Answer
How do I register a car in Germany as a non-resident?
Non-residents can register a car in Germany through a licensed service that acts as registered keeper (Halter) or by power of attorney (Vollmacht). GermanCarRegistration handles the Zulassungsstelle appointment, insurance (eVB number), vehicle tax mandate, plates and shipping of the Zulassungsbescheinigung. You provide ID and vehicle documents; typical turnaround is about 5 business days.
Can I really register a car in Germany without living there?
Yes. German law requires a registered keeper (Fahrzeughalter) with a German address, but the keeper does not have to be the legal owner (Eigentümer). We act as keeper through our Brandenburg-based UG while you remain the owner under your purchase contract.
What does the non-resident registration process look like?
You send us the vehicle documents (COC, Kaufvertrag or Fahrzeugbrief), a copy of your ID and a signed Vollmacht. We arrange AXA or Zurich insurance, book the Zulassungsstelle slot, register the vehicle, mount plates and courier the Zulassungsbescheinigung to you.
Which countries do you support?
We support clients from anywhere — most of our clients are based in the UK, Switzerland, the USA, the UAE, and other EU countries. Nationality does not matter for German registration; the keeper's German address does.
Step by step: what happens after you contact us
Day 1: you send scans of your ID, the vehicle documents and the purchase contract, and we confirm the vehicle is registrable. Day 1–2: we arrange the AXA or Zurich policy and get the eVB number, and courier you the Vollmacht to sign. Day 2–4: the signed original arrives, we book the Zulassungsstelle slot and register the car. Day 4–5: plates are stamped, mounted and the Zulassungsbescheinigung is couriered to you.
What does it cost?
€500 one-time setup and €99 per month, billed 12 months upfront. If the car already has a foreign registration and needs conversion to German papers, add €400 once. Insurance premium and KFZ-Steuer are billed separately because they depend on the vehicle. Deregistration later is included and takes about 15 minutes, remotely.
Where can I drive the car?
Anywhere in the EU/EEA and Schengen — the car carries valid German plates, a German HU/TÜV and a German insurance policy. If you become resident in another country, that country's own rules on how long a foreign-plated car may stay apply, so check the local time limit before a long-term move.
What can go wrong, and how we prevent it
The three common failure points are a missing Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II, an expired HU, and an out-of-date or wrongly worded Vollmacht. We check all three against the documents you send before the appointment is booked, so the file is complete when we reach the counter.
Documents checklist
- Passport or national ID (copy)
- Vehicle documents: COC, Fahrzeugbrief (Teil II), Kaufvertrag
- TÜV/HU proof (for used cars)
- Signed power of attorney (Vollmacht) — we send the template
- SEPA mandate for KFZ-Steuer
Non-resident registration: what you do vs what we do
| Step | You | GermanCarRegistration |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle check | Send scans of the documents | Confirm the car is registrable |
| Insurance | Name the drivers | Arrange AXA or Zurich policy + eVB |
| Keeper address | — | German address in Brandenburg |
| Zulassungsstelle | Sign and courier the Vollmacht | Book the slot and attend in person |
| Plates | — | Stamped, mounted, sealed |
| Papers | Receive the courier | Ship Zulassungsbescheinigung |
| Deregistration later | One message | ≈ 15 minutes, remote, included |
FAQ
Do I need to fly to Germany?
No. The entire process is remote. Documents are couriered; we attend the Zulassungsstelle on your behalf.
Who owns the car?
It depends on the model you choose. In Model A the purchase contract stays in your name (you remain Eigentümer); we are the registered keeper (Halter) — a separate legal role under § 7 StVG. In Model B you are entered as Halter in the Fahrzeugbrief in your own name, using apostilled ID, power of attorney and foreign residency proof.
How long does it take?
About 5 business days from the moment the signed original Vollmacht and the vehicle documents reach us. The Zulassungsstelle appointment itself takes under an hour.
Can I sell the car later?
Yes. You are the owner under the purchase contract, so you can sell at any time. We handle the Umschreibung to the buyer's keeper or the deregistration, depending on where the car goes.
Can the car be stored while I'm abroad?
Yes — indoor storage near Berlin is available at €290 per month, with a 12-month minimum term.
Last updated: July 2026
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Need this handled for you?
We register cars in Germany for non-residents in about 5 business days — no address, no appointment, no travel.