Олександр Сич
June 25, 2026
Short answer. Re-registering a passenger car via ‘Diia’ in 2026 costs around 1,306 UAH with new number plates (administrative fee 350 UAH + registration certificate 606 UAH + number plate from 350 UAH) or approximately 956 UAH if you keep the old number plates. Submitting the application itself takes a few minutes; the seller and buyer each confirm the transaction via their own smartphone. The online service is not available if the car is under seizure, pledged as collateral, wanted by the police or being sold by power of attorney.
Buying or selling a car in Ukraine no longer means queuing at Ministry of Internal Affairs service centres or dealing with piles of paperwork. From 2024, you’ll be able to change the car’s ownership simply via your smartphone: the contract is signed electronically, and the new documents are automatically uploaded to the state registers. The main questions on drivers’ minds are: how much does it cost, and can their particular car be re-registered online? Let’s look at both of these, with specific figures.
How much does it cost to re-register a car via ‘Diia’ in 2026
The fees are set by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Main Service Centre, and they are the same regardless of whether you complete the transaction online via ‘Diia’ or in person at a service centre. The total amount consists of several payments.
| Component | Amount in 2026 | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative service | 350 UAH | Amendments to the vehicle register |
| Vehicle registration certificate form | 606 UAH | New vehicle registration document in the buyer’s name |
| Number plates (passenger cars) | from 350 UAH | If you keep the old ones, this fee is not charged |
| Pension levy | 3–5% of the value | Only upon first registration of a new or imported car |
For a standard passenger car already registered in Ukraine, the full re-registration process, including the issue of a new registration certificate and a set of number plates, costs approximately 1,306 UAH. If the number plates remain with the vehicle, the amount is reduced to approximately 956 UAH. For a motorbike, the cost is around 1,109 UAH; for a trailer, 1,095 UAH; and for a moped, 1,049 UAH (the difference lies solely in the price of the number plate).
An important point regarding the pension levy: when re-registering a second-hand car between private individuals, this levy is not usually payable. This payment (ranging from 3% to 5% depending on the car’s value) applies only to the initial state registration — when the car is new or has just been imported from abroad. It’s handy to work out the exact amount in advance using the calculator on the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ State Service Centre website.
Who can use the service
The digital service is designed for standard sale and purchase agreements between two individuals. You can re-register a car via ‘Diy’ if all of the following conditions are met:
- both parties are adult citizens of Ukraine;
- both have an ID card or a biometric passport registered in the app;
- they have a tax identification number (RNOKPP);
- ‘Dii.Signature’ or another qualified electronic signature has been activated;
- the subject of the transaction is a passenger car, motorbike, moped or trailer.
When online re-registration is not possible
The service automatically checks the vehicle against several state registers and halts the transaction as soon as it detects an obstacle. Online registration is not available if:
- the car is being purchased under a general power of attorney (since 2021, only the owner may deregister the vehicle);
- the vehicle has been seized or enforcement proceedings have been initiated;
- the vehicle is listed as stolen;
- the vehicle is pledged as security to a bank;
- the VIN code does not match the register’s records or the markings are damaged;
- ownership is being transferred through inheritance or gift, or a legal entity is a party to the transaction.
In such cases, you will need to contact a Ministry of Internal Affairs service centre, and sometimes resolve the matter through the courts. If you encounter a seizure, a disputed ownership claim or a problem with the seller’s documents, it makes sense to consult a lawyer regarding the car sale and purchase agreement</ a> before transferring the money.
What documents will you need
Most of the data is retrieved automatically, but you should have the following to hand:
- Ukrainian passport (ID card);
- taxpayer registration number;
- vehicle registration certificate (technical passport);
- the ‘Diya’ app with Diya.Sign activated;
- a bank card for making payments.
Step-by-step guide: how to re-register a car via ‘Diya’
Step 1. The seller creates an application
The seller opens the vehicle re-registration service in ‘Diya’, selects the car, enters the buyer’s tax number, checks the vehicle details and confirms the creation of the application. The buyer receives a notification.
Step 2. The buyer confirms the transaction
The buyer opens the application in their app, checks all the details, confirms their agreement to the purchase, selects how to receive the new vehicle registration certificate and decides on the number plates — whether to keep the existing ones or get new ones. An error in the details at this stage is the most common reason for rejection, so it is worth checking carefully.
