REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES OF PERSONS ENJOYING PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES AS OF 1 JULY 2025

 

Introduction

Anyone who operates a road motor vehicle or a trailer in the Czech Republic for more than 185 days in the given calendar year is obliged to register the vehicle. [1]

Owners of vehicles registered in the diplomatic vehicle register, which have been allocated registration plates by the Ministry of Transport before 1 January 2025, must  return the registration plates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by 31 December 2026. The Diplomatic Protocol emphasises that, starting from 1 January 2027, it will not be allowed to drive vehicles registered in the register of diplomatic vehicles with a registration plate assigned before 1 January 2025. In case a vehicle with such a registration plate is operated after 1 January 2027, Czech Republic Police officers will have the right to remove the plate, unless the driver returns it voluntarily.

 

1. REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES OF PERSONS ENJOYING PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES – GENERAL INFORMATION

 

To be recognized as a motor vehicle of a person enjoying privileges and immunities, the vehicle must display the registration mark prescribed by the laws and regulations concerning motor vehicle (special registration plate).[2]

 

1.1. CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION MARKS:

Motor vehicles of persons enjoying privileges and immunities are assigned the following registration marks indicating the category to which the owner belongs:

1. Diplomatic missions, consular posts, members of the diplomatic staff, consular officers, offices of international organisations - the sixth and seven characters in the line are the capital letters “CD”,   
2. Members of the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission or a consular post  - the   sixth and seven characters in the line are the capital letters “XX”,
3. Members of the service staff of a diplomatic mission or consular post, and the staff of offices of international organisations - the  sixth and seven  characters in the line are the capital letters “XS”,
4. Persons performing the functions of a honorary consul l in terms of the applicable international treaties – the sixth and seven characters in the line are the letters “HC”.

 

Vehicles being deregistered and exported may display a temporary registration plate. 

 

1.2. BASIC CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION

Motor vehicles being purchased through a hire-purchase agreement will not be registered because the owner of the vehicle is the hire-purchase company. Hire-purchase companies are not entitled to use the registration marks designed for persons enjoying privileges and immunities, and vehicles not owned by diplomatic agents and missions cannot be accorded diplomatic immunity.

The Diplomatic Protocol of the MFA will not endorse applications for registration of motor vehicles other than passenger cars. Consequently, single-track vehicles (motorcycles, mopeds and their parts and accessories) vehicles intended for recreational use (camper vans, adapted motor vehicles, their parts and accessories), as well as trucks, buses or coaches will not be registered.  This list is not exhaustive; therefore, it is recommended to consult the MFA (Diplomatic Protocol) before submitting an application for registration or purchasing a vehicle that is not a standard type of motorized two-track vehicle.

The number of motor vehicles registered in the name of the mission must be in proportion to the number of registered members of the mission’s diplomatic staff. In case the mission has no more than two diplomatic staff members, it is possible to register one extra motor vehicle in order to facilitate the performance of the functions of the mission.  

The number of registered private motor vehicles is subject to the following rules:

• ambassador, nuncio or a head of mission of equivalent rank:

2 passenger cars, plus 1 passenger car if accompanied by a spouse or partner registered with the Ministry's Diplomatic Protocol,

• diplomatic staff, consular officers:

1 passenger car, plus 1 passenger car if accompanied by a spouse or partner registered with the Ministry's Diplomatic Protocol,

• administrative and technical staff, consular employees:

1 passenger car.

Registration of motor vehicles for family members is not permitted.  

In case a departing staff member does not deregister his/her motor vehicle and return the number plate before his/her final departure from the Czech Republic, the registration of vehicles owned by the diplomatic mission, consular post or international governmental organization and by its remaining staff members will be suspended until the vehicle in question is deregistered and the number plate returned. It is important to note that vehicles being deregistered and exported may display a temporary registration plate – see the section on “Terminating the registration of vehicles owned by persons enjoying privileges and immunities”.  

Requests for the registration of motor vehicles owned by persons enjoying privileges and immunities are considered in the light of the owner’s traffic offence record.  

