How to Import a Car to Andorra in 2026 | Complete Step-by-Step Guide

If you're thinking about importing a car to Andorra, you've come to the right place. In this updated guide for 2026, I explain the entire import process step by step: from choosing the right vehicle to having Andorran plates on your car.

I've been importing cars to Andorra for years and I know every detail of the process. I'll tell you exactly what you need to know to do it yourself or to understand what it involves if you decide to delegate it.

What you'll learn in this guide

 
1. Finding the ideal car to import
 
2. Buying the vehicle correctly
 
3. Transporting the car to Andorra
 
4. Completing the import procedures
 
5. Recovering VAT from the country of origin

1. How to find the perfect car to import to Andorra

Before rushing to buy, you need to understand which cars you can legally import to Andorra. Not all vehicles are valid, and making a mistake here means ending up with a car you won't be able to register.

Legal requirements in Andorra for 2026

Andorran regulations establish two clear conditions for importing used vehicles:

Emissions standard: The car must comply with the current Euro standard minus one. Since Euro 7 is not yet in force, Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles are currently accepted.

Maximum age: 6 years from the date of manufacture. In 2026, this means cars manufactured in 2020 or later. An important detail: the month of manufacture doesn't matter. A car from January 2020 is valid throughout 2026, whether in January or December.

Why look for cars with deductible VAT

When importing to Andorra, you don't pay VAT from the country of origin. That's why it's in your interest to buy vehicles that still have this tax, as you can recover it afterwards. This can mean savings of 19-21% on the price of the car.

Where to look for cars to import

The most recommended market is Germany, for several reasons: larger vehicle selection, competitive prices, and sellers are used to exporting. The reference website is mobile.de, where you'll find the largest selection of cars in Europe.

Other options are autoscout24.com for all of Europe, lacentrale.fr for France, and coches.net for Spain. But if you're looking for variety and good prices, Germany is your best bet.

How to verify the seller before paying

This point is critical. There are scams with cars at prices that are too good that don't actually exist. Once you transfer the money, it's practically impossible to recover it.

Before sending money: look for the dealership's website, check that it exists on Google Maps, review the ratings, call by phone and talk to someone. If the price seems too good, it probably is. If in doubt, travel to the country to see the car in person before paying.

2. How to buy the car correctly

Once you've chosen the car and verified the seller, it's time to make the purchase. There are some steps you can't skip.

Request the COC before buying

The COC (Certificate of Conformity) is the document that certifies the vehicle's technical data according to European homologation. You'll need it to register in Andorra. Ask the seller for it; in Germany they usually have it. If they don't have it, you can request it from an official brand dealership with the chassis number.

The purchase process step by step

Contact the seller and send them your details as an Andorran resident or those of your Andorran company. It's essential that they understand that Andorra is not part of the European Union, so they must sell the car as an export.

They will send you a reservation contract with the car details, dealership information and payment details. Sign it and make the bank transfer.

How VAT works in the purchase

Normally, you pay the full price including VAT. The seller will refund you that VAT when you send them the documentation proving that you have exported the car outside the EU and registered it in your name in Andorra.

3. How to transport the car to Andorra

You have two options to bring the car: hire a transport service or drive it yourself. Each option has its advantages.

Hiring a transport service

It's the most convenient option: you save the trip and the car doesn't accumulate kilometres. Transport services are insured, so it's safe. The downside is that it's usually slower and they'll leave the car at the border, where you'll need a tow truck or temporary plates to move it to the vehicle inspection centre.

Driving it yourself

The main advantage is that you can see the car before picking it up and make complaints if something isn't right. You'll need export plates from the country of origin to drive. In Germany, dealerships usually arrange these plates; one-month plates cost around €300 and include insurance.

4. Import procedures in Andorra

Once the car arrives at the border, the official import process begins. There are several steps, but they're well defined.

Procedures at the border

At the border, you must declare the car's exit from the EU and entry into Andorra. It's crucial to be clear whether the seller has prepared export documentation or not, because a mistake here can prevent you from recovering the VAT.

If there's no export documentation prepared, first you go to the exit customs agent with the car documentation and invoice. They prepare the DAE (Export Accompanying Document), which you present at customs to complete the export.

For the import, you go to the Andorran customs agent, who will prepare the DUA and charge you the IGI (4.5% on the vehicle's value). There are no discounts for electric or hybrid vehicles, except exemption for change of residence. Then you take the DUA to Andorran Customs so they authorise you to have the car and stamp the documentation.

Procedures at the vehicle inspection centre

By appointment, you request a pre-registration inspection for import. You need the car documents from the country of origin, the COC and the Andorran insurance certificate. If the inspection is favourable, they'll give you a yellow paper that you must keep.

Procedures at the Government

With all the documentation, you submit the registration file. You'll need:

 
• DUA and original invoice stamped at Customs
 
• Favourable vehicle inspection document
 
• Original car documents
 
• Vehicle COC
 
• Insurance certificate
 
• Passport (if it's your first registered car)
 
• Completed registration application

You'll pay a fee of €230. Within 24-48 hours, you'll have the yellow card for the car in your name with the Andorran registration number. To collect it, you pay the annual vehicle tax, which varies depending on the car.

Procedures at the ACA

Finally, you take the yellow card to the ACA (Automòbil Club d'Andorra) for them to give you the Andorran plates. The cost is €54 and includes the ecological sticker.

At this point, you can put on the plates and drive freely with your imported car in Andorra.

5. How to recover VAT from the country of origin

There's still one important step left: claiming the refund of the VAT you paid when buying the car.

Send the seller by email: copy of the DAE from the border, DUA and stamped invoice, yellow card of the vehicle, and your bank details for the transfer.

The refund process can take about 3 weeks from when you send the documentation. This is normal, don't worry.

The 4 critical points to remember

Importing a car to Andorra is a clear process, but there are points where you can't fail:

Verify compatibility: Make sure the car complies with Andorran regulations (Euro 5/6, manufactured in 2020 or later). If you make a mistake, you'll have a car you won't be able to register.

Check the seller: Investigate thoroughly before transferring money. Scams with non-existent cars are common and the money cannot be recovered.

Demand an export invoice: Have them sell you the car as an export. Without this, you'll have problems at the border and with the VAT refund.

Check exit files: Before creating a DAE at the border, confirm that there are no export files open by the seller. If there are duplicates, they won't refund your VAT.

Need help with your import?

At ImportoCotxe, we are specialists in importing cars to Andorra. We do this every day and we know every detail of the process.

If you want to import a car and have doubts at any step, contact us. We can help you on specific points or take care of the entire process, delivering the registered car to your home.

Additionally, on our website you can search directly among all the cars on mobile.de that can be imported to Andorra, with the final price already calculated: car price, import costs and our fees included. What you see is what you pay.