Estimated VRT & Costs
Fill in the details and click “Calculate VRT” to see your estimated costs.
Note: This calculator is for vans only. Rates are based on 2025 VRT regulations. For official calculations, use Revenue’s VRT service.
Starting from January 1st, 2025, Ireland updates rules for Van VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax). The tax for Category B vans now depends on the van’s CO₂ emissions. If a van emits 120g/km or less, you pay 8% of its market value, with a minimum of €160. For emissions above 120g/km, the rate increases to 13.3%, with a minimum charge of €266. If you choose an electric van and its loaded weight is at least 125% heavier than its empty weight, you qualify for a flat VRT rate of €200. This new rule replaces the older 130% requirement and gives electric van buyers better benefits.
To make the process easier, we’ve built a free van VRT calculator right on this page. You can use it to check how much VRT you need to pay, whether you’re importing a van or buying one locally. These updates support cleaner vehicles and make it easier for van buyers to understand their tax costs.
How VRT Works for Vans in 2025?
In 2025, Ireland uses two simple rules to calculate VRT for vans based on their weight. If your van weighs 3.5 tonnes or less, your VRT depends on how much CO₂ it emits. You pay 8% of the market value if emissions are 120g/km or lower. If emissions go above 120g/km, the rate increases to 13.3%. So before you register a van, check its CO₂ emissions to know what rate applies.
If your van weighs more than 3.5 tonnes, you pay a flat fee of €200, no matter the emissions. Electric vans also qualify for this €200 flat rate, but only if the loaded weight is at least 125% of the empty weight. This rule changed from 130% to 125% in 2025, which allows more electric vans to qualify. This makes electric vans a smarter and more affordable choice for many drivers and businesses.
| Van Type | VRT Rate | Example (€20k van) |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel (115g/km) | 8% | €1,600 |
| Diesel (130g/km) | 13.3% | €2,660 |
| Electric (meets weight rule) | €200 flat | €200 |
| Large van (>3.5t) | €200 flat | €200 |
How to Calculate Your VRT for VAN?
- Check your van’s weight as we mentioned above.
- Find the CO₂ emission level for vans ≤3.5 tonnes.
- Check the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) using OMSP Calculator.
- Apply the correct rate based on CO₂ emissions.
- For electric vans, if weighs at least 125% of a similar diesel version. Then your VRT is a flat €200.
If you’re planning to import a van, make sure to consider the extra costs. When importing from the UK, you usually need to add 10% customs duty and 23% VAT. However, if you already paid VAT in the UK under specific rules, you might not need to pay it again. On the other hand, if you import from an EU country, the process is simpler. You only pay the VRT, with no extra customs duty or VAT added.
VRT Differences: Importing vs Buying Locally
There are some clear differences in how VRT works when you import a van versus when you buy one in Ireland. If you bring a van into the country, you need to pay VRT within 30 days of its arrival. On the other hand, when you buy a van locally, the VRT is usually already included in the price. However, if you change the use of a van from commercial to private use, then you may need to pay VRT again based on the new use.
To compare the total cost properly, look at all expenses, not just the price of the van. When importing, you should also count customs duty, VAT (if needed), transport costs, and registration fees. By adding up all these costs, you can better decide whether importing or buying in Ireland is the smarter choice.
To compare costs effectively:
- Check the van’s origin, is it local or import.
- Use a VRT calculator to get an estimates.
- Add all fees like VRT, VAT and custom duty for imports vs. just VRT for local purchases.
Tip: Importing can still be cheaper for rare or high value vans, but local purchases avoid hidden fees. Always check Revenue’s VRT estimator before deciding.
Value Added Tax (VAT) and Customs Duty
In Ireland, taxes like Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs duty play an important role when someone brings a car or van into the country. The government adds 23% VAT to most vehicle purchases, unless the seller already included this tax in the price. If you buy a vehicle from outside the EU, you often go through a few extra steps before you can use it on Irish roads. Especially from the UK since Brexit then customs charges will bump up your total cost even more. Many buyers don’t realize how much these extra fees add up until it’s too late.
VRT works differently than VAT and customs. Even if you paid VAT somewhere else, Ireland still charges VRT when you register your vehicle here. These added costs affect not just car dealers, but also regular people who want to save money or find a specific model that isn’t sold locally. Therefore, it’s important to plan ahead, check the required documents, and compare prices with local options. As more Irish drivers look for good deals or more variety, they now pay closer attention to how these taxes connect and what each step means for their final cost.