Vehicle registration in Poland

Before registration you must have a compulsory third-party liability insurance policy (OC) for the vehicle.

Brand-new vehicle

You must take out OC before collecting the vehicle from the dealership or at the latest on the day of registration.

Second-hand vehicle from Poland

The OC policy transfers to the new owner together with the vehicle. You may continue it or cancel it and take out a new policy.

Vehicle from abroad

Foreign OC is not recognised in Poland for registration purposes — you must take out a Polish OC policy.

You can buy an OC policy online, by phone or through an insurance agent.

To register a brand-new vehicle from a dealership you need:

• Purchase invoice from the dealership
• Vehicle card (karta pojazdu) — issued by the dealership
• EC certificate of conformity (or certificate of conformity) — issued by the manufacturer
• OC insurance policy — taken out in the previous step
• Identity document — identity card or passport

The dealership usually prepares all documents and assists with registration.

To re-register a second-hand vehicle bought in Poland you need:

• Sale agreement (or invoice, gift deed, court order)
• Vehicle registration certificate with a valid technical inspection
• Vehicle card (karta pojazdu) — if one was issued
• Number plates — the existing plates
• OC insurance policy — continued from the seller or a new one
• Identity document — identity card or passport

You have 30 days from the date of acquiring the vehicle to report the acquisition and re-register it.

Registering a vehicle imported from abroad requires more documents:

• Sale agreement or invoice (original + sworn translation)
• Foreign registration certificate (original + sworn translation)
• Customs clearance document — for vehicles from outside the EU
• Proof of excise duty payment — for passenger cars (issued by the Customs and Tax Office)
• Certificate of roadworthiness from a Polish vehicle inspection station (SKP)
• Polish OC insurance policy
• Identity document — identity card or passport
• Foreign number plates — to be surrendered at registration

You must report the acquisition of the vehicle at the county office (starostwo) within 30 days of bringing it to Poland.

You submit the vehicle registration application in person at the vehicle registration office (wydział komunikacji) of the county office (starostwo powiatowe) or city hall with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

What happens on site?

1. The official checks that the documents are complete
2. Verifies the vehicle in the CEPiK system
3. Collects registration fees
4. Issues a temporary permit (temporary registration) and a windscreen sticker

At some offices you can book an appointment online.

After submitting the application the office issues:

• Temporary permit (temporary registration certificate) — valid for 30 days, allows driving on public roads
• Windscreen sticker (nalepka kontrolna)
• Number plates — if new (when re-registering domestically you keep the old ones)

With a temporary permit you may drive on public roads, but you must collect the permanent registration certificate before the 30 days expire.

The permanent registration certificate is produced by PWPW and delivered to the office. The waiting time is usually 7–14 business days.

How to collect it?

1. Check readiness on the office website or by phone
2. Go to the same vehicle registration office
3. Bring the temporary permit (to be returned)
4. Collect the permanent registration certificate

From this point the vehicle is fully registered in the CEPiK system.