Temporary plates in Europe
When you buy a car abroad or move an unregistered car from one country to another, you need temporary plates. Every country has its own system, and whether the plates are valid abroad varies. We have compiled from official sources how temporary plates work in different countries.
| Country | Plates | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | Siirtolupa (transfer plates) | up to 7 days | permit + insurance fee |
| Germany | Kurzzeitkennzeichen / Ausfuhrkennzeichen | 5 days / up to 1 year | about EUR 13 + plates + insurance |
| Sweden | Tillfällig registrering vid export | 1 month (used) | – |
| Denmark | Prøvemærker | up to 7 days | DKK 100/day |
| Norway | Prøveskilt | 24 h, longer at a traffic station | NOK 340/day |
| Netherlands | Exportkenteken / transitokenteken | 14 days | transito from EUR 193.20 (RDW) |
Country guides
- FinlandFinnish temporary plates (siirtomerkit) are issued with a transfer permit for up to 7 days. Who can apply, ins…
- GermanyGerman 5-day plates (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) and export plates (Ausfuhr-/Zollkennzeichen): duration, cost, who ca…
- SwedenA foreign buyer of a car in Sweden can get a temporary export registration (tillfällig registrering vid export…
- DenmarkDanish temporary plates (prøvemærker): up to 7 days, DKK 100 per day including insurance. Who can order them a…
- NorwayNorwegian temporary plates (prøveskilt) from Statens vegvesen: NOK 340 per day incl. insurance, who can apply …
- NetherlandsDutch export plates (exportkenteken) and transit plates (transitokenteken) for foreign cars: 14 days, prices, …
Are temporary plates recognised in other EU countries?
No EU legislation or international convention obliges member states to recognise another country's temporary plates. The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968) and the Registration Documents Directive 1999/37/EC concern registered vehicles and registration certificates; the directive leaves temporary registration documents to national discretion.
The Commission's proposal for a new registration documents directive (COM(2025) 179) would recognise temporary documents only if they meet the directive's requirements. The proposal is not yet in force.
Practice varies by country: the Nordic countries accept each other's transfer plates under an agreement, Germany accepts a foreign transfer document only if it has been published in the Verkehrsblatt (FZV section 46), and many authorities stress that recognition abroad is not guaranteed. Always check with the authority of every country on the route.
Need Finnish temporary plates?
We apply for the Finnish transfer permit on your behalf with a power of attorney for up to 7 days, and post the plates or send them as a scan. The route can, for example, start or end at Hanko Free Port.
Order Finnish temporary plates →Sources
- Wienin tieliikennesopimus 1968 / Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
- Direktiivi / Directive 1999/37/EC
- COM(2025) 179 – 2025/0096(COD)
- FZV § 46
- ECC-Net: Transit plates in the EU (2019)
Checked against official sources on 10 November 2026. Rules and fees change – always check the current information with the authority before driving.