If you have bought a new car, you must register it with the authorities within 30 days of purchase. Here you will find out how to do it.

1. Complete the application for registering a vehicle. Attach the required documents to the application.
2. Submit the documents to the office with jurisdiction over your place of residence or the company's registered office. You can do this in a number of ways. Detailed information can be found in the section Application and collection location.
3. You will receive a decision concerning the vehicle's temporary registration and the number plates. The temporary permit is valid for a maximum of 30 days.
4. Insure your vehicle no later than on the date of registration.
5. The decision on vehicle registration, together with the registration card, should be ready within 30 days.
   [!] You can verify the information concerning the registration card ready for collection yourself at info-car.pl or at the office where you submit the application.

1. Application  to register a vehicle submitted by the owner(s).
2. Consent to the processing of non-mandatory personal data, if you give it.
3. Power of attorney - if you are represented by a proxy in the case. If you wish to submit a copy of the power of attorney, it must be certified as a true copy by:
   • a notary or,
   • an attorney or legal advisor who is a proxy in the case or,
   • an authorised official in charge of the case. In such a case, you must also present the original document.
4. Vehicle Title Document. Such a document can consist in, for example: 
   • a VAT invoice that confirms the purchase of the vehicle, 
   • a sales contract,
   • a contract of exchange,
   • a donation agreement,
   • an annuity agreement,
   • agreement on the division of the estate,
   • agreement on the abolition of joint ownership,
   • a final court decision which determines the right of ownership,

   • a valid decision of the court ascertaining the acquisition of an inheritance, 

   • registered deed of succession certification,

   • an agreement of transfer of ownership of, for example, a bank, 

   • an original transfer of ownership agreement, together with a declaration of reversion and a declaration of full repayment of the debt.

5. One of the documents:
   • the European Community (EC) certificate of conformity, together with a statement that includes the data and information concerning the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
   • a certificate of conformity together with a statement that includes the data and information concerning the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
   • certificate of conformity as referred to in article 27 sec. 1(2) of the Act of 14 April 2023 on systems for the approval of vehicles and their equipment, together with a statement that includes the data and information concerning the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
   • the unit approval of the vehicle, together with a statement that includes the data and information on the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
   • the national individual vehicle approval certificate referred to in Art. 2 sec. 1(33) of the Act of 14 April 2023 on systems for the approval of vehicles and their equipment, together with a statement that includes the data and information on the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
   • recognition of unit vehicle approval,
     recognition of the national individual vehicle approval certificate referred to in Art. 64, sec. 1 of the Act of 14 April 2023 on approval systems for vehicles and their equipment,
   • EC individual vehicle approval certificate,
   • the EU individual vehicle approval certificate referred to in Art. 2 sec. 1(2) of the Act of 14 April 2023 on systems for the approval of vehicles and their equipment, together with a statement that includes the data and information concerning the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle.
6. One of the documents:

• a document which confirms payment of excise duty, if the vehicle was imported from the territory of a Member State of the European Union (EU) and is registered for the first time 
• proof of import clearance - if the vehicle has been imported from the territory of a country which is not an EU Member State and is being registered for the first time
  
  [!] In the case of entrepreneurs who trade in vehicles, the document which confirms the payment of excise duty may be replaced by a statement. It must state that it is in his or her possession. Such information may also be on the proof of ownership and must be signed by the issuer. In the case of customs clearance, the information on the proof of ownership must include the date and number of the clearance document and the name of the authority that cleared it.

7. If you are registering the vehicle as an individual - present an identity document for inspection, such as an identity card or passport.
8. If you are registering the vehicle as a legal entity, e.g. a joint stock company - submit an up-to-date copy of the National Court Register (KRS) for inspection.
   [!] Matters concerning vehicle registration can be handled, on behalf of a legal entity, by an authorised person.
9. If you are a foreigner, a representative of a foreign company or a foreign cultural centre, a foundation, or a press correspondent present:
   1. an identity document for inspection - passport and one of the documents listed below with proof of temporary residence:
      • a Schengen or national visa,
      • a residence card issued in relation to granting a temporary residence permit,
      • a certificate of registering the residence of a European Union (EU) citizen,
      • a residence card of a family member of an EU citizen,
      • a document confirming the EU citizen's right of permanent residence,
      • a permanent residence card of a family member of an EU citizen.
      • a residence card issued in connection with:
      • granting a residence permit for permanent residence,
      • granting a residence permit for a long-term EU resident,
      • granting the status of a refugee,
      • granting subsidiary protection,
      • granting a tolerated stay permit.
   2. for a foreign company - for inspection: a certificate of entry in the register of representative offices of foreign entrepreneurs issued by the Minister of Economy or a current excerpt from the National Court Register for a branch of a foreign entrepreneur.
   3. for cultural centres, foundations, press correspondents - for inspection: international agreements, certificates from embassies, accreditations.

