Car Importation

[Marion]

Need a little help? I am seeking information regarding importation of my car to Corfu (Arillas). It is my intention to leave a UK registered vehicle on the island so that I have permanent transport for my numerous visits. The questions are as follows: the vehicle is on UK registration, taxed, MOT'd and insured for one year. My questions are (a) I gather vehicles left for more than six months are required to have local registrations (b) as a ten year old vehicle would this need to have a greek "MOT" once the UK one had expired and how long does the greek one last for, do right hand drive vehicles present any test complications and (c) Insurance - most greek cars appear to only have third party cover therefore is greek insurance on a like for like basis more expensive than the UK.  Any ideas greatl appreciated. I would be grateful for any information as myself and my husband will be coming over in June.  Thank you
Marion and Keith

[JohnJ]

I was always under the impression that a UK car registered in the Uk can be used anywhere in the EU until the tax disc expires and must then be registered in the country of use.   I also believe that your current insurance could be maintained ( provided you have comprehensive and european cover).  Most eurpoean cover will only give you a fixed number of days abroad, depending on the policy 31 days, 48 days or 90.   You may be able to explain to the insurer that it would only be driven on X number of days per year in Corfu and this might make the policy reasonably priced.  As for MOTs not sure of the position in Corfu, perhaps someone else can help.  I am sure Spiro or Dimitri at Rainbow or Dimitri at Brouklis could help.
Regards
John

[Mick and Jill]

Marion know there are some issues regarding this as friends who have emigrated over to Arillas and friends who have shipped their car over in preparation for thier move have had problems but can't remember what they are.  Sure if you pm Eggy he can help you with this.

Jill

[Geoff]

Hi Marion
This site should have all the info you need :-
http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/en/citizens/travelling/before-departure/index.html
Basically it appears that you have got up to 6 months - Quote from the site - "If you live and drive in the host country for a period of 6 months or more, you should register your car in the host country. You will have to pay a registration tax. You should register your vehicle up to 6 months after its entrance in the host country. "
Of course, if your vehicle leaves the country and then returns again (ferry to Brindisi and back?) one could argue that the 6 months should start again, but I don't know if the authorities would necessarily agree with that

[Maggie]

Marion, the greek consulate would help you with info on this. I think that you may have to be a greek resident to import a car into Corfu tho. Good luck. I'll be very interested to see how you get on.

[Corfusoon]

Hi

Yes you can use your car for upto 6 months. Keep the ticket you used when you bring the car over on the ferry.

Yes its against EU law but the Greeks charge a fortune to nationalise the vehicle.

I tried to find out how much my 1600 N reg Vitara would be on the standard arrangement and they wanted 6500 euros.

If you overstay and you get caught the car will be siezed.

If you are a resident of Greece you can apply to the Greek Embassy in London and 1 car per family, once you can export your car without most of the import duty rip off tax. Given this I would not be doing this with a 10 year old vehicle.

Only you can drive it and there are restrictions on the resale.

Best advice I had was to wait. The EU are imposing larger and larger fines on Greece every year for flouting the law. I have heard that there is a change in the wind due this year.

Anybody wanting to drive my Softtop Jeep back this spring please let me know and we will see if we can come to an arrangement.

.....thats sort of your only option.

Regards