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How to buy a car as an expat in the Netherlands

How to buy a car as an expat in the Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands is exciting, until you realise the train doesn’t always go where you need to be. A car can make your new life here much easier. In this guide you’ll learn how to buy a car as an expat in the Netherlands.

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Author:
Mark van Zelst

Moving to the Netherlands is exciting, until you realise the train doesn’t always go where you need to be, it rains a lot and hauling groceries on a bike gets old quickly. A car can make your new life here much easier. In this guide you’ll learn how to buy a car as an expat in the Netherlands: driving-licence rules, registration, insurance, road tax, financing and how our online platform Carvendo can take a lot of the stress out of the process.

1. Can you drive in the Netherlands with a foreign licence?

Yes, but only for a limited time.

  • You may drive with a foreign driving licence for a maximum of 185 days after you’re registered in the Dutch municipality (BRP).
  • After those 185 days you must either:
    • Exchange your licence for a Dutch one, or
    • Take Dutch theory and practical exams if your licence cannot be exchanged.

You can usually exchange your licence if it was issued in:

  • An EU or EFTA country, or
  • A country that has an agreement with the Netherlands and follows European driving-licence guidelines.

If your licence is from a country without such an agreement, you must pass both Dutch exams to obtain a Dutch licence.
Once you hand in your foreign licence at the town hall to exchange it, you may not drive until you receive your Dutch licence.

2. The 30% ruling and your driving licence

Many expats qualify for the 30% ruling, a Dutch tax advantage for employees recruited from abroad who have specific, scarce expertise. If your employer applies this ruling, up to 30% of your gross salary can be paid tax-free to compensate for extra costs of living outside your home country.

Costs related to:

  • Applying for a Dutch driving licence, or
  • Exchanging your foreign licence

are often considered extraterritorial expenses, which means they can fall under the 30% ruling. Always check your personal situation with HR or a tax adviser.
In some situations, the 30% ruling can also make it possible to continue using a foreign licence under specific conditions, sometimes for you and your family members living at the same address. Check the current rules carefully, as these are quite technical and can change.

3. Documents you need to buy a car as an expat

What you need depends on whether you already have a Dutch licence.

If you have a Dutch driving licence

Easy mode:

  • Your valid Dutch driving licence is the only document you need to buy and register a car in your name.
If you have a foreign driving licence

To buy and register a car, you typically need:

  1. A valid foreign driving licence
  2. Your passport (original, not a copy)
  3. An extract from the municipal civil registry (BRP), not older than 3 months

Carvendo will tell you exactly which documents to bring for registration at the RDW.

4. Car registration (tenaamstelling) and the RDW

Every vehicle in the Netherlands must be registered with the RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer, the Dutch vehicle authority). Registering a car in your name is called “tenaamstelling”.

With a Dutch licence

If you buy from a dealer or via Carvendo and you have a Dutch licence:

  • The seller arranges the digital registration when the car is delivered.
  • You receive a registration code and confirmation that the car is now legally in your name.
With a foreign licence

If you have a foreign licence, registration works a bit differently:

  • The car is not registered at your doorstep.
  • Delivery and registration take place at a nearby RDW inspection station.
  • You bring:
    • Your foreign driving licence
    • Your BRP extract (max. 3 months old)

Carvendo or the selling dealer will make the RDW appointment with you and guide you through what to expect.

5. How to arrange car insurance in the Netherlands

You are not allowed to drive an uninsured car on Dutch public roads.

To arrange insurance you’ll need:

  • The registration code of your car (normally sent to you shortly before delivery).
  • Your personal details and, if available, your no-claims/bonus history.

Most drivers compare and buy car insurance online. You can choose between:

  • WA (liability only) – minimum legal coverage
  • WA + limited casco – liability plus limited damage to your own car
  • All-risk (WA + full casco) – most comprehensive

Make sure the start date of your insurance equals the delivery date of your car, that’s when the car is in your name and can go on the road.

Compare insurance prices ->

6. Road tax and other running costs

Besides the purchase price or monthly instalment, expect ongoing costs.

