Vehicle ownership transfer and data update

When a vehicle changes ownership, or when it is granted under usufruct or a lease-to-own agreement, the vehicle data must be officially updated. The buyer is required to request this update within 60 days from the authenticated signing of the transfer document. After the request, a new registration certificate is issued showing the new owner and the updated legal status of the vehicle. At the same time, the Public Vehicle Registry records the ownership transfer. If any irregularities are found, the procedure may be rejected within a few days.

If the vehicle owner changes residence, or if a company changes its registered office, this information must be updated in the national vehicle database. This ensures that all official records remain accurate and up to date.

Failure to comply with these obligations results in significant administrative fines. Additionally, driving a vehicle whose documents have not been updated within the required time leads to further penalties. In such cases, the registration certificate may be immediately confiscated until the situation is corrected.

Updates are not required only for ownership transfers. If a vehicle is used for more than 30 days by someone other than the registered owner, such as a long-term loan to a family member or employee, this must also be declared and recorded. Failure to do so results in the same penalties as failing to register a change of ownership.

There are also specific registers for vehicles registered abroad but used in the country, which must be recorded in dedicated databases accessible to authorities.

If a person proves that they are no longer the owner of a vehicle, they can avoid paying vehicle taxes by presenting appropriate documentation. Any enforced tax collection procedures will be canceled once the lack of ownership is confirmed.