, a process you will need to complete according to the regulations of your new country of residence within the EU.

Just as it is possible to use a driver’s license issued by a country outside the EU even if you are a resident of an EU country, you can also use a non-EU license plate. However, both cases only apply if the intended use of your vehicle takes place outside the borders of the European Union.

If, for example, you’re planning a boat trip to North America with a route from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, remote registration through Montana in the United States could be very useful. If you plan to drive through Russia to the Pacific, it might be better to take advantage of the options offered by registration in Georgia. Of course, you can also keep your registration valid in the EU or even acquire a “passport” for your vehicle, the so-called Carnet de Passages, which we’ll discuss later.

However, if you don’t have a permanent address or if your residence is outside the EU and you want to use your vehicle within the EU, things get complicated. Although you can drive in the EU with a non-EU license plate, you must be aware of the restrictions. With a non-EU license plate, you can generally drive throughout the European Union for a maximum of 6 consecutive months. The 6-month limit does not apply per country, but to the entire EU territory. Officially, during this time, the vehicle may only be driven by its owner. Under no circumstances should the vehicle be driven by EU residents, as this could lead to VAT issues. If you purchased the car in the EU and paid value-added tax (VAT), you have the advantage that it is considered “Union goods,” so this VAT issue does not apply, though all other restrictions do. Simply affixing non-EU license plates does not mean the vehicle is considered non-Union goods.

One point to keep in mind is that, in principle, you can apply for a VAT refund when you export the car outside the EU, transferring it to a non-EU country and proving your status as a non-EU resident.

However, this is only possible if the vehicle purchase included deductible VAT (typically on new cars or certain business sales), which in practice excludes most used vehicles.

EU Rules for Registration and Use Without Residency

For anyone residing in a non-EU European country, the rule is clear: you may take regular road trips and return within 6 months, or, in the case of longer absences, leave your car at home.

However, the situation becomes more complicated for people residing outside Europe who do not live full-time in their vehicle. The clock keeps ticking against you if the car is in the EU but you are not. Additionally, non-EU European countries have their own rules regarding how long a car registered abroad can remain on their territory without incurring penalties. Often, this is only 90 days or even less.

In practice, this means that in these cases, you can’t simply spend a long winter in Asia and then just return to your car in Europe as if nothing had happened.

This can certainly be resolved with proper planning, and as a full-time camper, it’s less of an issue. But you definitely want to avoid a forced import into the EU with the corresponding import and value-added taxes. That’s why it can make a lot of sense to register your car remotely in an EU country if your intention is to use it primarily within its borders.

Of course, this involves paying all the usual value-added taxes. If the vehicle was purchased outside the EU, it must be imported and taxed accordingly. Anyone buying their car outside the EU should ensure they don’t have to pay taxes twice. Generally, you can reclaim local taxes in the country of purchase if the car is permanently exported.

By the way, paying value-added tax does not guarantee future tax exemption. Germany, for example, is known for re-taxing used motorhomes originally purchased in Germany that have been driven outside the EU for several years when they are re-imported. In any case, it is important to research this thoroughly in advance.

Why it is often advantageous for nomads to register their vehicle in the EU

For simplicity’s sake, let’s assume a vehicle is purchased in the EU and will be used there. Unfortunately, there is no uniform legislation in this area either. Each EU member state has different import and value-added taxes, which are not mutually recognized.

If you buy a car in Germany to use it in Spain, the procedure depends on whether it is new or used. For used vehicles, there is no VAT refund or new VAT payment, as it is already included in the price. For new vehicles, VAT is paid in the destination country, i.e., in Spain. Only in the case of export outside the EU can a VAT refund be requested in the country of origin.

However, value-added tax cannot be avoided when registering the vehicle within the EU; at most, it can be offset. Whether it is worthwhile to operate an EU company solely for this reason depends, in turn, largely on the nature of the business activity.

