Import a car to Andorra yourself: practical guide for budgets under €20,000

Importing a car to Andorra may seem complicated, but with the right information it's a process you can manage yourself. In this article we explain step by step how to do it when your budget is under €20,000, from finding the vehicle to the moment you attach the Andorran plates.

Why does this article focus on cars under €20,000?

At ImportoCotxe.ad we offer a comprehensive import service that includes search, verification, purchase, transport, paperwork and a 12-month warranty. This service has minimum fixed costs that, for vehicles with tighter budgets, can represent a significant percentage of the total price.

It's not that we're expensive, but rather that our model is designed to offer complete peace of mind, and that includes a mandatory warranty that has a real cost. On a €40,000 car, our fees are barely noticeable. On a €15,000 car, that same fixed amount weighs more heavily in the decision.

That's why we've prepared this guide: so that if your budget is limited, you can consider doing it yourself with all the necessary information. And if at any point you need occasional help, we're also here.

The advantages of importing from Europe

The Andorran vehicle market is limited compared to larger European countries. Importing from Germany, for example, gives you access to a much wider range, with better value for money and vehicles with more complete equipment. With a budget of up to €20,000 you can find upper-mid-range cars with low mileage that would cost significantly more in Andorra.

1. Finding the car

The first step is to find the right vehicle. The most recommended platforms are mobile.de or AutoScout24, where you'll find a wide variety of vehicles, especially from the German market.

Key tip: look for cars with deductible VAT (MwSt. ausweisbar in German). This means the seller can issue an invoice where the VAT appears separately. When exporting the vehicle outside the European Union, this VAT is recovered, which represents significant savings. On a €20,000 car, German VAT (19%) represents about €3,200 that you can recover.

Keep in mind that not all sellers offer this option. Professional dealerships can usually issue invoices with deductible VAT, while private sellers generally cannot. Filter your searches to focus on professional sellers if you want to benefit from this tax advantage.

2. Verifying the car and seller

Once you've identified options that interest you, it's essential to verify both the vehicle and the seller before committing.

Document verification

Ask the seller to confirm that the car has a COC (Certificate of Conformity) or, at minimum, European homologation. This document is essential for registering the vehicle in Andorra.

Age requirement: the first registration date cannot exceed 6 years of age. This calculation is done by calendar year, not counting months. For example, if we're in January 2026, any car first registered in 2020 or later meets the requirement.

Seller verification

Before travelling, research the dealership. Check that the photos in the listing match the facilities you can see on Google Maps and Street View. Review other buyers' opinions. When you go in person, you can do a more thorough inspection of the vehicle.

If you have doubts about a specific dealership, you can write to us. We've been importing cars for many years and have worked with many sellers, so we may have direct references.

3. Buying the car

Contact the dealership to have them prepare a reservation contract. This document ensures that the vehicle is set aside while you arrange payment.

Once the purchase is confirmed, the seller must issue you an invoice that clearly reflects the net price (without VAT) and the VAT breakdown. This invoice is essential to be able to recover the VAT later.

The usual procedure is that you pay the full amount (VAT included) and the dealership retains the VAT as a deposit. Once you confirm the export of the vehicle outside the EU, the seller will return that amount to you.

4. Preparing the EU export

To take the car out of the European Union you need an export declaration. This document must be prepared by a customs agent.

You have several options:

• At origin: sometimes the dealership itself handles the export or recommends a local customs agent.
• At the EU-Andorra border: you can prepare the declaration at the EU exit customs through which you enter Andorra (whether from France or Spain).

Important: the confirmation of this export is what allows the dealership to return the VAT to you. It's essential to do it correctly.

5. Transport to Andorra

The car must physically arrive in Andorra. If you decide to drive it yourself, you'll need an export plate from the country of origin. The dealership will deregister the vehicle and you won't be able to drive with the old plates.

The German export plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) usually has a validity of between 2 weeks and one month, sufficient for the journey. The dealership can help you arrange it.

Another option is to hire a truck transport service to a point near Andorra and from there drive with the export plate.

If you choose to drive, plan the route taking distances into account. From southern Germany to Andorra is approximately 1,000-1,200 km, a journey you can do in a long day or with an intermediate stop. Make sure the export plate includes the necessary insurance to drive through the countries you cross.

6. Import into Andorra

Upon arriving at Andorran customs, you'll need to complete the customs procedures to confirm the EU export and submit the import declaration.

The tax to pay is the IGI (Impost General Indirecte), which is 4.5% of the vehicle's value (including the cost of transport to Andorra). This percentage applies equally to all vehicles, whether combustion, hybrid or electric.

The only IGI exemption is for change of residence, when the vehicle was already yours for more than 6 months before becoming an Andorran resident.

The customs process usually takes approximately one hour to complete if you have all the documentation in order.

7. Technical inspection (ITV)

With customs procedures completed, the next step is to pass the Andorran ITV. You must request a prior appointment for a special pre-registration inspection.

In this inspection they will verify that the vehicle meets the technical requirements to drive in Andorra. It's advisable that the car is in good condition and doesn't have non-homologated modifications.

8. Insurance certificate

To register the car in Andorra you need an insurance certificate. Contact an Andorran insurance company and request this specific document.

The insurance certificate includes a unique code, the insurer's details, the validity date, as well as the vehicle and owner information. It's a document that Andorran insurers issue regularly and know exactly what it's about.

9. Registration file

With the ITV passed and the insurance certificate in hand, you can now submit the registration file to the Govern d'Andorra.

You'll need to submit the completed official form along with all the documentation accumulated during the process: purchase invoice, customs documentation, ITV result, COC, insurance certificate and your personal documentation as a resident.

Once the file is submitted, within 24 to 48 hours you'll receive the Andorran yellow card: your car will be officially registered.

10. Collecting the plates

The last step is to go to the ACA (Automòbil Club d'Andorra) where they'll have your license plates ready. You buy them directly there and all that's left is to attach them to your vehicle.

Congratulations! You now have your car imported and registered in Andorra.

Cost summary

So you can do your calculations, these are the costs you should consider:

• Net car value: the price without VAT that appears on the dealership invoice.
• IGI (4.5%): calculated on the car's value. For example, on a €15,000 car it would be €675.
• Fixed procedures: customs declarations, registration, annual tax, ITV and plates add up to approximately €750.
• Transport: the cost of the flight to the country of origin, travel to the dealership, and the expenses of driving the car back (petrol, tolls, possible hotel night if you make a stop).
• Export plate: necessary to drive the car to Andorra. In Germany it usually costs between €150 and €300 depending on the duration, and includes mandatory insurance.

If we add everything up for a €15,000 net car: the vehicle plus €675 IGI plus €750 procedures plus about €200 export plate plus about €300-400 travel (variable depending on origin), you'd be at around €16,900-17,100 with the car registered and ready to drive.

Need help?

This process is perfectly doable on your own if you have the time and desire to manage it. Even so, we understand that doubts may arise along the way.

Free one-off consultations

If you have any specific question during the process, you can write to us without obligation. We'll be happy to help you with specific doubts for free.

Consulting service

If you prefer to do the import yourself but want professional support throughout the process, we offer a consulting service. We accompany you at every step, review the documentation, help you verify sellers and resolve any unexpected issues that arise. It's a much more economical option than our full service, and ensures everything will go well without having to delegate the entire process.

Full service

For those who prefer to completely disengage, we continue to offer our complete service: we take care of everything from the search to the delivery of the car with the plates attached, including a 12-month warranty. This service is especially suitable for higher value vehicles, where our fees represent a smaller proportion of the total price.

Whatever your situation, contact us and we'll find the best way to help you.