Russia May Allow Registration Of Cars Flagged By Interpol From 'Unfriendly' Countries

Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs wants to change the rules on vehicle registration, and it’s a move that could stir up plenty of debate. Under a new proposal, cars flagged in Interpol’s database could still be registered and driven in Russia if they were reported at the request of countries Moscow now labels as “unfriendly.”

The idea comes after a growing number of complaints from owners who legally bought imported cars, paid all the required taxes, and still found themselves unable to register them.

In many cases, these vehicles ended up on Interpol’s wanted list, but Russian authorities say they can no longer verify the reasons behind those alerts. Since early 2022, requests sent to law enforcement agencies in several European countries have often gone unanswered.

Right now, even a court ruling in the owner’s favor doesn’t help. There’s simply no legal process that allows registration once a car appears in the Interpol system. The proposed changes are meant to fix that and protect buyers who acted in good faith, including those who imported cars from Germany and elsewhere in Europe. As of early 2026, more than 120 cars in Russia were still wanted internationally at Germany’s request.

That said, experts are urging caution. If the country that issued the alert later confirms the car was stolen, registration could be revoked and the vehicle seized. Driving such a car outside Russia would also be a gamble, as border authorities could confiscate it on the spot.

If approved, the law could reshape Russia’s imported car market, but it may also leave buyers wondering how much risk is too much.