Permit needed for imported used vehicles to be driven as from Friday

Thanks for the info, Terry!

Does anyone have any ideas if this could mean any problems for the following situation:

My family and I are planning to come to Malta for approx. 3 months next summer. I'll hopefully be working, while my wife and the kids are on "holiday" - we'd like to test Malta-life before we decide whether we're really ready to move there for good.
We're thinking about coming to Malta in our car. There are 2 good reasons for this, in my opinion: firstly, it would allow us to take more stuff from Austria for our stay (including the bicycles, and kids' stuff), and secondly, we'd have a car while on the island (makes shopping etc. easier).
I've owned the car for about 4 years (the car is 14 years old). The car is insured in Austria (and the insurance covers all EU member states). The car is registered in Austria in my name at my permanent address (habitual abode) in Austria, which I will be registered at all through the 3-months stay in Malta, regardless of whether I'll be registered at another address abroad (I'm also registered at 2 more addresses in Austria; both non-habitual abodes).
Registering the car in Malta is no option for a number of reasons: First, we have two cars running on the same number plates (which is possible in Austria, it's called a "transferable number plate" and allows you to run 2 cars on the same plates - not at the same time, of course - while only paying tax and insurance for the bigger, i.e. more expensive one). And secondly, after the three months we'll take the car back to Austria again.

If we decide to move to Malta for good (which won't be before 2017), it's unlikely we'll bring the car with us (i.e. "import" the car), as it's too big and the steering wheel is on the wrong side for Malta. But that's nothing to think about just yet.

All I'm concerned about for now is the three months or so next summer.
Would bringing the car as mentioned above be considered as "importing"?
If so, would the new rules posted by Terry also apply for tourist cars - or how are the authorities going to be able to tell a car is a "tourist's" car?

Any advice on this will be much appreciated

The Maltese authorities do not care about your reasons for having  several cars and abodes in Austria . Your case is exactly what they are focussing on ! And it is very easy for them to check whether you are a ' tourist' or are resident when they catch you driving the car with Austrian number plates.They just call the ID card office. They won't check parked cars.

The magical word is ' lack of enforcement' of existing and/or new laws.

So for you it's  either don't apply for residency , don't drive the car or just take the risk. But you still have time to decide. In January with implemention of the ' new' rules the level of enforcement will become more clear.

Cheers
Ricky

It will all depend on the enforcement and the residency status.

If you are a tourist then no problem but as a tourist you cannot work.

Once you start work you would then be classed ( by the government) as resident in Malta,
as Ricky has said its at your own risk !

Terry

Thanks Terry and Ricky.

Hi terry!

I am looking to drive through Europe to Malta in January because we are planing on moving there and hopefully get our residency permit (which I've been told it's easy enough)
I have been reading ur answers about this topic and need you to explain what exactly I have to do?
Is this right.... Drive onto the island, no checks then. Go to my home address and then register the car the next workIng day? Or is there more to it than that?
I have my car on finance and really do not want to give it back and lose a fortune also it helps us take all our bits and bobs with us.

Thank you in advance!

You will be arriving as a tourist and will remain so until  you apply for your EID.
Then you must start the registration process, details on this link..

http://www.transport.gov.mt/land-transp … individual

If you have owned the vehicle for more than two years in your name and want to claim exemption from paying the import fee then best to start applying as early as you can.

The original post only applies to residents importing a car.

Terry

The cars are actually on finiance- would this count?

If the vehicle is in your name then its not a problem, however you would need to advise the finance company that you are exporting the car as they may not allow it!

Terry

Your finance company is unlikely to allow it, most UK finance companies will a) only finance cars in the UK b) allow you to exit for holiday up to 28 days.

You could try not telling them, but honestly its just looking for trouble. 

Importing your car will come with HEAVY registration duties.  I imported mine and I am just about to hand over EUR4800 this week.

This has been covered to death here by other posts.  But to get a feel for the costs head on over to http://www.valuation.vehicleregistratio … hicle.aspx and just type in your car dets and you'll see, the number there is not a mistake.

Thank you for your message. I need to way up the pros and cons about bringing a car or buying a car? What are the prices of cars out there? I am not wanting anything special just something that won't die on me and lasts a few years lol

Now that is a good question with no answer.

I bought an used Toyota Vitz 6 years ago and have had no problems. The car was 2 years old and cost 10.000 Euros.

Cheers
Ricky

See this is what I mean.... It maybe worth just paying the tax on a car that I no? At quarter of that price. Think the tax on my little fiat 500 is coming in at 2600 euros. I think this maybe a better idea and I will get to see Europe then ... Lol