Comparison

A car from Germany or in Poland? What really pays off

„It’s cheaper in Germany” is true — but only half the truth. Prices can be 20–40% lower, yet once you add excise, transport and paperwork, the gap can melt to zero. Below are the real costs, a concrete worked example, and the traps that make people lose money on a „bargain from abroad”.

In short: Cars in Germany are usually 20–40% cheaper (3+ years old). But you add 3.1% excise (up to 2000 cm³) or 18.6% (above), transport ~1500–2500 zł, translations, a 149 zł inspection and 161.50 zł registration. From a private seller or under VAT‑margin you pay no VAT in Poland. The real saving is often smaller than it looks.

Why Germany is cheaper

The German market is bigger and more competitive, and cars more often have a documented service history (Scheckheft) and richer equipment. Prices on mobile.de or AutoScout24 are usually 20–40% lower than in Poland for cars older than 3 years. That’s a real edge — but what counts is the price „at your door”, not the listing price.

What you add to the listing price

Excise: 3.1% of value for engines up to 2000 cm³ or 18.6% above 2000 cm³. Usually the biggest extra cost (AKC‑U/S declaration via PUESC).
VAT: from a private seller or under VAT‑margin — you pay no VAT in Poland. Buying from a company under intra‑EU rules (net invoice) you add 23% VAT.
Transport: a tow truck is ~1500–2500 zł; driving it back is cheaper but needs export plates and border insurance.
Paperwork: document translation 120–300 zł, technical inspection 149 zł, registration 161.50 zł, new OC insurance (usually 800–1500 zł/year).

Worked example: VW Passat 2.0 TDI

A car from Germany at 12,000 EUR (rate 4.25) = 51,000 zł. Add:

excise 3.1% (1968 cm³ engine) = 1,581 zł,
tow-truck transport ≈ 1,800 zł, translations ≈ 200 zł,
inspection 149 zł + registration 161.50 zł.

Total ≈ 54,900 zł (excluding insurance and any repairs). If the same Passat costs 58–62k zł in Poland, you win. If it’s 55k — it doesn’t pay off at all, given the risk and time.

Trap 1: an engine above 2000 cm³

The same Passat but with an engine above 2000 cm³ (e.g. a 3.0 TDI) falls into the 18.6% band. At the same 51,000 zł value, excise jumps from 1,581 zł to 9,486 zł — nearly 8 thousand more. For premium cars and SUVs, this single number decides whether it pays off. Check the engine size in the papers before you fall in love with a listing.

Trap 2: understating the value in the contract

The tempting „let’s write less to pay less excise” is a straight road to trouble. The tax office can challenge an understated value and charge excise on the market value (e.g. per Eurotax) — with interest. The base is market value, not the contract amount.

Trap 3: a „bargain” that’s been crashed

A large share of cheap German offers are accident cars or have clocked mileage — just better hidden than in Poland. Before buying, check the history (Scheckheft, a VIN check) and the real market value. Saving 5k zł makes no sense if the car hides 15k of damage.

Before you buy — check the real value and the model’s typical defects: Get the VARTOCAR report for 49 zł →

When importing pays off — and when it doesn’t

It pays: an engine up to 2000 cm³, bought from a private seller/VAT‑margin, with documented history, when the price gap exceeds ~8–10k zł.
It doesn’t: a big engine (18.6% excise), an accident car, a small price gap, no time for the paperwork (2–4 weeks) and the trip.

How to calculate it for your case

Don’t guess — calculate. Enter the price and engine size in the car import calculator, then compare the result with the real Polish price of such a car. That second number comes from the VARTOCAR report (49 zł) — a value range and the model’s typical faults. Only the difference between those two numbers tells you whether to drive to Germany. See also how not to get scammed when buying.

This material is informational and is not tax or legal advice. Confirm rates and costs before buying.

Need to finance the purchase? Compare loans and accounts: Finumero →

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much cheaper is a car from Germany really? Prices can be 20–40% lower for cars older than 3 years, but after excise, transport and paperwork the real saving is smaller. What counts is the price at your door, not the listing.

Do I pay VAT in Poland for a car from Germany? Buying from a private seller or under VAT‑margin — no. Buying from a company under intra‑EU rules (net invoice), you add 23% VAT in Poland.

How much is the excise on a car from Germany? 3.1% of value for engines up to 2000 cm³ and 18.6% above 2000 cm³. Crossing 2000 cm³ can raise the cost by several to a dozen thousand zloty.

Can I write a lower price in the contract to pay less excise? Not worth it. The tax office can challenge the understated value and charge excise on the market value plus interest. The base is the car’s market value.