Those who must pay value-added tax in the EU anyway can enjoy certain tax advantages with a company vehicle in the right country; however, these advantages lose their appeal compared to tax-exempt and accounting-free foreign structures due to the inevitable corporate taxation, accounting, balance sheets, and regulation.

Generally, it is wiser to simply accept the value-added tax if you wish to take advantage of the benefits of an EU registration.

However, as always, exceptions prove the rule: Bulgaria, a country we will explain in greater detail later, waives the value-added tax on imported vehicles if it can be demonstrated that they originate from another EU country.

The main advantage is that with registration in an EU country, the rule requiring the vehicle to remain within the European Union for six months no longer applies. You can drive throughout the year within the EU, provided you adhere to the 90-day limit per country.

In the EU country of registration, the vehicle can be driven year-round and, of course, can also remain parked. Therefore, even in the case of frequent and extended absences, you don’t need to keep track of the time and can return at any time to use your vehicle with complete peace of mind.

Other family members and friends, regardless of whether they reside in the EU or not, can also use the EU-registered vehicle without any issues. Since Christoph’s expedition vehicle will also be used by family members and close friends, this was an important reason for considering EU registration.

Of course, registration raises other issues that we will discuss in the chapters specific to each country. You need to consider liability insurance, which is almost always required worldwide, but also many other country-specific excise taxes, emissions standards, or inspection rules. To illustrate this, let’s use Christoph’s vehicle as an example and show how the decision was made regarding where to establish his vehicle’s official residence (i.e., where to plant the flag).

The Strategy Itself

Ultimately, Christoph’s expedition vehicle will be registered in Germany. The chapter for each country explains exactly how this works. Because, although little remains of the “car nation” that Germany once was, it offers an excellent opportunity to register your vehicle without having a fixed residence anywhere in the world.

The “Empfangsbevollmächtigung,” something we could translate as “authorization of receipt,” makes this possible, but it comes with a few minor challenges that need to be resolved.

How is it possible that a country with so much bureaucracy, so many taxes, and so many regulations as Germany—a country that Christoph often rails against in his comments and for which he sees so little future—is the country chosen to plant the flag of the vehicle’s registration?

Those who live and structure their lives according to the Flag Theory are not guided by likes or dislikes; as we often say, “we don’t choose countries out of patriotism or antipathy; we see countries for what they are: large companies offering their services.”

Thus, after a neutral and rational analysis, it turns out that Germany offers, compared to the rest of the world, the best subjective conditions (for Christoph) for registration as a Perpetual Tourist.

By the way, if you were wondering, there are other interesting flags we can plant in Germany, for example, that of the banks (banks, of course, are not for hoarding money, but for spending it; remember that money is invested, not saved!).

Of course, this registration doesn’t have to be permanent. At the latest when the vehicle leaves the EU, it is very likely that the vehicle will obtain a non-EU registration or simply be deregistered in Germany and travel with a Carnet de Passages (we’ll explain this later).

However, for the first two or three years, Christoph plans to explore Europe in detail, with the occasional trip to North Africa.

Unlike many long-term nomadic campers, the expedition motorhome isn’t designed for continuous use. Just like Christoph’s catamaran, it’s a mobile means to enjoy more freedom, but not to tie oneself to it and make it the permanent center of life. Christoph doesn’t like to tie himself to anything, not even a mobile vehicle.

In any case, the vehicle shouldn’t sit idle in a parking spot. If Christoph goes on a trip, he plans to let his closest circle of family and friends use the vehicle, so it’s on the move almost constantly. However, since some of these people have their primary residence in the EU, using it without an EU license plate is risky from a tax perspective.

In the event of extended downtime, it will be safely stored in suitable parking facilities in Germany, since from the heart of Europe, you can easily reach a wide variety of regions. And although the registration of modified expedition vehicles in Germany is strict, it is relatively easy (much easier than in other EU countries). On the other hand, no one usually suspects a vehicle with German registration (unlike what can happen with Eastern European license plates), and in Germany there is affordable comprehensive insurance that would actually pay out in the event of an accident.