You must submit the attachments to your application in the original or as a certified copy. If you wish to submit a simple photocopy of a document, show the clerk the original or a notarised copy. The clerk will then certify that the copy of this document is a true copy of the original for an additional fee.
If you wish to verify your rights in relation to the processing of your personal data in this case, please read our Information Clause.

You can perform the vehicle registration fees:

1. at the district office cash desk,
2. at a fee machine - if available at the place where you submit the application
3. by bank transfer - select the account assigned to the district in which you will be submitting your application.

Write in the title of the transfer:

• the brand and model of the vehicle,
• the VIN number (this number has 17 characters - verify its correctness before you send the transfer),
• the registration number, if the vehicle already has one.

Possible additional fees:

• PLN 5 - fee for certification of a document copy for conformity with the original by an employee of the office. We charge the fee for the certification of each page started. If you are submitting originals or documents already certified as true copies - we will not charge this fee.
• PLN 17 - stamp duty for submitting a document which confirms granting a power of attorney or proxy. The power of attorney you grant to a spouse, ascendant (parent, grandparent), descendant (child, grandchild), or sibling is free of charge.

You can perform these payments:

• at the district office cash desk
• at the fee machine - if available at the place where you submit the application
• by transfer to a bank account

You can perform a transfer to the authority's bank account: 
The City of Warsaw
Centre for Taxpayer’s Service
21 1030 1508 0000 0005 5000 0070
Write in the title of the transfer what you are paying the fee for, e.g. fee for power of attorney for XXX XXXX in the case of XXXXX the VIN number of the vehicle concerned.

The matter can be handled:

• in person, 
• via a dealership,
• via the internet.

I'm handling the matter in person:

• If you have Polish citizenship - come to the delegation of the Administration and Resident Services Department in the district where you live.
• If you are a foreigner - come to the delegation of the Administration and Resident Services Department in the district where you are registered.
• If you run a company (in the form of a commercial law company) with headquarters or a branch in Warsaw – come to the Administration and Resident Services Department at ul. L. Kruczkowskiego 2.
  • if the registered office is located in the Śródmieście district – come to the Administration and Resident Services Department of Population Records and Vehicle Registration at ul. L. Kruczkowskiego 2.

[!] If the vehicle is not solely owned by you, all owners must come with you to the office, or they can provide you with a power of attorney to handle the matter on their behalf. In such a situation you must have powers of attorney separately from each vehicle owner.

1. Complete a vehicle registration application and consent to the processing of non-mandatory personal data - if you give it. Sign the documents. Attach other required documents to the application.
   [!] You will also get the forms on site at the office.
2. An office employee will confirm your permanent or temporary residence registration in the system. 
   • IIf you have Polish citizenship, but do not have a registered address, an employee of the office may ask you to present another document confirming the fact of your residence at the indicated address, e.g. your annual PIT-37 tax return, an employment contract with the indicated residence address, a flat lease agreement. We will consider each such case individually.
   • If you are a foreigner, you must have a mandatory permanent or temporary registration.
3. We will also verify whether the other documents are complete and do not contain errors. If they are complete and correct - we will register your vehicle. You will immediately receive legalised number plates, a decision on the temporary registration of the vehicle. We will also issue a temporary permit, which is valid for 30 days. It replaces your registration card for this duration.
4. Once you have a registration decision, you must insure the vehicle on the same day.
5. Within 30 days, the Polish Securities Printing House (PWPW) will prepare your registration card. Information whether it is ready for collection can be found at info-car.pl or at the office where you submit your application.
6. Come to the office before the expiry date of the temporary permit and collect the vehicle registration decision and registration card. When collecting the registration card, be sure to return the temporary permit to us and present a valid third-party liability policy.

7. You can only collect the new registration certificate if there has been no change in the ownership of the vehicle, i.e. the vehicle has not been sold or donated to another person, between the date of the application for registration and the date of collection of the decision and the permanent registration certificate.

   [!] If you collect the permanent registration certificate together with the registration decision when you are no longer the owner of the vehicle, a notice of suspicion of the offence of false certification by misleading a public officer may be brought against you.

[!] If you wish to submit the application in person at the office, you can book an appointment through the Appointment Booking System. Booking one appointment date entitles you to handle only one matter - such as registering one vehicle. If you have more matters to handle or more vehicles - book the appropriate number of appointments.

I'm handling the matter via a dealership:

1. The vehicle registration application can be submitted on your behalf by an authorised representative of the dealership where you purchased the vehicle. The dealership must have an ePUAP company account.
2. You must provide the intermediary with the details of the owner(s) of the vehicle: 
   • name and surname,
   • PESEL,
   • date and place of birth,
   • REGON and company name if the car is owned by a company.
3. The representative of the dealership must:
   1. also complete the following data in the vehicle registration application:
      • VIN or body number,
      • vehicle's technical data, i.e. type, brand, model, type of vehicle, year of production, certificate of approval number, intended use of the vehicle,
      • address and contact details of the dealership,
   2. attach the necessary documents to the application:
      • authorisation for a representative of the showroom to apply for registration of the vehicle or to collect the decision on the issuing of the temporary vehicle registration, the temporary permit and the legalised number plates by the office,
      • proof of purchase of the vehicle - when purchasing a vehicle from a showroom, this will be a VAT invoice,
      • one of the documents:
        • the EC certificate of conformity, together with a statement that includes the data and information on the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
        • a certificate of conformity together with a statement that includes the data and information concerning the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
        • certificate of conformity as referred to in article 27 sec. 1(2) of the Act of 14 April 2023 on systems for the approval of vehicles and their equipment, together with a statement that includes the data and information concerning the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
        • the unit approval of the vehicle, together with a statement that includes the data and information on the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
        • the national individual vehicle approval certificate referred to in Art. 2 sec. 1(2) of the Act of 14 April 2023 on systems for the approval of vehicles and their equipment, together with a statement that includes the data and information concerning the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
        • recognition of unit vehicle approval,
        • recognition of the national individual vehicle approval certificate referred to in Art. 64, sec. 1 of the Act of 14 April 2023 on approval systems for vehicles and their equipment,
        • EC individual vehicle approval certificate,
        • the EU individual vehicle approval certificate referred to in Art. 2 sec. 1(33) of the Act of 14 April 2023 on systems for the approval of vehicles and their equipment, together with a statement that includes the data and information on the vehicle necessary for registering and deregistering the vehicle,
      • proof of import clearance, if the car was imported into Poland by a car dealer from outside the territory of a European Union (EU) country,
      • a document confirming the payment of excise duty on the national territory, if the car was purchased by a dealership abroad,
      • confirmation of performing the payment for issuing a temporary permit, legalised number plates, and registration card;
4. After submitting the application, the vehicle will be temporarily registered for 30 days and a representative of the dealership will collect the temporary registration decision, temporary permit, and number plates on your behalf. Within 30 days, we will verify the correctness of the documents and have the registration card prepared, and then register the car permanently. After collecting the registration card in a manner indicated in the application (via a member of staff at the dealership, by post or courier, or after collecting it in person at the office), you can use your car without fear.
5. You must insure a car from a dealership no later than on the date of registration.
6. You can only collect the new registration certificate if there has been no change in the ownership of the vehicle, i.e. the vehicle has not been sold or donated to another person, between the date of the application for registration and the date of collection of the decision and the permanent registration certificate. 
   [!] If you collect the permanent registration certificate together with the registration decision when you are no longer the owner of the vehicle, a notice of suspicion of the offence of false certification by misleading a public officer may be brought against you.

I'm handling the matter online:

You can register your vehicle online via the Polish Securities Printing House (PWPW) box at https://www.esp.pwpw.pl/ - you must have an account set up in the PWPW Electronic Submission Box (ESP).

[!] You will receive all information and notifications to your ESP.

1. You can sign the electronic application:
   • with a signature confirmed by an ePUAP trusted profile, or 
   • by means of a secure electronic signature verified by a valid qualified certificate.
2. Attach the documents listed in the Required Documents section to the application in the form of a scan or photo.
3. Once we have received the application, we need to verify it. If all details are correct and complete, we will call on you to provide us with the originals of the required documents. You will receive the request electronically to the ESP box from which the request was received.
4. Provide us with the required documents via post with acknowledgement of receipt or by courier with return receipt at your expense.
5. After receiving and verifying the documents, we will contact you by email to arrange for the following to be sent by post with acknowledgement of receipt (at your expense): temporary permit, legalised number plates, decision on temporary vehicle registration.
6. Once you have received your registration decision, you must insure your vehicle on the same day.
7. Within 30 days, we will inform you by email when you can collect your registration card. You can do this in person at the office. After arranging it with us, we can also send it to you by post with acknowledgement of receipt at your expense.
8. You can only collect the new registration certificate if there has been no change in the ownership of the vehicle, i.e. the vehicle has not been sold or donated to another person, between the date of the application for registration and the date of collection of the decision and the permanent registration certificate. 
   [!] If you collect the permanent registration certificate together with the registration decision when you are no longer the owner of the vehicle, a notice of suspicion of the offence of false certification by misleading a public officer may be brought against you.

