Buying a car in Belgium
Some formalities apply when buying a vehicle in Belgium, both before and after the sale. Here's what to expect.
Buying a new car in Belgium
If you want to buy a new car at a retailer, there are many dealerships across Belgium you can go to. What's great is negotiating a lower price is acceptable and common practice, so don't be afraid to ask for a better price.
Once you decide on a car, you'll receive a purchase order (bestelbon in Dutch and le bon de commande in French). The order indicates all the information related to the car and the sale; we recommend reading it carefully. It mentions the brand and car model, year of manufacture, options, color, price, discount, delivery date, loan subscription, and trade-in value for your previous vehicle if applicable. The purchase order is signed by both parties: the vendor and the buyer.
When you pick up the car, check that everything displayed on the purchase order is up-to-date. The vendor will give you an invoice and a certificate of conformity (gelijkvormigheidsattest in Dutch and certificat de conformité in French) guaranteeing the car is up-to-date with any technical specifications that are mandatory on the road. Finally, you'll get a form to register for a new license plate. The invoice needs to display:
- The car details (make, model, and year)
- Engine size
- Sale date
- Price (VAT not included)
- Rate and amount of VAT
- Price including VAT
If you buy a new car at a dealership, you'll have to pay a fee if you change your mind; the time period and exact fee will vary by each dealership. But if you buy it at the Auto Salon or another auto market (not a dealership), you get 14 days to change your mind without any consequences.
Buying a second-hand car in Belgium
When you buy a second-hand car from an individual in Belgium, we recommend that you check the car at a mechanic's shop. You should also check the registration documents (inschrijvingsbewijs in Dutch and certificat d'immatriculation in French). You can also buy a second-hand car from a professional retailer. In that case, the car has to be guaranteed for at least one year.
As for formalities, here are the documents you should receive from the vendor or seller:
- Invoice or bill of sale
- Registration certificate (pink form)
- Request for registration (inschrijving van voertuigen in Dutch and demande d'immatriculation - formulaire rose in French)
- Roadworthiness certificate (technische controle in Dutch and contrôle technique in French), done less than two months before the sale
- Car-Pass (the roadworthiness test center can create one for you), no older than two months
- Report on the condition of the car (gelijkvormigheidsattest in Dutch and rapport d'occasion in French)
- Certificate of conformity
- Certificate for the LPG installation (liquified petroleum gas) if the car has one
The invoice has to correspond with the original sale's one. If you buy from a retailer, it has to indicate the retailer's name, address, and VAT number. The invoice has to clearly indicate the sale's date, names, and contacts of any previous vendors and buyers, prices, payment conditions, car specificities, guarantee, and the trade-in value for a previous vehicle if applicable.
Taxation
If you buy second-hand cars from individuals, no VAT applies. However, professional vendors are subject to VAT. As for you, you'll have to pay the annual tax for circulation, applicable when buying a new car too.
Do note that if you buy an eco-friendly or electric car, you'll get a cut on road tax (verkeersbelasting in Dutch and taxe de circulation in French). You can also get up to 15% up from vendors for low-emission vehicles.
Insurance
The insurance disc is mandatory in Belgium in order to ask for a plate. You can ask for it from your insurance provider. You have to stick it on the pink form requesting a license plate.
Getting a license plate when buying a vehicle
The pink form, dedicated to the request, is usually given by vendors. If not, you can ask for it from your insurance provider or at the DIV (Direction for Vehicle Matriculation). This document is the one requesting a new license plate for your new car. The license plate allows you to circulate legally.
Buyers have to fill out the form. The document lets you choose between X1, X2, PX3, and P3 plates. More details are included on the form.
If your car is new, in addition to the pink form, you need a certificate, issued by the vendor or car manufacturer. This certificate has to include names, address, VAT number or BCE, date, and a signature by the vendor or manufacturer.
License plates: Prices
If you have an existing European license plate, you can keep the same number. This will cost you €26. Otherwise, a new registration will cost €30. You can pay it directly to Bpost, the Belgian postal bank.
What's next?
When receiving the license plate, verify that the reference indicated corresponds to the matriculation certificate delivered by the DIV. If it doesn't, contact the DIV on 32 277 30 50.
If everything corresponds, you can fix your plate on the back of the car and drive. A second license plate has to be made for the front of the car (not applicable for motorcycles). You can then legally drive.