Vehicle Registration: We’re Planting Our Flag (At Least Temporarily) in Germany

Let’s start with a fundamental point: registering your vehicle in a country poses no problem regarding tax residency. No vehicle, even if it is permanently located in Germany (or any other country), constitutes a center of vital interests. Not even if it is suitable for living in. Thus, registering a vehicle in Germany does not imply tax residency there. To have your center of life in Germany, you would need to have a permanent residence with a place to sleep at a fixed location for more than 6 months.

In addition to general registration issues, the topic of value-added tax is one of the main arguments against other EU countries. Since the vehicle was purchased in Germany, modified in Germany, and had the living cabin installed in Germany, value-added tax has already been applied in all cases. Registration in EU countries such as the Czech Republic or Luxembourg would resolve many of the issues mentioned at the beginning, but it would result in a new obligation to pay value-added tax in those countries.

It is true that you can apply for a refund of the German value-added tax, but this involves a lot of red tape and long waiting times. Since the value-added tax is quite high for a vehicle with an approximate value of €350,000, Christoph has preferred not to have to deal with it. On the other hand, German VAT is 19%, a relatively low rate compared to the rest of the EU.

In Bulgaria, no additional value-added tax is applied, but registration requires additional checks, and handling the import, technical approval, and annual inspections in Bulgaria is quite a hassle.

Vehicle registration in Germany through an authorized representative (the “Empfangsbevollmächtigung” we mentioned earlier) also has its own challenges, but these can be practically resolved thanks to Germany’s decentralized registration system.

And that is how we have come to the conclusion that we really should register the vehicle in Germany.

Digression: Carnet de Passages

After exploring Scandinavia, Western Europe, and North Africa, the expedition vehicle’s route will likely head east until reaching the Pacific and shipping to North America. Africa beyond the Sahara isn’t very interesting to Christoph, who has already extensively traveled through all African countries on long road trips. So his excursions will be based in Europe during the winter months and will likely be limited to Morocco and Western Sahara, Mauritania, Tunisia, and possibly Algeria. Rather than West or East Africa, he is much more interested in destinations like Turkey, Iran, the Arabian Peninsula, the five Stans, Mongolia, and Russia. The expedition vehicle is specially designed for deserts and steppes.

This brings us to the topic of the “Carnet de Passages,” a vehicle’s passport. In most European countries and those bordering Europe, this document is not required. Even in North African Saharan countries, such as Morocco and Mauritania, it is not necessary. Therefore, it is likely that for the first two or three years, you won’t need to worry about this issue. However, in many countries, especially further east, problems begin to arise at some point without the Carnet. Since obtaining this Carnet can replace the need to re-register the vehicle in another country, let’s examine this topic in detail.

The Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) is a document recognized by customs that allows a motor vehicle to be temporarily imported into another country without paying duties or taxes. It functions as an international customs pass for the vehicle and contains the vehicle’s information, as well as predefined entry and exit documents (vouchers).

Each time the border is crossed, a page is removed from the booklet and stamped by the customs authorities of the country of entry to confirm the temporary import and subsequent re-export. The Carnet de Passages is typically valid for 12 months from the date of issue and can be used during that time to cross the border as many times as desired in the countries it covers. The carnet does not provide insurance coverage, so you must purchase separate liability insurance for use abroad (for example, border insurance when crossing the border, which can often be purchased directly on the other side of the border).

When purchasing the permit, the vehicle owner must deposit a security deposit or bank guarantee in their country of origin, typically for a percentage of the vehicle’s value (depending on the highest customs risk of the destination countries). This security deposit guarantees to the customs authorities of the destination countries that any import duties will be paid in the event the vehicle is not re-exported. If the vehicle is properly re-exported, the permit holder recovers the full security deposit.

