Since the reform introduced by the “Security Decree” in 2018 and Law no. 238/2021, strict rules apply in Italy for persons resident in Italy who use a car with a foreign licence plate. The aim is to prevent abusive foreign registrations (“esterovestizione” of vehicles).
Under traffic law, the decisive factor is the residenza anagrafica (registered residence in the municipal register). Anyone registered as resident in an Italian municipality is treated as resident. For tax aspects of residence, see our Lexikon entry Lebensmittelpunkt in Italien (centro della vita).
If the car belongs to a person who moves their residence to Italy, the vehicle must be registered in Italy within 3 months from the date on which residence is established. Otherwise, fines, immobilisation and, in the most serious cases, confiscation of the vehicle may be imposed.
If a person resident in Italy drives a car with foreign registration that is not registered in their name (e.g. company car of a foreign employer, leasing, long-term rental, loan), the following applies:
Tourists and persons resident abroad may generally drive in Italy with their foreign-registered car for up to one year without changing the registration, provided they themselves are not resident in Italy.
Once the car is registered in Italy, Italian car tax (bollo auto) as well as Italian insurance premiums and, where applicable, business taxes (e.g. depreciation of the company car, value-added tax) generally become relevant. See also our Lexikon entries Mehrwertsteuer in Italien (IVA) and Abschreibung (ammortamento).
1. I have moved to Italy and still own a car with German/Austrian registration. What do I have to do?
You must re-register the car within 3 months of your residence being registered in
Italy. Otherwise, you risk fines, immobilisation and, where applicable, confiscation
of the vehicle.
2. I live in Italy and my employer in Germany provides me with a company car. Am I allowed to drive it?
In principle yes, provided you carry a written agreement with a date-certain signature
(e.g. leasing or use agreement) showing the legal basis and duration of use. If the
vehicle is used for more than 30 days per year, REVE registration may also be required;
for use strictly for business purposes there are some simplifications.
3. Does every car with a foreign licence plate have to be registered in the REVE?
No. The REVE obligation applies to persons or businesses resident in Italy who use a
car with foreign registration for more than 30 days per year. Tourists, persons
resident abroad and certain employees with company cars are exempt.
4. What happens if I ignore the documentation or REVE obligations?
You risk administrative fines (amounting to several hundred euros), temporary
immobilisation of the vehicle and – if the situation is not remedied within the
prescribed period – confiscation or forfeiture of the car.
5. Do the rules also apply to vehicles with number plates from another EU country?
Yes. The provisions of Art. 93-bis of the Italian Highway Code apply regardless of the
country of registration, i.e. to number plates from both EU and non-EU states. What
matters is your residence or registered office in Italy and the duration of use.