 

1.3. INALIENABILITY PERIOD

The “inalienability period” rule applies to motor vehicles purchased on a VAT-free or VAT-refund basis in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State and motor vehicles imported on a duty-free and VAT-free basis from a third country. An owner who wants to lease, lend, pledge or transfer such vehicle or take it out of service before the end of the inalienability period must pay up the VAT (if the vehicle was purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State) or the VAT and import duty (if the vehicle was imported from a third country). The length of the inalienability period is determined on the basis of reciprocity.

The inalienability period will be entered in the registration certificate (“Osvědčení o registraci vozidla. Část II. /Technický průkaz/”) upon registration.

In case the motor vehicle was imported on a duty-free basis, the amount of the VAT and import duty to be paid by the owner will be calculated on the basis of the current value of the motor vehicle.  

In case the motor vehicle was purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State, the amount of the VAT to be paid by the owner will be calculated pro rata according to the time remaining until the end of the inalienability period. In case the person to whom the vehicle is transferred enjoys privileges and immunities, no VAT back payment will be charged.   

Inalienability for passenger cars – obligation to return the VAT to the tax office:

If a passenger car purchased in the Czech Republic on a VAT-refund basis or a passenger car purchased in another EU Member State on a VAT-exempt basis is sold, rented, lent, pledged, destroyed, or taken off the road upon the expiry of 24 months from the date of allocation of the diplomatic registration plate, all or part of the VAT refunded must be repaid.

Members of the diplomatic staff or administrative and technical staff can export a passenger car from the Czech Republic without having to pay the VAT at of their posting to the Czech Republic ends, but no earlier than 6 months (180 days) after the date of the allocation of a diplomatic registration plate, provided that  they remain the car's owners at the time of the export.

 

2. APPLYING FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION WITH THE DIPLOMATIC PROTOCOL OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

 

Persons enjoying privileges and immunities in the Czech Republic register their motor vehicle with the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will enter the vehicle in its Road Transport Vehicles Register, will issue the two-part registration certificate (“Osvědčení o registraci vozidla. Část I.” and “Osvědčení o registraci vozidla. Část II. /Technický průkaz/”) and the registration plates.

The diplomatic missions whose sending State is a contracting party to the European Convention No. 63, on the Abolition of Legalisation of Documents Executed by Diplomatic Agents or Consular Officers, do not have to present a legalised letter of authority from the vehicle's owner, if the owner cannot submit the application in person. It is sufficient to present a letter of authority certified by the mission’s diplomatic agent or consular officer.

The above applies to the mission of the following countries: Federal Republic of Germany, French Republic, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Hellenic Republic, Kingdom of Belgium, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kingdom of Norway, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of Sweden, Portuguese Republic, Principality of Liechtenstein, Republic of Austria, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Estonia, Ireland, Italian Republic, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Malta, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Poland, Republic of Türkiye, Romania, Russian Federation, Swiss Confederation, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

(Note: The above list is subject to change depending on the ratification status of the European

Convention.)

 

2. 1.  MOTOR VEHICLES THAT WERE OPERATED BY ITS PRESENT OWNER IN ANOTHER EU MEMBER STATE FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS BEFORE REGISTRATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

 

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents: 

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních”,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• national registration certificate issued by another Member State confirming that the vehicle is roadworthy and was duly registered in another Member State,
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (where
• appropriate),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”)
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness test (“doklad o technické prohlídce” issued by vehicle testing stations - “STK - stanice technické kontroly” and “SME –stanice měření emisí”),
• green card (compulsory liability),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person,
• request for exclusion from roadworthiness testing (according to Section 35a, paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act19, the Ministry of Transport may grant exemptions from the technical requirements listed in paragraph 1 (a)-(d) if
• the owner will export the vehicle upon his/her final departure from the Czech Republic, or if another member of the mission will apply for re-registration of the vehicle

 

2.2. MOTOR VEHICLES PURCHASED BY A MISSION OR BY A STAFF MEMBER IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC OR IN ANOTHER EU MEMBER STATE

This category includes:

1. new motor vehicles – the term “new motor vehicle” refers to a motor vehicle

purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State in cases where the supply takes place within 6 months of the date of first entry into service or where the vehicle has travelled for no more than 6,000 kilometres,

1. second-hand motor vehicles – the term “second-hand motor vehicle” refers to a vehicle purchased in the Czech Republic or in another EU Member State in cases where the supply takes place more than 6 months of the date of first entry into service or where the vehicle has travelled for more than 6,000 kilometres.

