Italian Drivers Use Polish License Plates to Dodge High Insurance Costs in Naples

In Naples and surrounding areas, thousands of Italian motorists are registering their vehicles in Poland to avoid Italy's high compulsory traffic‑insurance premiums. The scheme, dubbed the “Italian method,” relies on fictitious sale contracts, shell persons or companies, forged technical inspection documents and proxy powers of attorney to obtain Polish plates without the cars ever entering Poland.

Data for 2025 show about 53,000 foreign‑plated vehicles in Italy, with roughly 35,000 concentrated in the Naples region. Polish mandatory insurance averages €129, while Italy’s average is €431 and exceeds €600 in Naples. The cost differential drives owners of luxury cars, SUVs and scooters—especially young drivers and those with poor claims histories—to adopt the practice.

Authorities find detection difficult; most cases surface after accidents. In 2024, Polish‑registered vehicles were at fault in 8,000 incidents in Italy, rising to over 11,000 in 2025. The influx also burdens Poland’s insurance market, prompting calls for stricter initial registration checks in both countries.