Thanks to this system, travelers with a permit do not have to pay import duties or local taxes at the border, which significantly simplifies entry into the country. Without the Carnet, it would be necessary to obtain a temporary import permit in each country with a local deposit, the refund of which can often take weeks or months.

For Perpetual Tourists, the Carnet de Passage offers, of course, enormous advantages. It functions as a single travel document for the vehicle and significantly streamlines border formalities. Especially on round-the-world trips by vehicle, the carnet eliminates the need to apply for separate Temporary Import Permits in each country and to post a cash bond in each case. This also streamlines border formalities.

The carnet is necessary above all outside of Europe. In many countries in Africa and Asia, it is mandatory, while in other regions it is voluntary but recommended to avoid problems or administrative procedures at the border. Some examples: In Asia, for instance, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Nepal require a carnet, and in Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, etc. Although not mandatory, it is almost always recommended.

In Germany, the permit can be obtained from the ADAC, but with very high security deposits, which often amount to a large portion of the vehicle’s value. Despite German registration, it is not mandatory to apply for the permit in Germany. The Czech Automobile Club appears to issue permits with much lower security deposits, even to German motorhomes traveling around the world. The relevant information can be found online and will not be discussed in depth here.

Comparison of Countries and Vehicle Registration Options

The Authorization of Receipt (Empfangsbevollmächtigung) in Germany

As we have already mentioned, vehicle registration is usually tied to the place of residence. However, Section 46(2) of the Vehicle Registration Regulation (FZV) also allows for exceptions: “If there is no domicile within the national territory, […] the authority at the place of residence or stay of an authorized representative shall be competent.”

Specifically, this means that anyone without a fixed residence in Germany can designate an authorized representative—that is, a person with a residence in Germany who will receive official mail. The vehicle will then be registered at the registration office in their place of residence.

In practice, you must go to the registration office and submit the “authorization of receipt” form. It is likely that the staff will not be familiar with this special case, so you should politely explain the legal basis to them and, if necessary, consult the head of the department. However, with a little persistence, it is possible to register a car without having a permanent address in this way.

Experience shows that this is much easier in large cities than in smaller municipalities; Munich and Nuremberg, for example, are very familiar with this issue (Christoph’s delivery vehicle is registered in Nuremberg). If you are unsuccessful in one district, there are hundreds more to choose from, provided you know someone who can act as an authorized representative.

Basically, you’ll need the usual documents (vehicle paperwork, eVB number (insurance confirmation), ID), as well as the authorized representative with their proof of residence and the completed form. Important: you’ll be listed on the documents as the vehicle owner (with the address c/o the authorized representative), which is essential for crossing the EU’s external borders. If you don’t need to cross EU borders, of course, you could register your vehicle through a trusted person (friends or family, for example). You don’t need to be present; the recipient’s presence is sufficient.

The advantages of registering in Germany are clear, even setting aside VAT-related issues. As mentioned, German registration is fully recognized and has a good reputation in Europe; you receive the green card (internationally valid liability insurance), and the vehicle can be used throughout Europe.

Having an EU license plate is also advantageous for travel abroad, as driving permits or border insurance for EU countries can be obtained without any issues.

As for taxes, you pay the standard German road tax, which is considered quite low compared to the rest of the EU.

Since the owner’s address is in Germany, all technical inspections must be performed there (general inspection every 2 years). This means the vehicle must return to Germany at least once every two years. Work is underway on the mutual recognition of inspection centers across Europe, with the aim of allowing technical inspections to be performed abroad as well; we’ll see how that develops. On the other hand, generally failing the technical inspection in Germany (or Europe) is not grounds for immobilization outside the EU.

The insurance issue is complicated, but fortunately we have found a good solution that allows even perpetual travelers to have valid liability insurance and even comprehensive insurance as owners.

The alternative in the EU: registration in Bulgaria

Formally, Bulgaria also requires that the owner reside in the country or that the registration be under a company. Therefore, the usual solution for non-residents in Bulgaria is: to establish a Bulgarian company and register the vehicle in its name. We have already discussed in the past the many options offered by Bulgaria and companies there.

Any EU citizen (including non-EU citizens) can easily set up a company in Bulgaria. In this case, we would choose an OOD (comparable to a limited liability company) and register it for the sole purpose of maintaining the vehicle. The company does not have to engage in active commercial activities and does not generate taxes, provided no profits are made.

Once the company is incorporated, the vehicle is registered in Bulgaria in the company’s name, and the corresponding Bulgarian license plates are obtained. With a cost of between €500 and €1,000, this is a viable option for an inactive company.

Additionally, it is also possible to register as a resident in Bulgaria without any issues, since the obligation to pay taxes only applies after a stay of 183 days.

Ideally, the vehicle should be purchased directly in the company’s name so that it is clearly registered to the company. It is also possible to later transfer a vehicle you have already purchased in your own name to your company, but this requires additional steps at the German registration office in the event of a technical inspection or transfer of ownership. Bulgaria has the particularity that VAT paid in other EU countries is recognized and is not levied again.

The ideal choice in the right context

A decisive advantage in Bulgaria is the low operating costs: road tax is considerably lower than in Western Europe. Insurance rates are also generally cheaper in Bulgaria. Another unique feature is that many older vehicles that could not be registered in countries like Germany, Spain, or France due to strict emissions standards or issues with the technical inspection of vehicles can often be registered in Bulgaria.

In fact, until recently, there was no periodic emissions inspection for passenger cars; although technical inspections are conducted, experience shows that they are less restrictive. This can be attractive, for example, for older-model motorhomes or expedition vehicles.

Additionally, with Bulgarian EU license plates, you also gain full freedom of movement in Europe, with no border tariffs within the EU and insurance coverage in Europe via the Green Card.

The initial costs are reasonable, especially if you can avoid a country with a higher registration tax, where you would have to pay high taxes upon first registration.

The biggest disadvantage is how other EU member states view this arrangement. If, for example, a Spanish citizen regularly drives in Spain with a Bulgarian license plate, the authorities may cause problems. Officially, it is prohibited for a resident of Spain (or any other country) to drive a foreign vehicle (including one from another EU country) for an extended period.

In this case, although the car formally belongs to the Bulgarian company, the company in turn belongs to you, so this is a legally risky arrangement.

Another practical disadvantage: the vehicle must undergo an annual technical inspection in Bulgaria. So, depending on where you plan to travel, the Bulgarian option isn’t equally suitable for all situations, but it can be the ideal setup for the right projects.

Other Options in the EU

According to our research, non-residents can also register their vehicles locally in the Czech Republic and Luxembourg, for example. In both countries, there are professional service providers who handle this process.

The Czech Republic issues temporary import permits at particularly low prices, as we’ve already mentioned.

Luxembourg, on the other hand, offers numerous interesting legal structures for asset protection, within which you can include and protect your valuable vehicle. However, in practice, there are issues with value-added tax if the vehicle isn’t purchased locally, as well as relatively high registration fees and requirements. Nevertheless, it is very useful to be aware of these other options and to research them further if necessary.

Remote Registration Through a Montana LLC

A very popular registration option among motorhome owners comes from the United States: registration through a Montana LLC.

The state of Montana does not impose any sales tax on vehicles and has very low registration fees. No periodic technical inspections are required there, not even for the initial registration. This creates a legal loophole: you form an LLC (limited liability company) in Montana—which can be done in a single day without needing to reside in the U.S.—and register the vehicle in the name of this company. The LLC is the legal owner, and the vehicle receives a Montana license plate. This can result in enormous tax savings, especially for motorhomes or expensive sports cars, or even make illegally modified vehicles “road legal.”

