Rules for driving a car with foreign license plates in the Netherlands

March 1, 2025

Are you allowed to drive in the Netherlands with a foreign license plate?

No! Driving a car with a foreign license plate is not allowed in the Netherlands. The basic rule is simple: if you are registered in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) and you use the car structurally in the Netherlands, then you must have the car registered directly with the RDW – the former Rijksdienst Wegverkeer – so that you get a Dutch license plate for your car.

You must then also pay bpm and motor vehicle tax. This obligation is based on the Road Traffic Act and the Taxation of Passenger Cars and Motorcycles Act (bpm). For tourists and other foreign visitors, the rules are more lenient. They may temporarily drive in the Netherlands with their car with a foreign license plate.

What are the rules for residents of the Netherlands?

As a resident of the Netherlands – that is, if you are registered in the BRP – you are required to import your car with a foreign license plate and have it registered in the Netherlands. To do this, you must have the car technically inspected by the RDW.

Entering: inspecting and registering

Before importing a car from abroad, the RDW – the official Dutch inspection authority – will check if your car meets Dutch requirements for safety and technical suitability. Once your car is approved, you must file a bpm declaration, as you will probably have to pay that tax as well.

The amount of the bpm depends on the CO2 emissions and the age of your car. After RDW approval, you must apply for a Dutch registration certificate and have license plates made. Only once these are on your car and your car is insured can you hit the road. The whole process usually takes several weeks. Keep in mind costs for the inspection and license plates often add up to between 500 and 1,000 euros. You are also required to pay motor vehicle tax (mrb) from the moment you use the car in the Netherlands. If you do not register your car in time, you risk fines and additional taxes, because the tax authorities will check.

What are the rules for foreign cars in the Netherlands?

Tourists and temporary visitors are allowed to use a car with foreign license plates in the Netherlands. They have exemption based on international law if they meet several conditions and they do not use the car structurally in the Netherlands – depending on the situation three or six months per year. If you are here temporarily for internship, study or work, you may continue to drive your car with a foreign license plate. If you are registered as a foreigner in the BRP, then you are considered a resident of the Netherlands and Dutch rules apply.

Company car with a foreign license plate

Are you a Dutchman working for a foreign company and driving a company car with a foreign license plate? Then the rules are strict. You may only use this car in the Netherlands if you can prove that you use the car primarily for work abroad. For this, you can apply for an employee exemption under certain conditions. If you have a sole proprietorship or partnership abroad and drive a company car, you can apply for an employer exemption under certain conditions. You must then use the car at least 50% outside the Netherlands. Without this exemption, you risk penalties and the tax authorities can levy bpm and mrb on the use of the car in the Netherlands.

Waivers and exemptions

The Internal Revenue Service offers exemptions based on European law that apply to specific situations. An exemption for short-term use applies for two consecutive weeks. You can also apply for exemption from bpm if you take your car with you when moving from abroad to the Netherlands. Applying for an exemption or dispensation usually requires extensive documentation. Inquire about the conditions with the Tax Office in advance.

What are the penalties for violating the rules?

Failure to comply with the rules for cars with foreign license plates can result in hefty fines of up to 500 euros per violation. The Tax Office can also impose additional levies for bpm and mrb, sometimes with retroactive effect. The police and tax authorities regularly check vehicles with foreign license plates. When in doubt, they often ask for additional documentation, such as an employer’s statement or an exemption.

Import costs and concerns

Besides the costs for bpm and the inspection at the RDW, you must take into account additional expenses. Some foreign cars require some technical modifications to comply with Dutch law. You must also take out at least third-party insurance before you can use the car. And remember to have important documents such as the proof of purchase and an export certificate in your possession.