Tax clearance (quitus fiscal) 2026: register an EU-bought vehicle without a VAT block
Have you bought a new or used car in another European Union country (Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands…) and want to register it in France? Without a quitus fiscal (tax clearance certificate), the carte grise file stays blocked: this document proves that VAT has been properly handled somewhere in Europe. This 2026 guide explains what the quitus is for, when you need it, which documents to prepare, the cost, common pitfalls, and how to obtain it online through an accredited professional.
Need the quitus now? Start your tax clearance (quitus) request — €60 incl. VAT service fee, guided Cerfa forms, online document upload.
What is a quitus fiscal?
The quitus fiscal is a certificate issued by the French tax office covering the buyer. It confirms that VAT related to the vehicle has been paid or correctly declared within the European Union. It is mandatory to register in France a vehicle bought in another EU member state.
In practice, the quitus comes just before (or alongside) building the foreign vehicle registration file: without it, neither ANTS nor an accredited professional can finalise the French registration certificate.
Do not confuse
- Quitus fiscal — VAT clearance for a purchase inside the EU.
- 846A certificate — customs formality for a vehicle outside the EU (including the UK after Brexit).
- Certificate of conformity (COC) — manufacturer type approval, often complementary to the quitus.
- Temporary WW plates — temporary plates to drive while the file is being assembled.
When is the quitus fiscal mandatory?
| Situation | Quitus? | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| EU purchase (used or new) for French registration | Yes | Quitus → foreign vehicle file |
| Non-EU / UK purchase (Brexit) | No (846A) | Customs clearance + registration |
| Vehicle already French-registered, simple resale | No | Change of ownership |
| House move, same holder | No | Change of address |
| Long file (COC, CT, translations) | Yes if EU | Quitus + WW to drive |
| Classic / 30+ year EU import | Yes if EU | Quitus + FFVE / classic status |
Simple rule: EU purchase + first French registration = quitus fiscal required. Outside the EU, use the 846A instead (see also our historical article Brexit and vehicle imports).
Documents needed for the quitus
At Office Carte Grise, a typical quitus file includes:
- a valid ID document (national ID card, passport or residence permit);
- proof of address less than 6 months old (the address that will appear on the carte grise);
- a signed mandate Cerfa 13757;
- a certificate of sale Cerfa 15776 (or invoice / sales agreement as applicable);
- the complete foreign registration certificate (all parts if the country issues several);
- a PRA if the vehicle comes from Italy;
- a photo of the manufacturer’s plate (readable VIN).
On our tax clearance flow, you pay then upload scans online. You can also use the document generator or Cerfa forms to print to avoid crossings-out.
How much does a quitus fiscal cost in 2026?
The quitus service fee at Office Carte Grise is €60 incl. VAT (as shown on the service page). This is not the price of the final carte grise: the quitus unlocks the tax step; regional taxes (fiscal horsepower Y1) are calculated later on the registration file.
Estimate the rest with the carte grise calculator, the tax simulator and the 2026 fiscal horsepower rates.
5 steps to obtain your quitus
- Confirm the purchase is inside the EU (otherwise use 846A).
- Prepare ID, address proof, complete foreign title, Cerfa 13757 / 15776, VIN photo.
- Order on the tax clearance page.
- Upload your documents; we check the file and handle obtaining the certificate from the tax office.
- Continue with foreign vehicle registration (often with a COC and, if needed, temporary WW plates).
CTA
Save time: request your quitus fiscal online with Office Carte Grise, accredited by the French Ministry of the Interior. Then finalise the title through foreign-vehicle registration.
Quitus then carte grise: the usual sequence
For a smooth EU import, the recommended order is:
- Quitus fiscal — VAT proof.
- COC (or equivalent / FFVE for classics).
- Roadworthiness test (contrôle technique) less than 6 months old if the vehicle is over 4 years (possibly via an FIV if no French title exists yet).
- Foreign vehicle registration — definitive French carte grise.
If the file takes several weeks, add temporary WW plates to drive legally (see the 2026 WW guide).
Quitus vs other common procedures
| Need | Procedure |
|---|---|
| VAT clearance for an EU import | Quitus fiscal |
| Manufacturer type approval | COC |
| Drive while the file is pending | Temporary WW plates |
| Definitive French title (import) | Foreign vehicle |
| Roadworthiness blocked without a French title | FIV |
| Put a French vehicle in your name | Change of ownership |
| Sell / declare the sale | Transfer declaration |
| Classic / 30+ year status | Classic registration + FFVE |
Common pitfalls
- Confusing EU and non-EU — a UK vehicle usually needs the 846A, not the quitus.
- Incomplete foreign title — Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands… provide every part.
- Forgetting the COC — the quitus does not replace conformity; order the COC in parallel.
- Address proof too old — less than 6 months, or it may be rejected.
- Unreadable scans (VIN, manufacturer plate) — blurry photos mean round trips.
- Waiting too long to drive — activate WW plates rather than driving without a French title.
FAQ — quitus fiscal
Does the quitus replace the carte grise?
No. It is a tax certificate. The definitive title comes through foreign vehicle registration.
How long does it take to get the quitus?
Once the file is complete and readable, timing mainly depends on the tax office and document quality. Starting the quitus as soon as you buy in the EU avoids blocking the rest of the file.
Can I request the quitus myself from the tax office?
Yes. An accredited provider like Office Carte Grise simplifies Cerfa forms, document checks and the follow-on COC, WW and registration steps.
New vs used EU vehicle: same quitus?
Yes — the quitus remains the VAT document for French registration of an EU purchase. How VAT is settled (paid in France or already settled abroad) differs for new vs used cars, but the certificate is still required.
Quitus and classic vehicles?
If an EU import aims for classic status, get the quitus then continue with FFVE / classic registration.
What if I buy outside the EU?
The quitus does not apply: use the 846A customs certificate, then the foreign vehicle file.
Take action
EU import blocked without a quitus? Do not lose weeks: request your tax clearance, then finalise with the COC and foreign vehicle registration. Need to drive immediately? Add temporary WW plates.
Office Carte Grise also covers change of ownership, change of address, duplicates, transfers, FIV and classic registration.