Example: A $300,000 motorhome would be subject to approximately $18,000 in sales tax in Florida, whereas in Montana it would be $0.

One-time registration fees in Montana, even for luxury RVs, are typically only a few hundred dollars per year (for new vehicles), decrease as the vehicle ages, and are eliminated after 11 years in favor of a permanent license plate.

For extremely high-priced vehicles—over $300,000—an additional $800 annual surcharge applies until the 11th year, but this is still much cheaper than many state taxes elsewhere. Registrations for classic cars or trailers are also available at an affordable price.

In summary: the Montana LLC method allows you to register a vehicle in the U.S. without being a U.S. resident and avoid virtually all state taxes. Of course, we can help you form your LLC in the U.S. and answer any other questions you may have.

The advantages of the Montana LLC option are clear. For non-U.S. citizens, registration in Montana can be the key to registering a vehicle in the United States (since standard registration typically requires a U.S. driver’s license and residency in the country). The vehicle then bears a U.S. license plate and is generally treated internationally as a U.S. vehicle, which is ideal, for example, for a trip along the Pan-American Highway. In the U.S., insurance can be purchased without any issues, even for foreigners.

However, within the U.S. itself, this practice is controversial. Many states consider it a clear case of tax evasion when their own residents drive permanently with Montana license plates. States such as California, Colorado, and Washington, among others, specifically investigate these cases and impose fines for late payments and even file criminal charges. However, this primarily affects people with permanent residency in a specific U.S. state.

As a perpetual traveler, of course, you can move around here without entering any gray areas, since you can argue that you have no residence anywhere else. Practical disadvantages only arise here if your travel route or planned stays do not fit the requirements.

In Europe, for example, the vehicle is logically considered non-EU, so the six-month rule must be taken into account again, and, if necessary, permits must be obtained for certain countries. Furthermore, Montana has already gained notoriety as a “workaround”; increased checks (and media attention) raise the long-term risk of authorities taking action.

However, the crux of the matter is that, although registration in Montana does not require a technical inspection, the vehicle must have been purchased in the United States or officially imported. Without an official import, it is not possible to register it even in Montana. For this reason, this solution, attractive in itself, was not an option for us. It is primarily a solution for traveling within the Americas.

Anyone wishing to drive it in Europe must purchase the vehicle directly in the United States or have it modified and then shipped to Europe. Despite shipping costs, this can be much more economical, as new vehicles—especially those from American manufacturers—typically cost significantly less than their European counterparts.

Once again, the United States offers a great solution, but it isn’t suitable for everyone.

Tourist Registration in Andorra

In Andorra, you can register your car with a temporary tourist license plate. The license plate (Matricula Turistica, MT) is renewable annually and has long been an attractive legal loophole for EU citizens, since Andorra, although part of the Schengen Area, is not an EU member, has low taxes, and has largely been able to circumvent EU regulations.

However, Andorra has recently tightened the conditions. Now, vehicles must be from 2016 or later (Euro 5/Euro 6) to qualify for MT registration. Older or even modified motorhomes face difficulties, as Andorra apparently prefers that new vehicles be sold within the country. Furthermore, there is only a very limited selection of insurance options for MT motorhome registration, which drives up premiums and makes the situation quite risky. With older motorhomes and special modifications also ruled out, the target group for whom this solution might be appealing is narrowed.

If you bring a vehicle from abroad into Andorra, import duties of nearly 4% apply. The costs are generally lower than, for example, the 20% VAT in EU countries, but they still exist.

Selling the vehicle poses an obstacle: a vehicle with an MT registration is considered imported from outside the EU. If an EU citizen wants to buy it and register it in the EU, they would have to pay between 10% and 30% in import duties plus taxes, depending on the country. Furthermore, Andorra stipulates that an MT-registered vehicle cannot simply be transferred to another non-resident when sold, but must be sold to a habitual Andorran resident or exported (cleared through customs). The same applies in the event of a move to the EU.

