How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Andorra in 2026: Complete Breakdown

Importing a car to Andorra from Germany is one of the smartest ways to get the vehicle you're looking for at the best price. But before you dive in, you need to know exactly how much it will cost. In this guide, we break down all the real costs, with concrete examples and no surprises.

Quick Summary: How Much Does It Cost in Total?

                                                                                                               

Car Value (net)	Total DIY Cost	Cost with ImportoCotxe
€20,000	~€23,500 (you advance €27,888)	€24,660
€40,000	~€44,500 (you advance €54,563)	€46,700
€60,000	~€65,500 (you advance €76,864)	€68,737

DIY = doing it yourself, recovering German VAT correctly and without unexpected issues.

The difference between doing it yourself or with a professional service is approximately 5%. In exchange for that 5%, you eliminate risks, international paperwork, and the uncertainty of recovering German VAT.

Breakdown of All Costs

1. IGI (Impost General Indirecte): 4.5%

IGI is Andorra's equivalent of VAT and applies to all imports. In 2026, the rate is 4.5% on the net value of the car, regardless of whether it's petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric.

What Value Is It Calculated On?

It's calculated on the net price shown on the German invoice (excluding VAT). If you buy from a private seller in Germany, or from a dealer selling a car that previously belonged to a private individual, there will be no deductible VAT and the IGI will be calculated on the total invoice price.

 

Note: On many websites you'll find incorrect information stating that hybrids or electric vehicles only pay 1% IGI. This is false. For years now, all vehicles pay 4.5% without exception.

Examples:

 
• €20,000 net car → €900 IGI
 
• €40,000 net car → €1,800 IGI
 
• €60,000 net car → €2,700 IGI

2. Customs Documents (DUA): ~€220

To legally import a car to Andorra, you need two documents prepared by customs agents:

 
1. Export DUA: Declares the vehicle's exit from the European Union. It can be done at origin (Germany) or at French or Spanish customs.
 
2. Import DUA: Declares the vehicle's entry into Andorra and the corresponding IGI.

The cost of processing both documents is approximately €220.

3. Registration, Vehicle Inspection, and Taxes: ~€455-575

Once the car is in Andorra and you've paid the IGI, you need to pass the vehicle inspection and register it. The costs are:

                                                                                                                                                   

Item	Cost
ITV (Vehicle Inspection)	€60
Registration fee	~€230
Annual road tax	€120-250 (depending on CO₂ and engine size)
Plates + environmental sticker	€45
Plate installation (optional, if done by a garage)	~€20
Total registration	€455-605

The road tax varies according to CO₂ emissions and other vehicle factors. An efficient car will pay around €120, while one with higher emissions can reach €250.

The plates cost €45 but come unmounted. You can install them yourself or ask a garage to do it for about €20 extra.

4. Certificate of Conformity (COC): €0-355

The COC is the document certifying that the vehicle complies with European type approval. It's essential for registering in Andorra.

Does the Dealer Have It?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It's something you need to ask before closing the purchase. If they don't have it, you'll need to request it from the manufacturer.

Cost and Timeframes by Brand:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Brand	Cost	Timeframe (business days)
Audi	€183	3 days
BMW	€232	12 days
Ford	€232	5 days
Mercedes	€320	7 days
Opel	€250	6 days
Peugeot	€355	5 days
Seat / Cupra	€232	3 days
Volkswagen	€185	3 days
Alfa Romeo	€355	17 days
Dacia	€345	25 days
Aston Martin	€1,800	7 days
Bentley	€1,800	21 days

If the dealer provides it included or at a lower cost, that's a plus.

5. If You Do It Yourself: Additional Costs

If you decide to import the car yourself without using a professional service, you need to add:

German Export Plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen): €200-250

These are temporary plates that allow you to legally drive the car from Germany to Andorra. They include third-party insurance for the validity period.

 
• If you process them yourself: ~€200
 
• If the dealer processes them: ~€250

The recommended duration is two weeks. Five days is tight, especially if there's a weekend in between.

 

Important: Export plates only include third-party insurance. This means that during the journey through Europe, any damage to your own vehicle will not be covered. It's a risk to consider, especially on a car you've just bought.

Trip to Germany and Car Transport: Variable

This is a cost many underestimate and that varies greatly depending on circumstances. It includes:

 
• Flight to Germany (Barcelona/Toulouse → German city)
 
• Transport to the airport
 
• Trains or taxis to the dealer
 
• Accommodation (minimum 1-2 nights)
 
• Meals during the trip
 
• Fuel to drive the car back (~€240-300 depending on distance)
 
• Tolls

The total cost depends a lot on flight prices at that time and whether you go alone or with someone. To calculate the exact fuel and toll costs for your route, you can use ViaMichelin.

International Transfer: Variable

Paying a German dealer involves an international transfer with its corresponding bank fees and possible currency conversion if your bank applies one.

