Can I own a French registered car as a non-resident?
I would love to drive through Brazil and Suriname starting from French Guiana. However, renting a car to do this proved to be impossible. There are ferries between French Guiana and Suriname and a bridge between French Guiana and Brazil. This implies French registered car do cross the border to Brazil and Suriname. If I am not a resident of France, would I be able to buy a second hand car, insure it and cross the border to Brazil and or Suriname?
Best Answer
You ask many questions, and the answers are several.
Yes, you can buy and own a French car while not being a resident.
You can insure it either through your own company in whatever country you are in (for a short or long term period) or through a French company. The price might be high, since you might not offer the highest guarantee for the French company. Insurance companies have complex models to calculate the amount to pay, and foreign owners of cars in French Guyana is fairly complex.
Crossing the borders is a different topic. 3.1. Regulation from Brazil or Surinam might prevent you from crossing the borders freely with your car; you might need special waiver etc. 3.2. This adds to the problem of insurance. Usually French insurance companies insure for the French territory (and the European Union). It might be difficult to have an international car insurance covering Brazil and Surinam (or more costly).
Of course, it is mandatory to have insurance in France (and French Guyana), it might not be the case in Brazil or Surinam). If you have a very beat up car, you might not care that much.
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Can you own a car in France as a non resident?
Buying a car in Europe as a foreigner is possible, but legally owning it is not. Registering a car in your name without an address and/or residency is almost impossible in any European country. There are a few loopholes such as companies that offer buy back schemes or setting up a company in France or Bulgaria.Can I own a French registered car in France?
Registered. Officially only a "resident" or someone posessing a lng-term visa (12 months) can own and register a French registered vehicle in their name at a French address.Can a non resident own a car in the UK?
Yes, foreign nationals can buy a car in the UK as long as they have a valid visa and meet the requirements set by the government. You'll need to have your documents in order, including your passport, driver's license, and proof of insurance. You may also need to show proof of residency in the UK.Can I drive a French registered car in Spain?
EU citizens who are not Spanish residents may drive their foreign-registered vehicles (cars, motorbikes and caravans) in Spain for up to 180 days (six months) in a calendar year as long as it is road-worthy in the country in which it is registered. In this case, only the owner of the vehicle may drive it.HOW TO register a car in EUROPE WITHOUT RESIDENCY OR A VISA |
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Answer 2
No, you cannot own a french car unless you are domiciled (Live full time) there. To register a car requires a photo ID & proof of domicile.
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