Selling or buying a car in Estonia in 2026 means not only negotiating the vehicle’s price but also accounting for additional fees. One of the most important is the registration fee, which was introduced on January 1, 2025, as part of the motor vehicle tax. In this article, we’ll explain in detail what the registration fee is, who and when must pay it, and how AllCars.ee service helps you save time and money.
What is the Registration Fee and Why Was It Introduced?
The registration fee is a one-time tax that applies to M1-category passenger cars and N1-category vans. Its purpose is to encourage the purchase of more environmentally friendly vehicles and supplement the state budget.
Important: The registration fee is paid only ONCE per vehicle. If the fee has already been paid once, you don’t have to pay it again at the next change of ownership.
When Must You Pay the Registration Fee?
1. When Registering a Vehicle in Estonia for the First Time
- If you’re importing a new or used car from abroad
- The fee must be paid before entering the vehicle into the traffic register
2. At the First Change of Ownership from 01.01.2025
- If you’re buying an already registered car in Estonia for which the registration fee hasn’t been paid before
- Applies to all transactions made after January 1, 2025
When the Registration Fee Does NOT Apply:
- If the car changes ownership for the second or third time (after the first payment)
- When a lease ends and the responsible user registers the car in their name
- For inherited vehicles
- For motorcycles (they only pay the annual tax)
How is the Registration Fee Calculated?
The registration fee consists of three parts:
1. Base Component
A fixed amount that’s the same for all vehicles. The base component doesn’t depend on the car’s age.
2. CO₂ Emissions Component
The more carbon dioxide the car emits, the higher the payable amount. This component encourages the purchase of eco-friendly cars.
3. Mass Component
Heavier car = higher fee. This component is calculated based on the vehicle’s mass.
Age Coefficient
The registration fee decreases depending on the car’s age. The older the car, the lower the fee.
Age Coefficients in 2026:
| Car Age | Coefficient | Fee Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| New car (0 years) | 1.00 | 0% |
| 1 year | 0.87 | 13% |
| 2 years | 0.75 | 25% |
| 3 years | 0.65 | 35% |
| 4 years | 0.56 | 44% |
| 5 years | 0.48 | 52% |
| 10 years | 0.30 | 70% |
| 15 years | 0.15 | 85% |
| 20+ years | 0.05 | 95% |
Examples of Approximate Registration Fee by Age:
- New car (diesel, 1600 kg): ~€1,100
- 5-year-old car: ~€850
- 10-year-old car: ~€600
- 15-year-old car: ~€500
- 20-year-old car: ~€400
⚠️ The exact amount depends on the specific model, CO₂ emissions, and mass. You can calculate the registration fee using the Tax and Customs Board calculator.
Who Pays the Registration Fee?
Payment of the registration fee during ownership change works similarly to state fees — the buyer and seller must agree between themselves who pays the fee.
Usually:
- The buyer pays if they want to register the car in their name
- The seller may pay if they want to speed up the transaction
With AllCars.ee: We pay the state fee ourselves, so you don’t need to worry about additional costs. We also handle all documentation.
Annual Tax 2026: What You Need to Know
In addition to the registration fee, all car owners pay an annual tax. This is a recurring tax that must be paid every year.
Who Pays the Annual Tax in 2026?
The annual tax is paid by the person who is the car owner or, in case of leasing, the responsible user as of January 1, 2026.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: If you sell your car, for example, on December 30, 2025, but the new owner doesn’t register the car immediately in their name and the process drags on until January 2, 2026, the obligation to pay the annual tax for 2026 remains with you!
Therefore, it’s important to:
- Always formalize ownership change in the Transport Administration’s e-service, where the process happens instantly
- If you sell through AllCars.ee, we formalize everything quickly and immediately — you don’t need to worry about subsequent tax problems
Annual Tax Payment Deadlines 2026:
- 1st installment: pay by June 15, 2026
- 2nd installment: pay by December 15, 2026
Annual Tax Amount
The annual tax also depends on CO₂ emissions, mass, and age. It usually ranges between €50–90 for compact cars.
Family Benefit for 2026
From 2026, an important tax benefit applies to families with children:
€100 per each minor child
- Applies to all children under 18
- Automatically reduces the annual tax
- Parents don’t need to apply for anything
- If both parents have a car, the benefit is split equally
Examples:
| Situation | Annual Tax Without Benefit | Benefit | Final Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family’s only car, 1 child | €70 | -€100 | €0 (completely eliminated) |
| Family’s only car, 2 children | €150 | -€200 | €0 |
| Family’s two cars (€50 + €115), 3 children | €165 | -€300 | €0 |
The Tax and Customs Board calculates benefits automatically. If the car tax has already been paid, the overpaid amount is transferred to your prepayment account.
