Normally like to contribute before asking for help. It was not possible in this case, so I thought signing up for the Mentor group was best.
I'm looking to buy and use a car throughout Europe. I have been a permanent traveller for over 14 years. I'm now ready to spend more time wandering through Europe, rather than just staying in one place for 1-3 months and not seeing the surrounding areas. Long term plan is to find a base, although that's a separate bunch of issues for a permanent traveller.
I know a few threads that cover some parts of a non-European person buying and using a car in Europe. None cover my situation. The threads I have read (plus the various external links):
I'm looking to buy and use a car throughout Europe. I have been a permanent traveller for over 14 years. I'm now ready to spend more time wandering through Europe, rather than just staying in one place for 1-3 months and not seeing the surrounding areas. Long term plan is to find a base, although that's a separate bunch of issues for a permanent traveller.
I know a few threads that cover some parts of a non-European person buying and using a car in Europe. None cover my situation. The threads I have read (plus the various external links):
- Purchasing and registering cars in Germany
- Registering a supercar somewhere in Europe
- How to buy a car as a non-resident in the EU
- Buying a car in Europe with a offshore bank account
- Buying a 100k EUR car in Europe
- Wish to buy an older classic type car at maybe 10-30 years old.
- I enjoy cars and driving, and it's about the journey and the destination.
- Do not have a European residency or citizenship.
- Enter the Schengen zone on the 90/180 visa exemption and fine to go in and out as required.
- Usually, stay no more than three months in any location.
- Some time will be spent outside Europe without the car.
- I don't like overly complicated setups if there is a simple option as well.
- Owning/registering the car without a local address.
- Insuring the car for long term travel throughout Europe.
- Storing the car when I'm elsewhere and avoiding having to import it to a country unless I return it to the country where it is owned.
- If I have to return for the annual MOT/safety check, I'd prefer a country not on the edge of Europe, although more of a want than a need.
- Andorra MT/Tourist registration - doesn't work because the car is older than 5 years.
- Short term leasing - don't think this works because of the age and type of cars.
- Use a friend's address - don't have a friend I could use.
- Germany export plates - at 12 months, not long enough, although maybe a short term option. Downsides?
- Gibraltar - possible, although not sure about the age of the car. Link to more information?
- Bulgaria - have looked at the Bulgaria Plates website, and it seems to tick the boxes. Haven't seen many write about doing it through them.
- UK - not an option for buying and registering. However, I believe a non-UK car can be there for 6 months without having to import, so there is a possibility for the storage. Albeit a tad inconvenient.