The German VAT Issue: Important to Understand

When you buy a car in Germany to export it, you can recover the German VAT (19%). But you need to understand how it works:

 
1. You pay the full price to the dealer: net price + 19% VAT
 
2. You export the car and gather all documentation proving it
 
3. The dealer refunds the VAT once the export is verified

The Risks:

 
• The dealer doesn't refund your money (it happens) and you have to start legal proceedings in Germany
 
• The export documentation isn't correct and you can't justify the operation

That's why, when calculating the DIY cost, you need to account for initially disbursing much more and assuming the recovery risk.

Example with a €20,000 Net Car:

 
• You initially pay: €23,800 (€20,000 + 19% VAT)
 
• If everything goes well, you recover: €3,800
 
• Your final cost: €20,000 + rest of expenses

Real Examples: Three Concrete Cases

Case 1: €20,000 Net Car

                                                                                                               

Item	DIY	With ImportoCotxe
Net price Germany	€20,000	€20,000
Initial outlay (with German VAT)	€27,888	—
Total final cost	~€23,500*	€24,660

*Recovering VAT correctly and without unexpected issues.

Case 2: €40,000 Net Car

                                                                                                               

Item	DIY	With ImportoCotxe
Net price Germany	€40,000	€40,000
Initial outlay (with German VAT)	€54,563	—
Total final cost	~€44,500*	€46,700

Case 3: €60,000 Net Car

                                                                                                               

Item	DIY	With ImportoCotxe
Net price Germany	€60,000	€60,000
Initial outlay (with German VAT)	€76,864	—
Total final cost	~€65,500*	€68,737

DIY vs Professional Service: What's Best for You?

When Does It Make Sense to Do It Yourself?

If you have experience with imports, speak German, have available time, and feel comfortable assuming the VAT risk, it might be worth it.

For most people, the peace of mind of a complete service more than compensates for the extra 5%.

 

Prefer to do it yourself but have questions? No problem. Although our service is comprehensive, we're happy to answer any questions you have about the process. Contact us and we'll help you with no obligation.

IGI Exemption for Change of Residence

If you've just moved to Andorra, you can import your previous car without paying the 4.5% IGI, but you must meet strict requirements:

Mandatory Requirements:

 
1. Prior ownership of 6 months: The car must have been in your name for at least 6 months before obtaining Andorran residency
 
2. Maximum 1-year deadline: You must import the car before one year has passed since you obtained residency
 
3. Vehicle regulations: The car must comply with the same regulations as any other import:    
        
   • Euro 5 or Euro 6 type approval
        
   • Year of manufacture: maximum 6 years old (in 2026, only cars manufactured in 2020 or later)
      
    

Why These Requirements?

The Government wants to prevent two things:

 
• You buying a car just before moving to save on IGI
 
• You dragging out the import process indefinitely

 

Important: On many websites you'll see information indicating there are special exceptions for residence changes regarding car age. This is incorrect. Euro regulations and maximum age apply equally in all cases.

Special Cases

Cars from Outside the European Union (UK, USA, etc.)

If the car comes from outside the EU, in addition to IGI you must pay an import tariff. The rate depends on current trade agreements:

 
• United States: 10% tariff
 
• United Kingdom (post-Brexit): tariffs apply as for a third country

Additionally, cars from outside the EU probably won't have European type approval, which means:

 
• Individual type approval: ~€1,500
 
• Parts to change: variable cost depending on what needs to be modified to comply with European regulations

Modified Cars

A point that frequently causes problems: if the car has modifications from its factory configuration, even if it has a European COC, it won't meet the specifications of that document.

Result: It will require individual type approval (€1,500 + parts).

Our recommendation: Always import factory-spec cars. If you want to modify it, do so once it's registered in Andorra.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

With a professional service, from choosing the car to having it registered in Andorra: approximately 3-4 weeks. If you need the car more urgently, there are ways to speed up the process. Contact us and we'll look at the options available for your case.

Can I Import Any Car from Germany?

No. It must meet:

 
• Euro 5 or Euro 6 type approval
 
• Maximum 6 years old (manufactured 2020 or later in 2026)
 
• No modifications from factory spec
 
• Left-hand drive

Is IGI Paid on the Price with VAT or without VAT?

On the net price (excluding VAT). If the invoice includes VAT because you're buying from a private seller, it's calculated on the total invoice amount.

What Happens If the German Dealer Doesn't Refund My VAT?

If you do it yourself, you'll have to claim it legally in Germany, a long and expensive process. If you use a service like ImportoCotxe, we assume this risk.

Do Electric or Hybrid Vehicles Pay Less IGI?

No. For years now, all vehicles pay 4.5% regardless of their powertrain.

Thinking About Importing a Car?

At ImportoCotxe, we handle the entire process: from helping you find the car you're looking for in Germany to delivering it registered in Andorra with a 12-month warranty.

The price you see on our website is the final price, with no surprises. It includes the car, transport, all paperwork, taxes, and registration.

Search for your car on our website or contact us if you have any questions.