New Trailer And Caravan Registration Requirement for Europe

(Effective from 26 August 2025)

This is the biggest new rule affecting UK caravan owners:

• Any caravan or trailer over 750 kg MTPLM must now be registered before being taken into most European countries.

• This applies even for non‑commercial use, which is a major change from the old exemption.

• Affects all mainstream caravans (Bailey Discovery, Phoenix, Pegasus, Unicorn, Alicanto, etc.).

This rule does not affect towing within the UK — only when travelling abroad

An UK Caravan or trailer must:

1. Be registered for EU travel displaying the Registration Plate (UK Trailer Registration Scheme)

2. Display the correct UK registration plate matching the towing vehicle

3. Carry the registration certificate when entering the EU

If the caravan does not display the required plate, EU police treat it as an unregistered or improperly registered trailer.

This is more serious than the old "missing plate" offence.

Typical Fines Under the New Rules (2025–2026)

Important: Under the new EU‑travel rules, police can stop your journey

If the caravan:

• has no plate,

• has the wrong plate, or

• is not registered under the UK Trailer Registration Scheme,

many EU countries will not allow you to continue until you fix it.

France, Spain, and Italy are the strictest.

What this means for UK caravans in 2026

If a UK caravan over 750 kg enters the EU without the required plate, you risk:

• €100–€750 fine, depending on country

• On‑the‑spot payment

• Journey interruption until a plate is fitted

• In some cases, being treated as towing an unregistered vehicle

For us Transport Virgil, this is a zero‑tolerance compliance point.

Customs Services

Requirements since Brexit

To ship a vehicle between the EU and the UK we have customs declarations to deal with and depending on the circumstances of the transported vehicle we may require a deposit on the customs payment due on entering the specific country. In any case, you will need to provide us with the following information, this is a legal requirement and as such, we cannot ship any vehicle until all documentation has been received.

Private owner moving car for self-use or recovery because of break down or any other non commercial reason:

Copy or original of the vehicle logbook / V5
Copy of passport of the keeper on the V5
Signed authorisation/ request for the transport

Transport for Commercial / Business transactions

Invoice showing, the EORI number of the seller or ( in case of a private sell) a Bill of Sale
Buyer ID and fiscal or EORI number, or ( in case of a private sell) a Bill of Sale
Customs declarations. (if you don't know how to do it we will guide you to the right agents)

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