Kosovo's new car import restrictions: What it means for drivers

Kosovo cracks down on older car imports – big changes for car buyers in 2025

Jan 9, 2025 - Starting January 2025, Kosovo will ban the import of vehicles older than 2015. This move, part of a 2017 law aimed at modernising the nation’s car fleet, is set to affect thousands of drivers across the country.

Under the updated regulations, all imported vehicles must meet strict Euro 4 standards and come with certification proving their origin. While these measures aim to improve road safety and reduce emissions, they also hit Kosovo’s car buyers, many of whom rely on second-hand imports to find affordable vehicles.

The impact will be felt by citizens who are already facing difficulties in accessing affordable cars. Currently, Kosovo has nearly 500,000 registered vehicles, with the average age of cars on the road being a hefty 18 years. Over 144,000 of these cars are imports from Germany, mostly Volkswagens – many of which will no longer be eligible for import once the new law takes effect.

The change comes after years of pushback from political figures like Mërgim Lushtaku of the Democratic Party of Kosovo. Lushtaku has been vocal in his opposition to the 10-year age limit, describing the law as unfair and saying it restricts access to affordable vehicles. However, despite his calls for change, the law remains in place, and efforts to amend it have so far failed to gain traction in parliament.

Experts, including traffic analyst Nol Dedaj, say that Kosovo’s roads are dominated by cars that are more than 80% depreciated. Dedaj argues for greater state oversight to ensure the safety of these older vehicles, particularly with the growing number of older cars being driven. He also suggests changes to customs regulations to ease the burden on importers.

With the January 2025 deadline fast approaching, Kosovo drivers face a difficult choice: find a newer car at a higher cost or continue to drive older vehicles, many of which may now be harder to import.