Import a Car from Germany to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for Germany imports
Calculate Import VRT →Germany Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from Germany.
Importing from Germany to Ireland
As an EU member, cars imported from Germany attract 0% customs duty, but Irish VRT and 23% VAT still apply.
The VRT itself is the same CO2-based calculation used for every Irish import. What changes with Germany is the customs duty and the currency conversion (prices are typically quoted in EUR). Always budget for VRT plus customs duty plus 23% VAT when calculating your total landed cost.
Step-by-step Germany import process
- Buy the vehicle and obtain the registration document and proof of purchase.
- Arrange shipping/transport to Ireland.
- Clear customs and pay any duty (0% (EU member)) and Irish VAT at 23%.
- Book a VRT appointment and present the Certificate of Conformity with CO2 and NOx data.
- Revenue assesses OMSP, charges VRT, and you receive Irish plates.
Germany Import Cost Example
For a car with an Irish OMSP of EUR 40,000 and CO2 of 140g/km (20% band), the VRT would be EUR 8,000 before age depreciation. Add customs duty of 0% (EU member) on the value and 23% Irish VAT on the combined figure. Use the calculator above to model your specific vehicle.
Germany: Europe's Biggest Source of Premium Imports
Germany is the single largest source of premium car imports to Ireland. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche are all built there, and the German used car market is enormous — with millions of vehicles listed on platforms like Mobile.de and AutoScout24. German cars are left-hand drive, which is the standard in Ireland, and they come with EU-standard Certificates of Conformity containing WLTP CO2 and NOx data, making the VRT process straightforward.
As an EU member, there's 0% customs duty, and the currency is the euro, so there's no exchange rate risk. Germany is also well-connected to Ireland — direct ferry routes run from Hamburg and Bremerhaven to Dublin, with crossing times of 2–3 days. Alternatively, you can drive to the Netherlands or Belgium and take a shorter ferry. Shipping costs run €500–€900. German vehicles are typically well-documented with full service histories, which helps when Revenue assesses the OMSP. A 2021 BMW 320d can be found for €22,000–€28,000, often €8,000–€12,000 less than the Irish price.
Germany Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to Germany imports?
Customs duty from Germany is 0% (EU member). It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a Germany car?
VRT uses the Irish OMSP and the CO2-based bands, identical to any other import. The country of origin only affects customs duty and VAT, not the VRT rate.
Do I pay VAT on a Germany import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.