The short answer
The contract must contain both parties’ names and personal numbers, the car with its chassis number and plates, the mileage on handover day, the price and payment method, known defects and the papers handed over. For the change of owner it is certified by a notary or a court. The buyer then registers the car within 30 days. Before signing, check for pledges and unpaid fines.
The essentials
- The contract is certified by a notary or court, otherwise the owner does not change.
- The contract states the chassis number and the mileage on handover day.
- The buyer registers the car in their own name within 30 days.
What the contract must say
| Part | What goes in |
|---|---|
| Parties | Name, address, personal number and ID number of both |
| Vehicle | Make, model, year, colour, plates, chassis number (VIN) and registration certificate number |
| Mileage | The reading on handover day, with the seller’s statement that it is genuine to their knowledge |
| Price | Amount, payment method and any deposit |
| Condition | Known defects named one by one, and whether it is sold as seen |
| Declarations | Free of pledges, leasing and third-party rights; customs status |
| Handover | Date, place, keys and the papers handed over |
| Registration | The buyer registers the car within 30 days |
Before signing: three checks
- Papers: the name on the registration certificate matches the seller’s ID, and the chassis number in the papers matches the one on the car.
- Pledges: check the ARBK pledge register and ask about loans or leasing.
- Fines: unpaid traffic fines block the change of owner, so the seller must pay them before the notary.
At the notary and after
- Go to the notary together with your IDs, the registration certificate and the contract. The notary certifies the contract.
- Payment: by bank, and the seller hands over the car once the money is in the account. A transfer confirmation does not mean the money has arrived.
- Handover: keys, registration certificate, service book and customs papers.
- The buyer registers the car within 30 days at the registration centre. The seller’s registration is cancelled; within the same region the buyer may keep the plates.
What the notary costs
Notary fees are fixed by administrative instruction and depend on the car’s value. If the notary drafts the contract, you pay the full fee; if you bring a written contract and the notary certifies it, you pay 70 %. Ask the notary beforehand which of the two it will be.
| Car value | Notary drafts | Notary certifies |
|---|---|---|
| up to €2,500 | €15 | €10.50 |
| €2,501 to €5,000 | €20 | €14 |
| €5,001 to €10,000 | €30 | €21 |
| €10,001 to €20,000 | €40 | €28 |
| €20,001 to €40,000 | €50 | €35 |
| €40,001 to €60,000 | €60 | €42 |
The contract at a dealer
Even when you buy from a dealer, the contract is certified by a notary or court. Dealers on MerrVetura can prepare the contract with the car’s details straight from their dashboard. Read it before you sign, especially the warranty part. The differences between dealer and private sale are in dealer or private seller.
This article is a practical guide, not legal advice. For special cases such as inheritance, leasing or a car registered to a company, ask the notary or a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Does the sales contract have to go to a notary?
Yes, for the change of owner. Under the Interior Ministry’s Administrative Instruction No. 04/2023 on vehicle registration (Art. 9), the sales contract must be certified by a notary or a court. The parties’ signatures alone are not enough at the registration centre.
How much does the notary charge for a car contract?
The fee is set by Administrative Instruction MD No. 05/2022 according to the car’s value. If the notary drafts the contract, a car worth €5,001 to €10,000 costs €30, €10,001 to €20,000 costs €40. If you bring the contract and the notary certifies it, you pay 70 % of that. VAT is added on top. The full table is below.
How long do I have to register the car in my name?
Thirty days from the purchase, under Law No. 05/L-132 on vehicles (Art. 63); late registration risks a fine of €50 to €150. The seller’s registration is cancelled and the buyer pays the annual fees from scratch. The steps are in registering a car.
How do I know whether the car has a pledge or loan on it?
Check the ARBK electronic pledge register at arbk-rp.rks-gov.net: anyone may search it. If the car was bought on credit or leasing, ask for written confirmation from the bank or company that it is paid off, and state in the contract that the car is free of pledges.
Can I sell the car with unpaid fines?
Not without paying them. Under the Law on Vehicles (Art. 43), there is no registration and no change of owner until traffic fines are paid. As a buyer, ask the seller to pay them before you go to the notary.
Sources
Checked against the sources below. Rules can change: in individual cases the responsible authority decides.