Northern Ireland Regulations
What’s New for Volvo Drivers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Understanding the Changes
Since Brexit, the rules for selling and registering new vehicles have changed. Previously, all cars sold in the UK and EU followed the same approval process. Now, Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland each have their own vehicle approval systems, due to new legislation and the Windsor Framework.
What Is Type Approval?
Type Approval is a certification process that ensures every new vehicle meets strict safety and environmental standards before it can be sold and registered. This process checks that vehicles are built and tested to meet these standards, and that manufacturers consistently produce cars to the approved specification.
How Do the Rules Differ Now?
Volvo cars registered in Great Britain require GB Type Approval.
Volvo cars registered in Northern Ireland require EU Type Approval.
While the cars themselves remain the same, each region now requires its own certification number to comply with local regulations.
Differentiating Model Years
For model year 2025 (MY25) and earlier, you can register your Volvo in either Great Britain or Northern Ireland without concern - your car is ready for both markets.
For model year 2026 (MY26) and beyond, your Volvo will need the correct certification for where you intend to register it:
-GB Type Approval for Great Britain
-EU Type Approval for Northern Ireland
About the New Emissions Standard: Euro 6e-bis
Euro 6e-bis is a new emissions standard adopted across Europe. It changes how CO₂ emissions are calculated, particularly for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which may display higher CO₂ values as a result. This is purely an administrative update - there are no technical changes to your Volvo.
In Great Britain, Euro 6e-bis does not apply; cars must meet at least Euro 6d.
In Northern Ireland, Euro 6e-bis will apply to cars registered from 1 January 2026.
What Does This Mean for You?
If You’re Registering a Volvo in Northern Ireland:
Buying a car from the Shop page - Mild Hybrid and Electric only:
You are free to select and purchase any vehicle. Any necessary type approval work will be undertaken on your behalf to ensure the correct certification is applied. If you have any questions, please contact your local Volvo retailer in Northern Ireland.
Buying a car from the Shop page - Plug-in Hybrid only:
The date at which a vehicle is built in the factory would determine the emission standard, which in turn dictates whether or not the vehicle can be registered in Northern Ireland. We recommend contacting your local Volvo retailer in Northern Ireland to discuss your options and available vehicles for purchase.
Ordering a New Car via the Car Configurator:
If you’re custom ordering a MY26 Volvo for Northern Ireland, select the “EU CoC for Northern Ireland” option - this sits under Internal item within the Add optional equipment section. This ensures your Volvo has the correct approval and paperwork, so your vehicle excise duty and on-the-road price are accurate. Note that this is not yet available for EX30, and you should continue your order as normal.
In summary:
If you’re in Great Britain: Buy as usual - your Volvo is ready for the road.
If you’re in Northern Ireland: It is best to work with your local Volvo retailer to ensure your your new Volvo meets all local requirements, so you receive the right car, with the right certification, at the right price.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us.