Italy prepares new rules for cars with foreign plates: who will need local civil liability insurance
Italy is preparing a new restriction for cars with foreign plates that are actually permanently used in the country. After registering such a vehicle in the REVE register, civil liability insurance may be required to be taken out through an insurance company operating under Italian rules.
The measure is aimed primarily against the so-called "Polish plates" scheme, in which a car is formally registered abroad, then used for years in Italy. However, if the rule is adopted in its current form, it will apply not only to Polish cars, but generally to foreign vehicles subject to REVE registration.
Important: the new insurance obligation is not yet in force. It is included in the basic text of the amendments to the Highway Code, which is still under approval.
What they want to change about insurance
Currently, a car with foreign plates lawfully used in Italy can have an insurance policy (RC Auto) issued abroad, if such insurance is recognized for driving in the country.
In the base draft of the new Code, it is proposed to change the rules for vehicles registered in REVE — Registro Veicoli Esteri, the foreign vehicle register maintained by ACI.
After the vehicle is entered in REVE, the RC Auto obligation must be fulfilled by signing a contract with an Italian insurance company or a foreign insurer officially authorized to operate in Italy.
That is, the expression "Italian insurance" does not necessarily mean a company headquartered in Italy. The main thing is that the insurer has the right to provide such a service on the Italian market.
The new rule has not yet entered into force
The base text has been sent to industry associations, which must present their comments by September 13, 2026. After that, the document still needs to be finalized and approved.
Therefore, owners of foreign cars do not yet need to urgently terminate existing foreign policies just because of reports about the new norm.
But one part of the campaign against fictitious foreign registrations has already started.
Polish insurance can now be checked right on the road
Since August 13, Italian law enforcement authorities have gained access to Polish state databases.
During a check of a car with Polish plates, police can now establish in real time:
- whether registration documents are valid;
- whether RC Auto insurance coverage exists;
- whether vehicle data matches information in the Polish registry;
- whether driver's licenses issued in Poland are valid.
Previously, checking foreign documentation could be significantly more difficult. Now Italian police obtain necessary information directly from Polish state systems.
Why Italy has targeted "Polish plates" specifically
In recent years, the scheme has become especially widespread in regions with expensive car insurance, primarily in Campania.
The car is formally removed from Italian registration and registered to a foreign company, after which the former owner continues to use the same vehicle in Italy, for example under a rental or use agreement.
The main incentive is the difference in RC Auto cost. At the same time, foreign registration can complicate control of fines, documents and insurance coverage.
This fictitious foreign registration is called esterovestizione by Italian media and authorities.
Who already now needs to register a car in Italy
The new proposals do not cancel rules that have been in force for several years.
ACI points out: if a person has obtained official residence in Italy and is himself the owner of a vehicle with foreign registration, the general rule requires registering the car in Italy within three months after obtaining residence.
REVE is intended primarily for another situation — when a person lives in Italy, but the foreign vehicle belongs to another individual or company abroad.
When REVE is needed
If an Italian resident drives a car registered abroad to another owner, the vehicle must contain a document with a certified date, from which it is clear on what basis and for what period the vehicle is provided to him.
This can be, for example, a rental, leasing or free use agreement.
If a resident receives such a vehicle at his disposal for more than 30 days during a calendar year, even if these days are not consecutive, information about the vehicle and period of use must be entered in REVE.
And for this category of vehicles, the new draft provides an additional step — insurance through a company that operates on the Italian market.
Does this mean a tourist with a foreign car will need Italian insurance?
No. The new proposal does not mean that any car crossing the border of Italy must obtain an Italian policy.
A tourist permanently living abroad and temporarily visiting Italy in his own car is in a different legal situation and does not automatically become a REVE user.
The key questions are where the driver lives, who owns the car, on what basis it is used, and how long the vehicle is actually at the disposal of an Italian resident.
What is important for Ukrainians in Italy
For cars with Ukrainian plates, the situation requires special attention.
The Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport previously established a special procedure for Ukrainians with temporary protection. Owners of vehicles registered in Ukraine, if conditions are met, can obtain special Italian EE plates, and their validity is linked to the period of temporary protection.
However, if a Ukrainian residing in Italy uses a car with Ukrainian plates belonging to another person, the obligation of registration in REVE remains if the conditions of Article 93-bis are met.
Therefore, if the proposal on mandatory local RC Auto is finally adopted without additional exceptions, it could potentially affect such vehicles registered in REVE, not only cars with Polish plates.
What the owner of a car with foreign plates should check
- are you a resident of Italy;
- in whose name the car is officially registered;
- how long you use it in Italy;
- whether REVE registration is needed;
- do you have a document confirming the right to use someone else's vehicle;
- whether insurance coverage is valid on Italian territory.
The main change now is Italy first strengthened the ability to check foreign vehicles, and the next step plans to tie cars permanently used in the country and registered in REVE to the Italian insurance market.
The final rules will become clear after the approval of the draft Highway Code is completed.
