My wife and I have lived in Austria since 2008 as "long-term visitors" (we had to leave the country every 6 months), being registered here as at a secondary address (Nebenadresse). We have now changed our registration to permanent residence (Hauptadresse).
We brought our UK registered (2005) Skoda Octavia with us, which meant that we had to return to the UK every year for the MOT. We have driven the Octavia in Austria for over 6 years with no problems. Prior the our residence re-designation I made enquiries what I would need to transfer the car to Austrian registration. It all seemed straight-forward until I started the process.
The problem I am facing is that the department of the provincial government (Landesregierung) that has to authorise the use of the car in the province (and hence Austria) requires a written statement from the main Skoda importer in which way my car is different from those normally imported into Austria. They do not seem to be able to supply that, and without it the provincial government will not move. The stalemate has now lasted almost 3 months.
The local Skoda agency has been very supportive, and finally suggested that I enquire at the equivalent department in Vienna. They replied that all that was necessary was to change the front and rear lights to the local norm together with an affadavit that these had been installed correctly.
If we lived in Vienna the problem would be solved, but we don't. The local man will not accept the opinion of the Viennese department.
Has anybody encountered, and overcome, this problem? Any ideas?
George