Importing a car into Greece: Part 2

Hello again.

Last week I mentioned that I would be going into some detail as to how you import your beloved car into Greece. Here goes: you first need to start with

Temporary Importation:

EU citizens are free to keep their EU state registered car for six months without customs control. After six months the car must be re-exported or cleared through customs.The vehicle registration document and proof of ownership is required at all times and you should be able to prove to the authorities when the vehicle was brought into Greece.

Only the owner, their spouse and children may use the car.

There are some exceptions where individuals may import a vehicle for private use for longer than six months without paying import duties and taxes. These include:

• Students in further education
• Individuals on a fixed term contract with the Greek state
• Teaching staff on a fixed term contract with higher education institutes
• Diplomatic and Consular staff and their employees

To qualify for a second period of tax free circulation either both the vehicle and the owner should be out of Greece for at least 185 days or, while the owner is away for the given period, the vehicle can remain at a sealed area designated by the Customs authority.

After the expiry of the period granted by the customs authorities, the vehicle should either be:

• Imported into Greece and may not be used until it is on Greek plates
• Sealed with the customs for a period of at least 6 months (but no more than 24 months)after which time, provided the owner can show that they have been out of Greece for at least 6 months during this time, another 6 month circulation period may be granted
  

Failure to conform to the above may result in the Greek Customs imposing steep fines for each extra day after the expired period and there is always the possibility that vehicle may be confiscated. Under such circumstances, the vehicle will not be released to the owner unless they agree to clear it through customs or export it from Greece.

Next week I’ll be moving on to the all-important permanent importation step. I would love to hear from you if you have done this: do contact me and let me know how it went won’t you?

Tonight I am off to a talk by the author James Ellroy – from everything I have read about him it should prove interesting…to say the very least!

This comes with my best wishes – summer is almost over here…Let me take that back – it’s gone for good this year I reckon! I must say however that I love the chilly days and the excuse to stay lazily inside and read a good book, watch a DVD or the telly or write…

See you next week!

Carol
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com