Guide · Slovenia

Driving a UK-registered car in Slovenia: how long you can keep UK plates, what registering it costs, and what to do instead

Slovenia's motor vehicle tax comes on top of the customs duty and VAT every UK car now attracts. This guide covers how long you can stay on UK plates, the registration steps and costs, and the alternative.

Last reviewed September 2026

How long can I keep it on UK plates?

Non-residents may drive a foreign-registered car while its home registration, inspection and insurance are valid. A Slovenian resident must register the car in Slovenia; the UK registration cannot be kept from abroad either, because the V5C needs a UK address and the MOT and UK insurance lapse.

Can a right-hand-drive car be registered?

Right-hand-drive cars can be registered in Slovenia. The tehnični pregled will require headlamps adjusted for driving on the right and suitable mirrors, and Slovenian buyers discount right-hand drive.

What registering it involves

Customs clearance as a non-EU import (through a customs broker), paying duty and VAT.
Motor vehicle tax (DMV) assessed by the financial administration (FURS).
Technical inspection (tehnični pregled) and, where required, individual approval.
Registration at an administrative unit or inspection station: Slovenian plates and registration certificate.
Compulsory motor insurance.

What it costs

Customs duty: 10% of the customs value unless UK origin is documented under the EU–UK agreement.
VAT: 22% on the value plus duty.
DMV: a percentage of the value scaled by CO2 and fuel type.
Inspection, translations, plates and fees.

Moving home? Transfer-of-residence relief

If you lived in the UK for at least 12 months and owned and used the car for 6 months or more, transfer-of-residence relief normally removes customs duty and VAT when you move back. DMV and registration costs still apply, and the car cannot be sold for 12 months.

The alternative: sell it back to the UK

Selling back to the UK trade avoids all of it. We buy UK-registered cars in Slovenia as they stand, collect free from any address, handle the export paperwork, and pay in pounds sterling on the day — into your UK bank account if you still have one.

Get a free valuation for your car in Slovenia

Free collection anywhere in Slovenia, all export paperwork handled, paid in pounds sterling (£) on the day.

Value my UK car

Common questions

What if the MOT has expired?

Not a problem — we buy cars with expired MOT or SORN and collect by transporter.

How quickly can you collect?

Usually within a week of acceptance; Slovenia is on the same run as Austria and northern Italy.

Will I get more than from a local dealer?

Usually. A local dealer prices a right-hand-drive car for the Slovenian market; we price it for the UK, where it is a normal car.

Rules, rates and thresholds change. This guide is a general summary as of September 2026, not legal or tax advice — check the current position with the registration authority or a customs agent before relying on it.

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