Insurance for a Car Imported from the UK — How to Insure It Before Registration?

OC obligation from the day of import — legal basis and UFG risk

Third-party motor insurance in Poland is compulsory by law, and this obligation arises at the moment a vehicle is brought into Polish territory — regardless of registration status. UFG (Motor Insurers' Guarantee Fund) maintains the Central Vehicle Register and verifies continuity of cover. Below we explain the legal basis and what penalties apply for a breach.

Compulsory insurance act — what the regulation says

The OC obligation is regulated by the Act of 22 May 2003 on compulsory insurance, the Motor Insurers' Guarantee Fund and the Polish Bureau of Motor Insurers (Journal of Laws 2003 No. 124 item 1152 as amended). Under Article 23(1): the holder of a motor vehicle is obliged to conclude a compulsory OC insurance agreement no later than on the day they take possession of the vehicle. Importing a vehicle from abroad = taking possession of the vehicle.

Source: isap.sejm.gov.pl (Journal of Laws 2003 No. 124 item 1152). If you are importing a car from the UK, sign the OC agreement ideally the day before the planned date of entry into Poland or on the day of entry — before you drive on a Polish road.

UFG penalty — how much for no OC on import

UFG imposes a penalty for every day without valid OC. The amount depends on the length of the gap and the vehicle category. For a passenger car (category B): up to 3 days without cover — equivalent to 20% of the minimum wage; up to 14 days — 100%; more than 14 days — 200% of the minimum wage (approximately PLN 8,500 in 2026). Detailed rates and a calculator are available at UFG: ufg.pl and gov.pl/web/ufg.

UFG is authorised to verify continuity of cover by VIN or registration number. If you import a car from the UK and drive it in Poland without OC for even one day — you risk a penalty. Polish insurers are well used to this and issue OC policies promptly.

How to insure a UK car before registration — practical steps

The process of insuring a UK car differs from insuring a Polish vehicle in one key respect: you do not yet have a Polish registration number. This is not a problem — Polish insurance companies have been handling vehicle imports for years and can issue OC on the VIN. Below we describe three routes to insurance and the documents you need.

OC on VIN number — how it works

Most major insurance companies (PZU, Allianz, Generali, Warta, ERGO Hestia and others) issue an OC policy for a vehicle without a Polish registration number. To conclude the agreement you need: the vehicle's VIN number (17-character code on the plate or in the V5C), the V5C (Certificate of Registration, British registration document) — or a copy, vehicle details: make, model, year of manufacture, engine capacity, your PESEL number and address.

The policy is issued using the VIN as the vehicle identifier. After registering the car in Poland, the registration number is added to the policy by the insurer — without the need to conclude a new agreement. You simply notify the insurer within 14 days of registration.

Insurance for the drive through the UK and Europe

If you are collecting the car in person from the UK and driving it to Poland, you need insurance that is also valid in the UK and transit countries (France, Belgium, Germany or the Netherlands). This is a two-stage matter:

UK side: check whether the current British OC policy (if the car was insured in the UK) covers driving to the UK border. If you are buying from a private seller — the previous owner's policy typically does not transfer to the new buyer. Contact a UK insurer or take out short-term car insurance in the UK for the drive to the port.

Polish side: OC issued on the VIN covers the entire EU territory (Green Card). Make sure the policy covers the date of entry into Poland.

What if the car is transported on a transporter or by freight

If you are arranging car transporter delivery from the UK to Poland (the car is not driven on the road), OC is not required during transport — the vehicle is not moving on a public road. However, the moment the car comes off the transporter onto a Polish road — even just to pull into a car park — you need a valid OC policy.

Recommendation: sign the OC agreement the day before the planned vehicle delivery date. You can do this online with any Polish insurer, providing the VIN and V5C. The policy starts from the selected date — you do not need to wait for documents to arrive by post.

After insurance — registering a UK car at the vehicle licensing office

OC insurance is a necessary but not the only condition for registering a UK car. Below we describe what else you need and in what order. This article focuses on insurance — the detailed registration procedure (excise duty payment, technical inspection, homologation) is covered in separate articles linked below.

Documents for registering a UK car — minimum list

To submit a registration application at the vehicle licensing office you need: V5C (Certificate of Registration) or proof of deregistration from the UK register, purchase invoice, proof of excise duty payment (if applicable — cars over 3.5 years old are exempt from excise under Article 110 of the Excise Duty Act), a certificate of a satisfactory technical inspection result (or UNECE homologation), a valid OC policy, owner's identity document, and if applicable, a power of attorney if acting through an agent.

Order: 1) OC on VIN → 2) excise duty payment (if applicable) → 3) technical inspection/homologation → 4) application at vehicle licensing office. Never the other way around.

Temporary registration plates — when they are needed

If you need to drive the car in Poland before full registration (e.g. to take it for a technical inspection), you can apply for temporary registration plates at the vehicle licensing office. A valid OC policy is required for the application. Temporary plates are issued for 30 days with the possibility of extension. The fee is nominal — check current rates at your municipal office.

Without temporary plates or full registration you are not permitted to drive on public roads — even for a few minutes. UFG can impose a penalty both for lack of OC and for driving an unregistered vehicle.

What the current rules say

You must have OC insurance for a car imported from the UK from the day you bring it into Poland — not from the day of registration. You can insure the car on the VIN before registration by providing the V5C and vehicle details to any Polish insurer. If you are driving the car yourself through the UK and Europe, also check cover for the transit. Order of actions: OC on VIN → excise duty payment (if applicable) → technical inspection → registration. UFG can impose a penalty of up to 200% of the minimum wage for every day without a valid policy. This article reflects the legal position as at 2026-04-18. Contact a customs broker before taking action.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Do I need OC insurance before registering a car from the UK?

Yes. The OC obligation arises on the day you take possession of the vehicle on Polish territory — i.e. from the day you bring the car from the UK. Registration may come later, but OC must be valid from day one. You can insure the car on the VIN without a Polish registration number.

How do I insure a UK car without a Polish registration number?

Provide the insurer with the vehicle's VIN number, the V5C (British registration document) and vehicle details. Most Polish insurers (PZU, Allianz, Generali, Warta and others) issue OC on the VIN. After registration in Poland, notify the insurer of the plate number — within 14 days.

What is the penalty for no OC when importing a car from the UK?

UFG imposes a penalty for every day without valid OC. For a passenger car: up to 3 days — 20% of the minimum wage; up to 14 days — 100%; more than 14 days — 200% of the minimum wage (approximately PLN 8,500 in 2026). UFG verifies continuity of cover by VIN.

Does a UK OC policy cover me while driving through Europe to Poland?

It depends on the insurer and policy. Polish OC covers the entire EU area (Green Card). If you are buying a car in the UK and driving it to Poland, check whether the current UK policy covers the new owner — typically the previous owner's policy does not transfer automatically. You can take out short-term car insurance in the UK for the drive.

Does a car transported on a transporter need OC?

During transport on a transporter, the car is not moving on a public road, so OC is not required for the duration of transport. But the moment the car comes off the transporter onto a Polish road — even for a few metres — you need a valid OC policy. Sign the agreement the day before the planned delivery.

Official sources

• Compulsory OC insurance — UFG gov.pl — GOV.PL / UFG
• Driving abroad — UK car insurance requirements — GOV.UK
• Vehicle Registration Certificate V5C — GOV.UK
• National Revenue Administration — contact and information — KAS
• podatki.gov.pl — excise duty on vehicles — Ministry of Finance