Fixed monthly costs
  1. Car insurance – compulsory
  2. Road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting / MRB) – also compulsory

Road tax depends on:

  • Vehicle weight
  • Fuel type (petrol, diesel, electric, etc.)
  • CO₂ emissions
  • The province where you live

After your car is registered in your name, the Tax Office automatically sends you:

  1. A road-tax assessment, and
  2. A form to set up automatic direct debit (optional).

You can pay monthly by direct debit or quarterly by invoice. When you sell the car, your road-tax obligation stops automatically as soon as the registration is transferred, and any overpaid tax is refunded.

Variable costs

Variable costs depend on how and what you drive:

  • Fuel or charging costs
  • Regular maintenance and repairs
  • Tyres
  • Depreciation – the car losing value over time

As a rough guideline, many drivers pay €75–€100 per month in fixed costs alone; variable costs depend heavily on mileage and fuel/energy prices.

7. Financing & leasing options for expats

You don’t necessarily have to buy a car outright. In the Netherlands you can finance a car as an expat in different ways.

What lenders usually ask from expats
  • Recent payslip (max. 3 months)
  • Passport or ID card
  • Residence permit
  • Recent bank statement showing at least one full month of income and expenses
  • A valid driving licence (Dutch or foreign)

Traditional banks can be strict if you don’t have a long Dutch credit history. Specialized finance partners (such as those cooperating with Carvendo) can be more flexible and assess your personal situation more individually. Read more about private finance.

Common financing products
  1. Revolving/continuous credit
    • Credit limit you can withdraw from.
    • You only pay interest on what you’ve actually used.
    • Early repayment and re-borrowing are usually possible.
  2. Personal loan / hire purchase (huurkoop)
    • Fixed interest and fixed monthly instalments.
    • Clear end date and total cost known upfront.
    • Everything arranged fully digital in about 10 minutes via Carvendo’s finance partners.
  3. Final-term / balloon financing
    • The car’s residual value at the end of the contract is taken into account.
    • You pay off only part of the amount during the term, plus interest on the full loan.
    • Monthly payments are lower; at the end you can trade in, refinance or pay the remainder at once.
Leasing options

Two main types of leasing are relevant:

  • Financial lease: similar to a loan for business drivers; you become the economic owner of the car and spread the cost over time.
  • Operational lease / private lease, more like long-term renting. The lease company remains the owner and your monthly price often includes maintenance, repairs and sometimes insurance. Carvendo compares different lease providers so you can pick the best deal for your situation.

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Read more about financing ->

8. Buying a car online as an expat: why many choose Carvendo

Searching for a reliable used car in a new country can be stressful: new brands, different rules, and a language you may not fully master. Carvendo is designed to make this easier.

Who is Carvendo?

Carvendo is a Dutch online platform for buying and financing used cars. It was founded in 2025 by former employees of Bynco with over 25 years of automotive experience and one clear mission: let people buy a used car worry-free.

On Carvendo.nl you’ll find thousands of pre-owned cars that:

  • Meet strict criteria for age, mileage, condition and price
  • Are offered by carefully selected dealers across the Netherlands
  • Come with at least 12 months BOVAG warranty and are prepared so the first 12,000 km or 12 months require no maintenance costs.
Why Carvendo works well for expats
  • English-speaking experts & independent advice
    Carvendo’s advisers help you choose the right car based on your needs and budget, not based on brand or margin.
  • Dutch licence not required to buy
    You can buy or finance a car with a foreign licence; Carvendo simply arranges delivery via an RDW station or dealer instead of your home.
  • Fast, digital financing
    Financing options like hire purchase can be arranged within around 10 minutes, fully online.
  • Free home delivery
    Once the deal is final, your car is delivered to your home free of charge (or ready for you at the dealer/RDW location).
  • Checked cars and transparent conditions
    Cars are checked on condition, maintenance history, damage and price so you can be confident you’re getting a fair, safe car.
How Carvendo’s online buying process works

Carvendo’s process is tailored to people who prefer to arrange everything online, including expats.

1. Choose your car online

Browse thousands of cars on Carvendo.nl/en. If you’re not sure what suits you, you can book a free advice call with an expert who will help you choose.

