Bringing a UK car to France long- term

Cars / Motoring / Insurance
1

Hi everyone

Is it possible to bring a car from UK to France and leave it there long-term? What hoops do you have to jump through!

I’m guessing you can’t just drive through the tunnel and carry on as normal?

if we want a car at our French property is it easier to buy a car in France instead? Are you allowed to do this if resident in uk??

Thanks

2

Welcome. You’ve picked a hot topic to start with!

Huge debate about whether non-residents/second home owners are legally allowed to re-register their cars here or not. Some interpret laws as saying it’s ok as long as you only have one address in France. Others say no way!

Whichever way re-registering can be quite complex, costly and expensive. Others will no doubt chip in with details, but think hard about whether worth it or easier just to remt when you’re here.

3

This is one I chickened out out on . I assume that one could very easily bring ones UK or Irish car to a house in France and leave it there. If it were hidden in a garage and ones insurance and road tax paid in Ireland or UK, there would be no way for the police to be bothered or concerned..It would of course be unlawful. . It would have to be taken back periodically for MoT NCT . .

The legal alternative is reregistration in France ..

Many people with secondary houses do buy second hand French cars ,and store them in their barns when in the UK. Mind you the prices of old cars in France are extremely expensive

4

But is it? Many say this is illegal as a second home owner, as only primary addresses can be used for registration.

5

The easiest solution is to buy a French vehicle and have it registered and insured using the holiday home address.

6

Hi Jess. I reckon if you do a web search:

‘Is it possible to bring a car from UK to France and leave it there long-term’

… you will find a succinct answer keeping you safe from being illegal in both UK and France. As mentioned, easier to buy a run around in France rather than be naughty. :slight_smile: ?

7

This is the most frequent argument on car registration in France and there are two camps, one that believes it is totally legal and one that believes that it’s completely illegal.

Neither will give ground and neither will convince the other that they’re wrong.

Hopefully that summary has saved a few pages of arguments :blush: