WHO CAN DRIVE AND FOR HOW LONG
Citizens of the European Union can drive without restrictions until their licence expires; however, if they establish residence in Italy, they must convert or renew it in Italy after two years of residence if the licence has unlimited validity or an expiry date that does not conform to Italian regulations (for example, longer than ten years for category B licences up to fifty years of age, or longer than five years between the ages of fifty and seventy).
If the licence has a regular expiry date under EU regulations, it can be used until its natural expiry without an immediate obligation to convert.
Non-EU citizens can drive for up to one year from the date of residence registration, but they must also hold an international driving permit (Geneva 1949 or Vienna 1968 model) or, if accepted, an official translation of their licence.
After one year, they must either convert their licence (if their country has a reciprocity agreement) or obtain an Italian licence.
BRING YOUR OWN VEHICLE TO SICILY
The process of nationalising a car imported from abroad in Sicily involves registering the vehicle in Italy, obtaining Italian plates, and acquiring valid documentation for circulation.
The procedure varies depending on the owner’s residency status and the vehicle’s country of origin.
- RESIDENCY STATUS
If you become a resident in Italy, you are required to register your car within 60 days of registering with the registry office of the council.
If you are not a resident, you can drive a car with foreign plates only for a limited period (usually 12 months).
- VEHICLE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Vehicles imported from the EU
Nationalisation is conducted through the Civil Motorisation Office and PRA (Public Automobile Register). ACI manages PRA administration and provides support services.
Necessary documents: identity document, tax code, sales certificate or purchase deed, foreign car registration booklet, and any European Certificate of Conformity.
Italian VAT (22%) applies only to new vehicles (those with less than 6,000 km or registered for less than 6 months); for used vehicles, the VAT already paid abroad is generally sufficient.
The cost varies by car’s engine power, ranging from approximately 600 to 1000 euros.
Vehicles imported from non-EU countries (including the United Kingdom)
It is necessary to clear the car through customs when entering the EU and pay any applicable customs duties (approximately 10% of the car value) and import VAT (22%).
Afterwards, procedures are carried out with the Civil Motorisation Office and the PRA. The car must meet European technical standards (such as Euro 6 standards) to be homologated and registered.
The motorisation does not recommend importing vehicles from non-EU countries as the bureaucracy is heavy and the costs involved are high.