Step 3. Signing the electronic contract
Both parties sign the contract using Diya.Sign or another digital signature. It is only after signing that the contract becomes legally binding.
Step 4. Payment
The system automatically generates an invoice covering the administrative fee, the vehicle registration certificate, new number plates (if required) and delivery. Payment is made via the app using a bank card.
Step 5. Receiving the documents
Once the paperwork is complete, the data is transferred to the state registers. The new owner receives the electronic registration certificate straight away within the app, whilst the physical vehicle registration document and number plates (if ordered) are delivered by post or collected from a collection point.
Is a vehicle inspection required?
For most standard online transactions in 2026, a VIN code check by Ministry of Internal Affairs experts is not mandatory. However, if the system detects any suspicious details in the vehicle’s history or damage to the markings, ‘Diya’ will send a notification requiring an offline inspection at a service centre.
Common mistakes that cause the re-registration process to fail
- Incorrect buyer’s tax identification number (TIN). Just one incorrect digit — and the system will be unable to locate the other party to the transaction.
- Out-of-date documents. For example, a vehicle registration certificate showing an old surname after it has been changed.
- An expired electronic signature. Diya.Sign has a limited validity period; it must be renewed in advance.
- Unnoticed restrictions on the car. It is worth checking for any seizures or bans before the transaction, rather than finding out about them during the registration process.
- Transferring money before signing the contract. The transaction only becomes legally binding after both parties have provided their electronic signatures.
When to involve a lawyer
Let’s be honest: for a standard transaction between two bona fide owners, a lawyer isn’t needed — ‘Diya’ will guide you through the process in 15 minutes. However, there are situations where consulting a specialist is worth the investment: buying a car from abroad with an unclear customs history, doubts about the true owner, purchasing from a person against whom enforcement proceedings have been initiated, or disputes that have arisen after the transaction (hidden seizure, cancellation of registration). In these cases, it’s better to check the car and the seller before handing over the money than to have to recover it through the courts.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to re-register a car through ‘Diya’ in 2026?
For a passenger car — around 1,306 UAH with new number plates or approximately 956 UAH if you keep the old ones. The total comprises the administrative service fee (350 UAH), the registration certificate form (606 UAH) and, if required, number plates (from 350 UAH).
Is it possible to re-register a car without visiting a service centre?
Yes, in most standard cases the entire procedure is carried out online. A visit to a service centre is only required if there are legal or technical grounds — for example, for a VIN inspection.
Do the seller and buyer need to be present together?
No. Each party confirms their actions via the ‘Diya’ app on their own smartphone.
How long does the re-registration take?
Submitting the application takes a few minutes. The total time depends on checks against the registers and the chosen method of receiving the documents.
Is a pension levy payable when re-registering a second-hand car?
No. The pension levy (3–5 per cent of the value) is only charged upon initial state registration — when the car is new or imported from abroad. When a second-hand car is resold between private individuals, this levy is not usually payable.
Can I re-register a car if it is subject to a seizure order?
No. If there is a seizure order or other restrictions in place, the system will not allow you to complete the registration process until these have been lifted.
Can I re-register a car using a general power of attorney via ‘Diia’?
No. Since 2021, only the owner can deregister a car, so online transactions via power of attorney are not possible.
Is it compulsory to change the number plates?
No. During a standard re-registration, the number plates can remain on the car — this reduces the total cost by approximately 350 UAH.
Sources
- Main Service Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs — fees for vehicle registration and re-registration, 2026 — hsc.gov.ua
- Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1388 ‘On the Approval of the Procedure for State Registration of Vehicles’
- Terms and conditions for vehicle re-registration via the ‘Diia’ app — diia.gov.ua
Legal support for vehicle transactions
If your situation is more complex than a simple sale and purchase — such as a vehicle imported from abroad, doubts regarding the owner, a seizure or a dispute following the transaction — Svarog’s solicitors will verify the vehicle and its documents, assist with the contract and, if necessary, defend your interests in court. For more details, see the page for a lawyer specialising in road traffic accidents and motor vehicles and the section on civil law.
Telephone: +38 095 554-54-24, +38 096 554-54-25. Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street, Office 2 (Podil). Mon–Fri, 9.00–18.00.
Last updated: 15 July 2026. Author — [INSERT: Lawyer’s full name, licence number].