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Car taxes in Romania - Guide for car dealers
Learn about all the car taxes in Romania for 2025 (VAT, registration fees, Rovinieta, Impozit auto) and see what changes are coming in 2026.
Knowing the cost of importing cars to Romania is important because it helps you price your cars in a profitable way. But that’s just one side of the business.
Potential buyers are likely to ask questions about the price of owning and driving a car in Romania, so you need to be prepared to explain these costs clearly.
That's why we’ll review all the car-related taxes and fees in Romania, plus the changes expected in the future, and you'll be able to plan your imports accurately and be ready with clear answers for clients.
Key takeaways
- Romania increased the standard VAT rate to 21% in August 2025.
- There’s currently no environmental tax, but a new emissions-based tax will start in January 2026.
- Vehicles in Romania must go through registration, RAR authentication, ITP inspections, and have a valid Rovinieta.
- Car owners also pay an annual local tax (Impozit auto) based on engine size or vehicle weight, and EVs are exempt.
Value Added Tax (VAT) - 21%
Romania used to have a standard VAT rate of 19%, but the rate was increased to 21% in August 2025.
This is a recent change, so make sure you apply the correct rate when calculating your deals.
► VAT on EU imports
When you buy and import used cars from another EU country, the seller issues the invoice without charging their local VAT if both of you are VAT-registered.
For instance, you won’t be charged the Dutch VAT if you’re importing from the Netherlands. These VAT-deductible cars are clearly marked on eCarsTrade.
This means the invoice comes without foreign VAT, and you declare the VAT in Romania. You’ll be able to deduct that VAT in your next VAT return.
If your documents are in order and your company is VAT-registered, this process doesn’t create an extra cost for you.
In this system, you can trade cars freely within the EU without paying VAT twice. Just be sure that your VAT number is valid and that the seller keeps proof of the car being transported to Romania.
You can check the status of your VAT number on VIES, the VAT number validation system.
Also, some used cars are sold under the VAT margin scheme, and they’re marked as “Margin - VAT non deductible” on eCarsTrade.
In that case, the seller adds VAT only on their profit margin. The VAT is already built into the purchase price, and you can’t reclaim it later.
► VAT on non-EU imports
If you’re importing cars from outside of the EU, you’ll pay the import VAT at the standard rate of 21% when the car enters Romanian customs.
This VAT is calculated based on the customs value of the car, which generally includes the purchase price, shipping cost, and insurance.
Essentially, the difference between EU and non-EU import VAT is the timing:
- EU imports: no VAT payment upfront, just declaration
- non-EU imports: you pay VAT right away at the customs
In both cases, if your company is VAT-registered and the cars are for resale, you can deduct this VAT in your VAT return.
Environmental tax
At the moment, there’s no environmental tax for cars in Romania.
However, the Government has announced a new vehicle emissions tax from 1 January 2026, which will be proportional to emissions.
So, you should stay informed and follow official updates!
Registration and administrative costs in Romania
When it comes to registration in Romania, there are multiple fees to take care of.
► Registration certification fee
This is the flat fee for issuing the vehicle’s registration certificate, and the cost is 37 RON (about €8.40). It applies to all vehicles regardless of weight.
► Registration tax/fee
Another fee you’ll pay is the registration tax, or fee, which is the administrative tax for actually registering the vehicle in the system.
It is 60 RON (about €13.50) for vehicles up to 3,500 kg and 145 RON (about €33) for vehicles over 3,500 kg.
► RAR authentication fee
The RAR authentication fee is the fee you pay to the Romanian Automotive Register (RAR) for checking a vehicle’s identity and technical conformity. It also covers issuing the car identity card when the vehicle was previously registered abroad.
ITP fees 2025
In Romania, every registered vehicle must pass a periodic technical inspection, known as ITP (Inspecția Tehnică Periodică).
Since ITP services are carried out by licensed private stations, their prices vary.
Passenger cars
New passenger cars need their first inspection within three years of first registration in Romania. After that, inspections are required every two years until the vehicle is twelve years old.
So, if you've imported a four-year-old car, it will have to go through ITP every two years. Passenger cars older than 12 years have to go through ITP every year.
Depending on the ITP provider, you’ll pay between 150 and 180 RON for the inspection.
Commercial vehicles
Stricter rules apply to commercial vehicles. Vans and light trucks undergo ITP every year, regardless of their age. Heavier trucks and vehicles used for passenger transport have to go through inspections every six months.
ITP for commercial vehicles costs more than for passenger cars, starting at around 200 RON.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles also need regular ITP to remain road legal. The inspection interval is usually every two years, starting from the date of first registration. The fee for inspecting motorcycles is usually lower than for cars.
Vehicles with a maximum design speed lower than 25km/h are exempt from ITP.
Road Tax - Rovinieta
The mandatory road tax in Romania is called Rovinieta, and you can get your Rovinieta online. There have been some Rovinieta price increases in August 2025, so let’s take a look at current prices by category.
Category A: cars up to 3.5 tons
For passenger cars up to 3.5 tons, you’ll have to pay RON 253,36 (€50) for 12 months.
Source: TaxeAuto.ro
The rate for vans and other LCVs under 3.5 tons is RON 577,66 (€114) for 12 months.
Category B: 3.5 to 7.5 tons
If you want to buy the Rovinieta for heavy vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tons, the cost will be RON 1925,54 (€380) for 12 months.
Source: TaxeAuto.ro
Exemptions
Motorcycles are exempt from buying Rovinieta. Also, all bridge crossings are free of charge for motorcycles.
Local and municipal taxes
Besides national taxes like VAT or Rovinieta, car owners in Romania also pay certain local taxes that their municipalities set. These can vary depending on the city or county where the car is registered.
Annual vehicle ownership tax
Every car registered in Romania has to pay an annual ownership tax called Impozit auto.
You pay it to the local city hall. For passenger cars, the amount depends on the engine size. For commercial vehicles, the tax is usually based on weight or the number of axles.
You can use an online Impozit calculator to estimate the costs based on your car’s engine size and the city where it’s registered.
Source: Calculator Impozit Auto
Currently, electric vehicles are exempt from this tax, as is the case with many European countries that offer tax breaks and incentives for EVs.
Expected changes in 2026
2025 already brought some changes for car taxes in Romania.
The standard VAT rate went up from 19% to 21% in August, and Rovinieta prices increased starting in September 2025.
From 1 January 2026, the Government will introduce a new vehicle emissions tax. It will be linked to how much a car pollutes, but the exact formula and price bands haven’t been published yet.
As always, we suggest that dealers follow official updates to stay informed and avoid surprises.
Tax compliance checklist for Romanian dealers
Here’s a quick overview of which taxes you need to handle monthly or annually:
- Monthly: Declaring VAT using the Form 300
- Annually: Local vehicle ownership tax (Impozit auto), Rovinieta renewal, registration fees, keeping ITP up to date
And with that, you’re ready to handle car taxes in Romania and talk to your buyers about every cost involved.
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