2. Order under condition of test drive

You can order your car under the condition of a test drive. That means:

  • The car is booked for you.
  • You are not yet committed to the purchase.
  • Carvendo arranges a test drive at the dealer
3. Test drive before the purchase is final

During the test drive you can check:

  • Comfort and driving behaviour
  • Space for family, luggage, sports gear, etc.
  • Whether the car fits your daily routes and parking situation

If you like the car, the purchase becomes final and Carvendo/its partner dealer prepares the car completely following their checklist.

Prefer to skip the test drive? That’s possible, but then – according to Carvendo’s conditions – you waive the statutory 14-day cooling-off period for distance sales and cannot return the car afterwards.

4. Free delivery & handover

Once the car is ready:

  • Carvendo arranges free home delivery or collection at the dealer/RDW station.
  • The driver explains the basics of the car, hands over the keys, and all paperwork is completed.
5. After-sales: warranty & no maintenance costs

After delivery:

  • You have at least 12 months BOVAG warranty on your Carvendo car.
  • The first 12,000 km or 12 months (whichever comes first) you shouldn’t have maintenance costs; if something arises that should reasonably have been fine, Carvendo and the dealer help you get it solved.

There is no separate “14-day free return” period after delivery; the key safeguard is that you test drive before the purchase becomes final, plus the extensive warranty and maintenance-free period.

Trade-in and selling your car again

If you already own a car in the Netherlands, Carvendo can help you:

  • Trade in your current car when buying a different one, you’ll get a valuation and can have your old car collected when the new one is delivered.

If you later decide to leave the Netherlands, you can again sell or trade in your car via a dealer or platform (including those that cooperate with Carvendo). That way you don’t have to arrange a private sale in your last busy weeks before moving.

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Find a car ->

11. Step-by-step checklist for buying a car as an expat

Here’s a short roadmap you can follow.

Step 1 – Define your needs & budget
  • How many kilometres per year?
  • Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric?
  • Commuting, family trips, or mainly city driving?
  • Total budget, including insurance, road tax and fuel.
Step 2 – Check your licence status
  • Are you within the 185-day period with your foreign licence?
  • Can you exchange it for a Dutch licence?
  • Do you qualify for the 30% ruling, and can it help cover licence costs?
Step 3 – Gather documents
  • Dutch licence or foreign licence + passport + BRP extract
  • For financing: payslip, residence permit, bank statement, ID.
Step 4 – Choose where to buy
  • Private seller (more responsibility on you),
  • Traditional dealer, or
  • Online platform like Carvendo that:
    • Checks the car for you
    • Helps with advice, financing and insurance
    • Organises RDW registration and delivery.
Step 5 – Arrange test drive & finalise purchase
  • Order the car under condition of test drive.
  • If the car drives and feels right, confirm the purchase and let the dealer or Carvendo handle the paperwork.
Step 6 – Insurance & road tax
  • Take out car insurance starting on the delivery date. Carvendo will guide you.
  • Wait for the automatic road-tax letters from the Tax Office and pick your payment method.
Step 7 – Drive, maintain and enjoy
  • Keep an eye on the APK expiry date and schedule maintenance after the first 12,000 km.
  • Use your car for weekend trips, IKEA runs and escaping the rain, you’ve earned it.

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12. Quick FAQ for expats

Can I buy a car without a Dutch licence?

Yes. With a valid foreign licence plus your passport and a recent BRP extract you can buy and register a car. Within 185 days of registration in the Netherlands you must exchange or replace your foreign licence.

What documents do I need for financing?

Usually: a recent payslip, passport or ID, residence permit, recent bank statement and a valid licence. Finance partners working with Carvendo handle everything digitally and can often give you an answer within about 10 minutes.

What are the main costs of owning a car here?

Mandatory insurance and road tax every month or quarter, plus fuel/charging, parking, maintenance and depreciation. Think at least €75–€100 per month for fixed costs, more depending on how much you drive.

Is buying a used car online safe?

If you use a reputable, RDW-accredited platform with clear warranty and conditions, such as Carvendo, with 12 months BOVAG warranty and 12,000 km maintenance-free – buying online can be just as safe, and often more convenient, than visiting multiple showrooms.

Final thought

Buying a car as an expat in the Netherlands doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you understand the licence rules, know which documents you need, and choose a trustworthy partner that supports expats, like Carvendo, having your own car here becomes straightforward, transparent and a lot more relaxed.

Buy a car ->

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