 

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

NEW MOTOR VEHICLES

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel” endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• verbal note,
• photocopy of the invoice and purchase agreement
• national registration certificate issued by another Member State confirming that the vehicle is roadworthy and was duly registered in another Member State,
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (where
• appropriate),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”),
• document confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness test in case its roadworthiness test was not accepted,
• green card (compulsory liability),
• original of an endorsed VAT exemption certificate (for new motor vehicles purchased in an EU Member State)[3] issued by the Tax Office for the Capital of Prague
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person.

 

SECOND-HAND MOTOR VEHICLES

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel”,
• verbal note,
• photocopy of the invoice and purchase agreement
• national registration certificate issued by another Member State confirming that the vehicle is roadworthy and was duly registered in another Member State,
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (where
• appropriate),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”),
• document confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness (“doklad o technické prohlídce”)
• green card (compulsory liability),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person
• original of an endorsed VAT exemption certificate “Potvrzení o osvobození od daně z přidané hodnoty” (for new motor vehicles purchased in an EU Member State)[4]

 

2.3. MOTOR VEHICLES PURCHASED BY A MISSION OR BY A STAFF MEMBER IN A THIRD COUNTRY

            This category includes motor vehicles purchased and/or operated in a non-EU country by a person enjoying privileges and immunities and then brought by the same person to the Czech Republic.  

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis silničního vozidla do registru silničních vozidel”,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• customs declaration[5] endorsed by the Customs Administration
• photocopy of the invoice (for a newly purchased vehicle) or of the national registration certificate (for a vehicle that was already in service in a third country)  
• national document equivalent to Part II of the Czech registration certificate (if issued), with a Czech translation,  
• national registration certificate from a non-EU country (if issued), with a Czech translation
• document confirming that the vehicle has passed the Czech roadworthiness test upon import (“doklad o dovozové technické prohlídce”),
• request for exclusion from roadworthiness testing (according to Section 35a, paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act 20; the Ministry of Transport may grant exemptions from the technical requirements listed in paragraph 1 (a)-(d) if   
• the owner will export the vehicle upon his/her final departure from the Czech Republic, or
• if another member of the mission will apply for re-registration of the vehicle),
• green card (compulsory liability),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person

 

2.4. REPLACING A LOST, DAMAGED AND STOLEN REGISTRATION PLATE

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed notification form “Oznámení o ztrátě, zničení nebo odcizení tabulky s registrační značkou”,
• verbal note,
• ID carta,
• Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• Czech registration certificate (Part I),
• Registration plates,
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person

 

(Note: Damaged registration plates must be returned to the Ministry of Transport)

 

3. TERMINATING THE REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES OWNED BY PERSONS ENJOYING PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

3.1. TRANSFERRING A VEHICLE TO ANOTHER OWNER

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form “Žádost o zápis změny vlastníka nebo provozovatele silničního vozidla”,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• green card (compulsory liability),
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part I),
• record confirming that the vehicle has passed the vehicle identity check for the purpose of transfer to a new owner (“protokol o evidenční kontrole”), 
• document confirming the legal basis for the change of title (certificate of probate, document confirming that the vehicle was purchased at auction, etc.),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person,
• letter from a tax office or customs office certifying that the owner has paid up the VAT and import duty (in case the vehicle is to be transferred before the end of the inalienability period),
• tabulky s registrační značkou.

 

3.2. EXPORTING A MOTOR VEHICLE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC; REGISTRATION PLATES AND INSURANCE

Vehicles being exported should display a temporary registration plate. Temporary registration plates and documents issued for this purpose need not be returned to the Czech authorities upon expiry. They are valid for three months starting from the first day of the month following the month in which they were issued. The validity period is shown on the registration plate. The change of the registration mark is entered in the Czech registration certificate. Part II of the Czech registration certificate showing the history of the vehicle will remain with the owner.