In special cases, Andorra may still be a viable solution, but following recent restrictions, we believe this option is no longer as attractive. It may be a viable solution primarily for new cars, especially sports cars, which are also purchased directly in Andorra.

Georgia, a Car-Friendly Country

Much more interesting is Georgia, which in many ways is a first-class destination for perpetual travelers. The same applies to vehicle registration. As a foreigner, you can purchase vehicles in Georgia without any issues and register them in your name, without needing residency or a residence permit in the country. No address in Georgia is required, nor are there restrictive visa conditions: a valid passport is sufficient.

In short: as a tourist who does not live in Georgia, you can register a car there. For this reason, many long-term travelers use Georgia as a “flag state” for their vehicle.

Import duties and taxes on vehicles are very low in Georgia, especially for used cars between 4 and 7 years old and those with larger engine displacements. This makes it attractive to register a powerful 4×4 there, for example, since you pay far less in taxes than in the EU. There are no annual taxes or fees on vehicles (no road tax), and, as of now, there is no requirement for periodic technical inspections for private vehicles.

As a result, Georgia is also a well-known hub for used car distribution: you can ship your vehicle from Europe or the United States to Georgia, where it is cleared and registered. An alternative is to drive to Georgia using temporary export plates (EU transit plates), though keep in mind that some neighboring countries (such as Russia) do not simply allow unregistered transit vehicles to enter.

In Georgia, you must purchase local liability insurance (OSAGO), but many policies automatically include a “Green Card” valid throughout Europe. In other words, you receive an international insurance card that serves as liability coverage in all Green Card countries (including the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, Russia, etc.). Thus, with a Georgian license plate, you can drive without issues throughout Europe and neighboring regions without having to purchase new insurance at every border.

However, keep in mind that non-EU vehicles are subject to the six-month rule mentioned above: they may only be driven by non-EU residents; otherwise, you run the risks mentioned at the beginning. For a Perpetual Tourist who does not have EU residency, this is not a critical issue; however, for an EU resident, driving a car registered in Georgia within the EU would be illegal. Nevertheless, for Perpetual Tourists who do not lend their vehicle to EU citizens, this arrangement is undoubtedly very attractive.

Until recently, it was possible to obtain a driver’s license in Georgia in just a few days without needing residency, and for all possible categories. Unfortunately, the Georgian government put an end to this practice in mid-2025, and residency is now required. However, it remains relatively easy to obtain residency in Georgia. Thus, nothing will stand in your way of obtaining a driver’s license quickly and cheaply.

As with vehicles, EU residents can only legally use that driver’s license outside the EU, since they need an EU driver’s license to drive within the EU. However, those who can prove they reside outside the EU can drive legally not only in the EU but worldwide with the Georgian international driver’s license.

Other Possible Options

Of course, you can also simply arrange a paper residence and register your vehicle there. To do this, the ideal scenario is, of course, to purchase the vehicle there or simply be able to transport it there. Depending on the region of the world where it will be used, this could be, for example, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Paraguay, or Thailand.

In all these places, registering a vehicle with local residency is relatively straightforward, as is obtaining a residence permit. Dubai, in particular, is now known for the inexpensive purchase of expensive vehicles, their modification, and their transport around the world. Unlike Georgia, this isn’t possible without residency, but visa options in the UAE are easily feasible for most international travelers.

The Golden Visa, which has no minimum entry requirements—for example, through a real estate investment of $550,000—remains very popular. But there are also numerous more affordable visas for self-employed individuals, through free zone companies, or for retirees with a minimum pension or capital income.

Ready to go?

We’d be delighted to help you find the ideal place to register your vehicle. All our advisory services are tailored to your individual needs and, of course, your travel itinerary. Just get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to advise you, drawing on our nearly 10 years of experience in international diversification. In addition to all global tax and bureaucratic matters, thanks to our own experience, we are now also experts in vehicle registration and related issues.