Van-Life: Best Place to Buy an EU Vehicle

We love exploring Europe because it has so many different countries, each with its own unique culture. For a short vacation, it is simpler to rent a car or take trains to explore the continent. However, if you are a nomad or full-time traveler, you may prefer van-life. 

On a road trip, you can go at your own pace. With a vehicle, you may zoom through certain places and spend significant amounts of time in others. If you have a camper van or RV, you also have the option of sleeping roadside. It is a great way to travel! 

Most tourists can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen Zone. Renting a vehicle for that long is incredibly expensive, and comes with a variety of border-crossing and mileage restrictions. Owning your own car makes it easier to explore the EU, and you can take it onwards to other countries and continents. 

The question is: where should you buy the vehicle for your journey?

In the majority of European countries, it is difficult for tourists to purchase a vehicle — you must be a resident. However, in the nations discussed below it is possible for nonresidents to buy vehicles and pursue the van-life. 

Before we discuss the specific countries, here are a few tips:

• Green Card insurance is recommended if you are driving across borders.
  
• You may be asked for proof of vehicle inspection and emissions compliance.
  
• You can use a vehicle registration service or broker if you want someone to handle the paperwork for you (costs ~$100 – $300 depending on the country).
  
• Temporary insurance or international expat insurers (Clements, AXA International, etc.) might be a better option than a local insurance company.

The process for buying a car in Bulgaria is fairly straightforward:

 Step 1. Obtain a Bulgarian Address

• You do not need permanent residency, but you will need a Bulgarian address in order to purchase a vehicle. The address you use can be from a friend, a rental, or even a mail-forwarding service.
  
• Some agencies offer vehicle registration services that include a virtual address.

 Step 2. Buy a Vehicle to Start Your Van-Life

• We recommend using platforms such as mobile.bg or cars.bg.
  
• Be prepared to provide:
  
  • Passport
    
  • Bulgarian address
    
  • Valid EU or international driver’s license

 Step 3. Get Car Insurance

• You must purchase Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance before registering your vehicle.
  
• Insurance companies that accept non-residents include:
  
  • Bulstrad: https://www.bulstrad.bg
    
  • Armeec: https://www.armeec.bg
    
  • DZI: https://www.dzi.bg
    
• Be sure to ask for a “Green Card” insurance add-on if you plan to drive outside Bulgaria.

Step 4. Register the Car

• You must visit a local KAT office (Traffic Police)
  
• Documents required:
  
  • Bill of sale
    
  • Passport
    
  • Proof of Address
    
  • Certificate of conformity (from the seller)
    
  • Car insurance

The vehicle-buying process in Estonia is slightly more complicated, but it is still an attractive option.

Step 1. Obtain an Estonian ID or e-Residency (Optional)

• Estonian e-residency is not required to buy a car, but having it makes the process 100x easier. If you are approved for e-residency, you receive a Digital ID which makes it easier to sign documents in the country,
  
• You do need an address in Estonia — you can use a friend’s or a rental.

Step 2. Buy a Vehicle to Start Your Van-Life

• We suggest browsing the vehicles on auto24.ee
  
• Be ready to provide:
  
  • Passport
    
  • Driver’s license
    
  • Estonian address

Step 3. Get Car Insurance

• Third-party liability insurance is required before registration.
  
• Flexible insurers:
  
  • If Insurance: https://www.if.ee
    
  • Seesam: https://www.seesam.ee
    
  • Ergo: https://www.ergo.ee
    
• Many insurers offer English support and online registration.

Step 4. Register the Vehicle

• Registration must be done in person at the Maanteeame. You can book an appointment online at https://www.mnt.ee
  
• Required paperwork:
  
  • Purchase documents
    
  • Insurance
    
  • Inspection (if needed)

Lithuania is another place that allows nonresidents to buy and register vehicles.

Step 1. Secure a Lithuanian Address

• Residency is not required, but you will need a local address for vehicle registration. You can use a temporary rental address or a friend’s.

Step 2. Purchase a Vehicle to Start Your Van-Life

• We recommend using autoplius.lt
  
• Private sellers and dealers both seem to accept foreign buyers.
  
• Documents needed:
  
  • Passport
    
  • Driver’s license
    
  • Lithuanian address

Step 3. Obtain Car Insurance

• Third-party liability insurance is mandatory. Be sure to select the “Green Card” option if you plan to see multiple countries.
  
• Companies to consider:
  
  • Compensa Vienna Insurance: https://www.compensa.lt
    
  • Gjensidige: https://www.gjensidige.lt
    
  • Lietuvos Draudimas: https://www.ld.lt

Step 4. Register the Vehicle

• You must go to the Regitra office: https://www.regitra.lt
  
• You will need:
  
  • Bill of sale
    
  • ID/passport
    
  • Proof of insurance
    
  • Technical inspection (if required)
    

If you plan to start your van-life adventure in Europe, these three countries are great places to start. Of course, be sure to do your own research before purchasing a vehicle, because the processes may have changed. We wish you luck on your road trip!

If you are looking for other useful travel hacks, check out our articles Airlines With Free Stopover Programs and Travel Insurance For Digital Nomads.