The insurance of motor vehicles being exported from the Czech Republic is the owner’s responsibility.

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents: (in case the motor vehicle is being exported from the Czech Republic before the end of the inalienability period – a deadline after which the vehicle can be sold, lent, leased or pledged – the verbal note must state the date on which the owner’s posting to the Czech Republic will come to an end):

• completed application form “Žádost o přidělení registrační značky na vývoz”,
• verbal note,
• ID card,
• old registration plates,
• Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• Czech registration certificate (Part I),
• letter of authority with an authenticated signature of the owner – in case the owner cannot visit the Ministry of Transport in person,
• in case the motor vehicle is being exported from the Czech Republic before the end of the inalienability period – a deadline after which the vehicle can be sold – the verbal note must state the date on which the owner’s posting to the Czech Republic will come to an end.

 

 

3.3. SCRAPPING AN END-OF-LIFE VEHICLE  

 

The verbal note must be accompanied by the following documents:

• completed application form: “Žádost o vyřazení vozidla nebo zápis zániku vozidla”,
• verbal note,
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part II),
• original of the Czech registration certificate (Part I),
• document proving that the vehicle was brought to an authorized treatment facility (“doklad o ekologické likvidaci vozidla”) this document may be issued in another EU Member State
• a certificate of destruction (“doklad potvrzující zničení silničního vozidla”),
• all registration plates,
• letter from a tax office or customs office certifying that the owner has paid up the VAT and

import duty (in case the vehicle is to be scrapped before the end of the inalienability period).  

 

 

4. MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES

            Persons enjoying privileges and immunities are granted exemptions from the registration fees on a reciprocal basis.[7]

            In the absence of a reciprocal exemption, the following administrative fees are charged for the registration of motor vehicles and issuance of registration plates:

1. Entering a vehicle in the Road Transport Vehicles Register, changing the owner or operator of a road transport vehicle:

• motor vehicles with at least four wheels: CZK 800,

 

2. Replacing a lost, damaged or stolen registration plate; changing the registration plate: CZK 600 for one registration plate + CZK 50 for registering a change of the alphanumeric identifier

3. Entering a change in the registration certificate and in the Road Transport Vehicles Register: CZK 50 per one change,

4. Replacing a damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen registration certificate; replacing a damaged, lost or stolen roadworthiness certificate: CZK 200 (unless the applicant needs the new document because his/her posting to the Czech Republic has been prolonged – upon the issuance of a new ID card) ,

When the vehicle is being sold to a person non-enjoying privileges and immunities, the seller must pay the recycling charge as required by the Waste Management Act. This does not apply to M1 and N1 category vehicles that meet at least the Euro 3 emission limits. The amount of the charge will be determined by the Ministry of Transport.

The fees are paid by bank transfer to the account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Payment instructions (bank account and variable code) will be provided once the registration application form is submitted.  

No fees are charged for the issuance of temporary registration plates for vehicles being deregistered and permanently exported, and for the issuance of special one-off (paper) registration plates with a limited validity period.

 

 

5. CONTACTS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Loretánské náměstí 5, Praha 1

Diplomatic Protocol

Email: DP@mzv.gov.cz

Tel:  224 182 674, 224 182 281

    

 

 

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[1] Act No. 56/2001, on the conditions of operation of vehicles on roads, as amended

[2] Decree No. 343/2014 Coll. on vehicle registration, as amended

[3]  Section 19, paragraph 6 of Act No. 235/2004 on Value Added Tax, as amended

[4] Section 19, paragraph 6 of Act No. 235/2004 on value added tax, as amended

[5] The form can be downloaded on www.mzv.cz/protokol-formuláře

[6] The form can be downloaded on www.mzv.cz/protokol-formuláře

[7] § 8, zákona č. 634/2004 Sb., zákona o správních poplatcích, ve znění pozdějších předpisů

Annexes

To download on the website www.mzv.cz/protocol - Formuláře / Forms