Buying and registering a bike in EU - Austria

[Wauschi]

I've travelled the world with locally arranged vehicles.
That's very doable in many parts of the world.

When I returned home to Austria from my last trip I was wandering why not more people start their adventure here in Europe. There's plenty of outstanding routes and one can easily continue to Africa or the East. The vehicles are usually in good condition and are very affordable. It turned out it is quite challanging for non-EU-citicens to get locally registered and only then you will be able to buy, register and insure the vehicle.

We sat together with the officials of my town and the insurance company.
I think we figured out a way to legally, locally register a vehicle and get a green insurance card for someone with a valid 3 months tourist visa.

I am offering support to someone interested in locally arranging a vehicle in Austria.
Feel free to PM me in case you are serious.

Wauschi

[LC8Joe]

In Germany is also very easy to register a bike, if someone would like to start a trip from Munich and need help just let me know.

[Bell driver]

Originally Posted by LC8Joe

In Germany is also very easy to register a bike, if someone would like to start a trip from Munich and need help just let me know.

And here I thought one needs proof of local residency and a German bank account for the deduction of road tax...

Are you referring to an export plate ?

[LC8Joe]

Originally Posted by Bell driver

Are you referring to an export plate ?

Yes, you've a month to leave Germany, that should be enough for most travelers

[OzMatt]

Originally Posted by LC8Joe

In Germany is also very easy to register a bike, if someone would like to start a trip from Munich and need help just let me know.

Hi mate,
I saw your post about foreigners registering a bike in Germany and I would like your help and advice.
I want to come over (from Australia) in August and September and ride around. I would like to but a bike and then find somewhere to leave it and return once a year or so and do more riding.
I've seen a bike near Cologne that I'm interested in - what's the deal with changing the plate to the region you live?
Any more information you have will be greatly appreciated.

Matt

[LC8Joe]

Originally Posted by OzMatt

I've seen a bike near Cologne that I'm interested in - what's the deal with changing the plate to the region you live?
Matt

Hi Matt, changing plate is the normal process, you buy where ever and get the plate from the place you where you register it.
If your plan is to leave the bike in Germany after traveling around, then the process I described may not be the most appropriate.

[OzMatt]

Originally Posted by Wauschi

Feel free to PM me in case you are serious.

Wauschi

Message sent.

[ElGordo]

Thanks for your info. I have a son in Vienna. I am considering 12 months of motorcycle travel Europe, beginning in Vienna ... Thinking I should buy (previously owned), travel, and sell in Vienna ... this would be in 2018 - 19 ... any thoughts ?? I ride a Harley Davidson bagger ....

thx ..

G

[Tony LEE]

Originally Posted by LC8Joe

Yes, you've a month to leave Germany, that should be enough for most travelers

So then you are roaming around europe and the rest of the world without valid registration, number plates and no insurance. Doesn't sound much of an idea.

OzMatt, you can't register and insure a vehicle in Germany unless you are a resident. The other way is to have friends in Germany who would be willing to own it on your behalf. An Australian can get resident status in Germany without a lot of hassles since the whole process is done at the local level but you still need an address that the local officials will accept. I'd say the same restrictions apply to the whole of the EU and when I asked around a few years ago a Dutch company offering proxy ownership of dutch vehicles for foreigners actually used Dutch citizens to own the vehicle. Somewhat shonky but does the job.
We have "owned" a motorhome in Germany for about 5 years and go back every now and then. When we aren't using it, it is deregistered and de-insured and sits in the motorhome dealers yard. They register and insure it in the company name and lend it to me.

[chris]

Can't comment on the legal situation of buying and registering a motor vehicle in Austria as I have no experience of Austrian bureaucracy.

However, contrary to what's claimed above, as already described at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...bike-non-91226 in posts 7 and 13, it is possible to buy in Germany as a non resident, but NOT register a vehicle legally, unless you yourself are registered in Germany. One of my passports is German (issued at the German embassy in London ) and I can't register a vehicle in Germany as I'm living in England.

I can't comment on how difficult it is to register as a person in Germany. As an EU citizen probably straight forward, but from elsewhere, unless you have a work permit...

Easiest in my experience is the UK to register a vehicle. There you just need an address. The UK hurdle will be getting UK insurance if you don't have a UK driver's license.

[Fruid]

The problem buying a bike from another country is getting insurance FOR THE BIKE
It's quite easy to get Green Card (3rd Party insurance) as I have found buying a bike in Czech Rep. but impossible so far to get it covered for theft.
Meaning I won't be able to sleep at night for fear of going out in the morning and finding my £5k bike has been lifted into someones van and been stripped for parts while I have to sort out getting home.
I am just going to have to risk it and have organised at great length to get the bike locked in a garage every night at the B&B's I am staying in..not camping..been there.
My UK insurance (Bennets) for my other bike won't touch it.
If you buy an old undesirable bike (early BMW K series springs to mind although I quite like them, or an early Triumph Trophy 900/1200 with panniers) then it is far less likely to get thieves attention.

[wheatwhacker]

Hi guys.
The process of buying a bike in The UK and Ireland is very basic.
All you need is an address.
I have been buying bike on behalf of riders all over the world for the past 5 years in Ireland.
The issue is insurance. Local insurers will not insure non residents without an valid EU license.
Some of my clients have been buying online insurance by basically ticking all the boxes they need to tick in order to get basic coverage and in many instances, the breakdown coverage they offer works very well.
Under EU law, everyone is entitled to buy insurance no matter where you come from but, the insurers are fussy.

Here's how you can legally get a quote from Irish insurers.
3 letters of refusal and make sure the date/time is noted clearly of the inquiry
Details why no quotation
Send detail to declined@insuranceireland.eu
Also, send whatever documentation you have, rider training, copy of licence, current insurance policy's etc.


Lobagola B&B | design bed & breakfast in the center of Zagreb in Croatia seems to be after finding a way to insure foreign riders on EU bikes and offers a very professional service.

[Bell driver]

Classifieds, ebay...

[nick2022]

Originally Posted by LC8Joe

In Germany is also very easy to register a bike, if someone would like to start a trip from Munich and need help just let me know.

Hey. I know this is several years later but I was hoping to get some of that aged advice?