State Fee for Ownership Change 2026
In addition to the registration fee, you must also pay the state fee for ownership change.
In e-service (fast and convenient):
- €55
At Transport Administration service bureau (in person):
- €71
Conclusion: E-service is €16 cheaper and much faster!
How AllCars.ee Helps You Save
When you sell your car through AllCars.ee, you get several benefits:
1. You Don’t Have to Pay State Fees Yourself
We take care of paying the state fee, so you don’t have to deal with it.
2. Fast and Secure Ownership Change
We formalize everything through e-service immediately — you don’t need to worry that the car will remain in your name and you’ll have to pay the annual tax in 2027.
3. Registration Fee Control
Before purchase, we check whether the registration fee has already been paid for the car or not. If not, we factor this into determining the car’s price.
4. History Check
We check the car’s history through the traffic register and traffic insurance database — so you know exactly what condition you’re selling the car in.
5. Money Immediately
Right after signing the contract, you receive the money — no need to wait days or weeks.
6. We Work Throughout Estonia
If you live in Tallinn, we can complete the transaction in just a couple of hours. If you live outside Tallinn, we come to you — our specialist will come to your location and handle everything on-site.
Practical Example: Selling a Car Through AllCars.ee
Situation: You have a 2015 Volkswagen Golf (10 years old) for which the registration fee hasn’t been paid.
If you sell on your own:
- You need to find a buyer
- You and the buyer must agree on who pays the registration fee (~€600)
- You need to pay the state fee (€55 in e-service)
- You need to prepare the contract and take care of documents
- The process can take weeks
If you sell through AllCars.ee:
- You fill out a form on our website (3 minutes)
- Our specialist evaluates the car (15 minutes on-site)
- We prepare the contract for free and pay the state fee
- You receive money immediately
- The entire process takes ~1 hour
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I have to pay the registration fee if I sell my car to AllCars.ee?
No, if the fee hasn’t been paid before, we factor this into determining the car’s price. You don’t have to pay anything yourself.
2. How can I check if the registration fee has been paid for a car?
This can be checked in the Transport Administration database or let us do it — we check automatically.
3. Does the annual tax disappear if I sell the car?
No. The annual tax is paid by whoever is the car owner on January 1. If you sell the car, for example, in March, you still have to pay the tax for the entire 2026 year.
4. Do I have to pay the registration fee when buying out a lease?
No. When the lease ends and the responsible user registers the car in their name, the registration fee doesn’t apply. It must be paid only at the next ownership change.
5. What if I sold the car on December 31 but the buyer didn’t register it immediately in their name?
Unfortunately, the annual tax for 2027 will remain with you. That’s why we always recommend using e-service or selling through AllCars.ee, where we formalize everything immediately.
6. Do I have to pay both the registration fee and the annual tax?
Yes, these are two different taxes:
- Registration fee = one-time (only at first ownership change)
- Annual tax = recurring (every year)
How to Sell Your Car Through AllCars.ee?
Step 1: Fill Out the Form on the Website
Enter your car’s details in the form on our website. It takes only 3 minutes. You can add photos — the more information, the more accurate price quote we can give you.
Step 2: Receive a Preliminary Price Offer
Our specialist analyzes your data, checks the car’s history through the traffic register and traffic insurance database, and makes you a preliminary price offer.
Step 3: We Meet
Our expert comes to a location convenient for you (at home, at work, or anywhere else in Estonia). We evaluate the car on-site — it takes about 15 minutes.
Step 4: Contract Signing
If the price is acceptable, we prepare the sales contract immediately. We pay the state fee and all necessary charges.
Step 5: You Receive Money
Right after signing the contract, you receive money in a way convenient for you — bank transfer or cash.
Conclusion: Why Sell Through AllCars.ee?
In 2026, selling a car involves several fees: registration fee (if not paid before), state fee, and annual tax. These can cause confusion and additional expenses.
AllCars.ee Advantages:
✅ Fast process — entire transaction takes ~1 hour
✅ Free document processing — we handle everything ourselves
✅ Money immediately — no need to wait
✅ We check car history — transparency and security
✅ We work throughout Estonia — we come to you
✅ Real clients and reviews — verifiable on Google Maps
Ready to sell your car?
Fill out the form and get a price quote →
Questions?
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AllCars.ee — professional car buyback in Tallinn and throughout Estonia. Fast, reliable, transparent.