Administration & Resident Services Department of the City of Warsaw

1. Immediately - cases that do not require information or explanations or the collection of evidence.
2. Up to 1 month - cases that require investigation proceedings.
3. Up to 2 months - particularly complex cases.

If you receive a decision, you may appeal against it to the Local Administration Appeal Board in Warsaw (ul. Obozowa 57). Submit your appeal through the Mayor of Warsaw, who issued the decision.

• If you have Polish citizenship - at the Administration and Resident Services Department in the district, where you live.
• If you are a foreigner - at the Administration  and Resident Services Department in the district, where you are registered.
• If you run a company (in the form of a commercial law company) with headquarters or a branch in Warsaw - at the Administration and Resident Services Department at ul. L. Kruczkowskiego 2,
  • if the registered office is located in the Śródmieście district – at the Administration and Resident Services Department of Population Records and Vehicle Registration at ul. L. Kruczkowskiego 2.

You have 14 days from the date of receiving the decision to file an appeal. You do not have to pay to submit an appeal.

1. As the owner of a vehicle, you are obliged to register your vehicle within 30 days of purchase. If you are an entrepreneur and deal in vehicle trade, you have 90 days to register your vehicle. If you fail to do so by the deadline you face an administrative penalty. For more information, see our article "New vehicle registration rules from 1 January 2024".
2. The competent authority for vehicle registration in Warsaw is the Mayor of Warsaw. Employees authorised by the Mayor are required to verify that the vehicle has a valid third-party insurance.  They will do this on the day they issue the registration card and the decision on the permanent registration of your vehicle. If you fail to present us with a valid third-party liability policy this will not affect a positive outcome. However, we must notify the Insurance Guarantee Fund (UBF), which may impose a financial penalty on you.
3. In the Mazowieckie Voivodship, licence plates with the distinguishing mark "W" (e.g. WX 12345) are coming to an end. Until the pool of such plates is exhausted, we will continue to register cars with this distinguishing mark. The Minister of Infrastructure has already assigned us a new distinguishing mark for number plates, namely "A" (e.g. AX 12345). From January 2023, we will be issuing new number plates starting with the letter "A" for vehicles that have reduced number plates.
4. Natural and legal persons who own trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, truck tractors and ballast tractors with a maximum permissible weight of the vehicle combination of 3.5 tonnes or more, trailers and semi-trailers with a maximum permissible weight of 7 tonnes or more together with the motor vehicle, and buses must pay a tax on means of transport. More information and declaration forms can be found in the information sheet Determining/correcting the tax liability for transport tax on natural and legal persons.

0.  
1. Act of 14 June 1960 Code of Administrative Procedure
2. Act of 20 June 1997 on Road Traffic Law
3. Act of 16 November 2006 on Stamp Duty
4. Act of 22 May 2003 on Compulsory Insurance, the Insurance Guarantee Fund and the Polish Motor Insurers' Bureau
5. Act of 20 January 2005 on Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicles
6. Act of 14 April 2023 on approval systems for vehicles and their equipment
7. Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 8 November 2024 on Registering and Marking Vehicles, Requirements for Number Plates, and Templates of Other Documents Relating to Vehicle Registration 
8. Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 31 August 2022 on the Detailed Activities of the Authorities in Matters Relating to the Admission of a Vehicle to Traffic and Templates of Documents in These Matters
9. Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 4 August 2022 on the Amount of Fees for Issuing a Registration Card, a Temporary Permit, and Legalised Number Plates Plates (Plate) and Their Duplicates
10. Act of 12 January 1991 on Local Taxes and Charges
11. Act of 11 March 2004 on Value Added Tax
12. Act of 24 September 2010 on Population Registration
13. Act of 7 July 2023 on Amending Certain Laws to Mitigate Certain Effects of Identity Theft (sejm.gov.pl)