White Dutch export plates: what they allow on the way to Portugal
White export plates let a deregistered car use Dutch roads for 14 days. Here is what that means for the trip through Belgium, France and Spain to Portugal, what to check beforehand and when transport is the safer choice.
- Plates and 14-day insurance from €100
- Green Card also sent as a PDF
- One or two plates, per vehicle type
from €100
A Dutch export plate is not a new number: it is the car's existing registration number on white plates with black characters. You receive the plates at our desk in Hengelo with the export document and insurance: from €100 for plates and insurance, or in the complete package from €150.
How long white export plates are valid in the Netherlands
After deregistration, the car may use Dutch public roads with export plates for 14 days, but never longer than its APK is valid (the APK is the Dutch roadworthiness test). Without a valid APK the car may not be driven on public roads at all. Extending the insurance does not extend these 14 days: extending export insurance only covers the insurance.
The car keeps its registration number; only the colour of the plates changes. The white plates must stay legible in all weather.
Temporary export plates through Belgium, France and Spain
The route south runs through Belgium, France and Spain. Temporary number plates are not harmonised in the EU, so the rules for a Dutch export plate vary by country, especially for any day after the first 14. The RDW and NederlandWereldwijd advise you to check them before you go, for the destination and every transit country. Spain says no formalities are needed for a vehicle that is only passing through, but it does not mention foreign temporary or export plates. Make sure your insurance and Green Card cover every country on the route. The RDW explains this on its page about exporting a vehicle.
Article 31 CISV and Dutch export plates in Portugal
Portuguese law (article 31 of the ISV code) allows cars with provisional registration from another EU country up to 90 days of temporary admission, but only for non-residents who request a guia de circulação from customs, and only while the registration is valid. Whether Portugal treats a Dutch export plate as such a provisional registration is not clear, and the RDW gives export plates 14 days. Do not rely on the 90 days.
If you live in Portugal or are moving there, consult customs (alfândega) before the trip, or choose transport. The Portuguese steps after arrival are on importing a car to Portugal.
The 14-day policy and Green Card behind your white plates
White plates come with 14 days of third-party insurance and a Green Card, arranged through our insurance partner; the Green Card also comes by email as a PDF. If the Portuguese process takes longer, the insurance can be extended by 14 days at a time after the insurer agrees. Details on export insurance for Portugal. The papers you receive are explained on Dutch export documents.
Transporter or trailer instead of export plates: CMR and DAV
Transport is an alternative. We do not offer transport ourselves, but a car on a trailer or transporter usually needs no driving insurance. It still needs the export document, and with transport, Portuguese customs asks for the transport document (CMR) and proof of payment with the DAV. The 20 working days for the DAV still run from the day the car enters the country.
White plates per vehicle and paying tolls in Portugal
A car gets two white plates; a motorcycle, scooter, caravan or trailer gets one, at the rear. The table below shows insurance, APK and plates per vehicle type, including heavier vehicles such as vans and trucks. Portugal uses electronic tolls; gov.pt names EasyToll, TollCard, TollService and Via Verde for visitors. Whether these work with a Dutch export plate is not clear, so check with the provider first.
Common mistakes with white export plates
- The APK expires within the 14 days: the export plate is then no longer valid either.
- The insurance ends before arrival: extend it in time, knowing that this does not extend the plates.
- A transit country treats the plate differently: the rules vary by country, so check them beforehand.
- Someone moving to Portugal drives in without first asking customs (alfândega) about using a foreign registration.
- The originals stay behind: the export certificate and registration card should travel with the car or its buyer.
| Vehicle | Insurance required | APK (Dutch roadworthiness test) required | White plates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, van, truck or motorhome | Yes | Yes | 2 |
| Motorcycle, scooter or moped | Yes | No | 1 |
| Caravan or trailer over 750 kg | Yes, export insurance | Only above 3,500 kg | 1, with its own registration |
| Trailer up to 750 kg | Yes, on the chassis number | No | 1, with the towing vehicle's registration |
Sources: RDW (APK and export registration) and the Dutch government (registration plate of a trailer up to 750 kg). Export insurance for a caravan or trailer is part of our own export procedure. The export registration is valid for 14 days, but not beyond the APK expiry date.
| Service | Included | From |
|---|---|---|
| Export document | Export certificate, vrijwaringsbewijs (indemnification certificate) and RDW processing | €50 |
| Export insurance + white plates | 14 days liability cover, Green Card and white export plates | €100 |
| Complete export package | Export document, vrijwaringsbewijs, 14 days liability cover, Green Card and plates | €150 |
| Export insurance extension | 14 extra days of liability cover with a Green Card, requested online (per 14 days) | €120 |
When can the price be higher?
- All amounts are starting prices, including VAT where applicable.
- A surcharge may apply outside office hours. Office hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:30. On Sundays you are welcome by appointment, at a higher rate; call or WhatsApp first for the final price.
- Postal delivery costs more; the same postal rate applies to the Netherlands and abroad.
- The price can differ per vehicle, for example for heavy or non-standard vehicles.
- You always know the price in advance.
All rates, including postal delivery, caravans, trailers and custom work, are on the page Prices and costs for Portugal.
Exporting today?
Call or message us for free advice or an appointment, also outside office hours. On Sundays a higher rate applies; you always know the price in advance.
Export plates on the way to Portugal: questions
For how many days can I use white export plates in the Netherlands?
On Dutch roads for 14 days after deregistration, and never longer than the APK (the Dutch roadworthiness test) is valid. Extending the insurance does not extend that period.
Can I keep using export plates once I am in Portugal?
That is not clear. Portuguese law gives cars with provisional registration from an EU country up to 90 days of temporary admission, but only for non-residents with a guia de circulação from customs and while the registration is valid. Whether Portugal treats Dutch export plates that way is uncertain, so ask customs beforehand.
What if the car travels on a transporter?
A car carried on a trailer or transporter usually needs no driving insurance, but the export document is still required, so the car is deregistered for export as usual. We do not offer transport ourselves.
Can I use Portuguese toll roads with export plates?
gov.pt lists EasyToll, TollCard, TollService and Via Verde for visitors. Whether they work with a Dutch export plate is not clear, so check with the provider before you travel.
Do I get one or two white plates for my vehicle?
Two for a car. A motorcycle, scooter, caravan or trailer has one plate, at the rear. The table on this page lists each vehicle type.
RDW, Your Europe and AT sources on export plates
- RDW: Exporting a vehicle
- RDW: Bijzondere kentekenbewijzen
- RDW: Soorten kentekenplaten
- NederlandWereldwijd: Stappenplan auto exporteren bij een verhuizing naar het buitenland
- Your Europe: Buying and leasing a car in another EU country
- Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira: Qual o regime de admissão temporária aplicável aos veículos de matricula provisória de outro Estado membro da UE?
Checked on 1 November 2026