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MOVING AROUND EUROPE AND DVLA ISSUE
Hi I am leaving for Portugal in a couple of months in my campervan, I will be travelling around europe after Jan 2012. If I am out of the UK for more than 12 months I have to by law, change registration of the vehicle. how does this work when I may not be staying in one europian country for more than a month. how long is it before I have to re enter the UK. I am a little confused on Import tax and if I would have to pay it or what number plate do I need to change it to, when I will be in different countries for the year.?? Please help. :)
If the vehicle is outside of the UK for more than 1 year it is effectively being exported. You would legally need to export it from the UK and import it into another country. Of course this is just paperwork. The vehicle can still travel over borders.
As you say, if you move between other countries frequently then changing the country of registration would be a hassle.
Is there no way of having the vehicle return back to the UK once every year?
Do you intend to return to the UK eventually with the vehicle?
Hi thanks for your reply's We are planning to go for as long as possible, perhaps even find employment for us to stay. So knowing whether we are going to return is unknown so I need to make sure I do it right thing first time. Can this bee done while I am away or does it need to be done before we go?
When re-entering the uk and then leaving again within in the year, does that mean the year will start again when leaving again?
thanks Vicky
You can export the vehicle whilst you are away. You V5 log book document has a section for exporting the vehicle.
When the vehicle re-enters the UK the year starts again. You should get the vehicle MOT'd and taxed at that point.
You could do this every year until you know if you are going to live in another country, at which point you can re-register the vehicle in that country.
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Firstly, I think you need to ensure that your Isurance covers you for European travel longer than a month or so.
I can't imagine why you would need to re-register your vehicle if you move from one country to the next.
As there is no entry/exit visas needed from EU countries to reciprocating countries, there really is no record of if the vehicle has stayed continuously in 1 country or been goin in and out. Just ensure the vehicle is properly insured, taxed and tested inline with it's country of origin, ie UK and there will be no hassle.