Answers
Every question you'd ask an AI about registering a car in Germany
Direct, dated, English answers to the 14 questions non-residents and expats ask most about German Zulassung, Umschreibung, Abmeldung and imports.
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 register a car in Germany without a German address (Anmeldung)?
Yes — you can get a car registered in Germany without an Anmeldung (city residence registration). The Zulassungsstelle requires a keeper (Halter) with a German address, but that keeper does not need to be you. A licensed service registers the car in its own name as keeper while you remain the legal owner via the purchase contract.
How much does it cost to register a car in Germany?
As of 2026 the administrative fee at the Zulassungsstelle is roughly €26–37 depending on the district, plus €15–30 for plates and €5–10 for the environmental sticker (Umweltplakette). Wunschkennzeichen reservation adds about €12.80. A typical total for a used car — excluding insurance premium and vehicle tax — lands between €70 and €120 in official fees, before any service fee.
What documents do I need to register a car in Germany?
To register a car in Germany you need the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (vehicle title), a valid eVB insurance confirmation number, proof of a passed HU/TÜV inspection (for used cars), the Certificate of Conformity (COC) for imports, a SEPA mandate for KFZ-Steuer, ID, and — if someone registers for you — a signed Vollmacht.
Can someone else register my car for me in Germany?
Yes. Any adult can register a car for you at the Zulassungsstelle if you provide a signed Vollmacht (power of attorney), a copy of your ID and the vehicle documents. This is how dealer registration works — and how remote registration services like GermanCarRegistration operate for clients who live abroad.
Can I register a car online in Germany?
Since i-Kfz Stufe 4 (September 2023), residents can register a car fully online in Germany — but only if they have a German ID with an activated eID function (or an eAT residence permit) and digital vehicle documents. Newcomers with only a passport, and most non-residents, are effectively locked out and need in-person registration or a service.
What is an eVB number and how do I get one?
An eVB number (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) is a 7-character code issued by a German insurer that proves you have valid liability cover for a specific vehicle. The Zulassungsstelle checks it electronically before releasing the plates — no eVB, no registration. You get one by taking out a policy with AXA, Zurich, HUK, Allianz or any other German insurer.
How do I register an imported car in Germany?
To register an imported car in Germany you need a Certificate of Conformity (COC) or a § 21 StVZO individual approval (Vollabnahme by TÜV/DEKRA), a valid HU inspection, and — for non-EU imports — customs clearance proof (Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung). The Zulassungsstelle then issues a fresh Erstzulassung with German plates.
When do I need a Certificate of Conformity (COC)?
You need a Certificate of Conformity (COC) whenever you register a car in Germany for the first time — including imports from another EU country and new cars. The COC is issued by the manufacturer and confirms the car complies with EU type approval. Without a COC, the alternative is a § 21 StVZO Vollabnahme by TÜV or DEKRA.
Do I need TÜV (HU) before registering a used car?
Yes — you need a valid HU (Hauptuntersuchung, commonly called TÜV) certificate to register any used car in Germany. The Zulassungsstelle checks the HU sticker on the plate or the paper report; if it has expired, the car must pass a fresh HU at TÜV, DEKRA or GTÜ before registration. HU costs about €90–140 and is valid for two years.
How do I deregister a car in Germany (Abmeldung)?
You deregister a car in Germany (Abmeldung / Außerbetriebsetzung) by bringing the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I & II and the plates to the Zulassungsstelle, or by using the i-Kfz online portal with an eID. It costs about €7–17. Insurance and KFZ-Steuer stop from the deregistration date. Non-residents can deregister via a service with a signed Vollmacht.
How do I transfer car ownership in Germany (Umschreibung)?
Umschreibung is the process of transferring a car to a new keeper (Halter) at the Zulassungsstelle. You need Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I & II, valid HU, an eVB from the new keeper's insurer, a SEPA mandate for KFZ-Steuer and the plates. The fee is €26–37 (plus new plates if the district changes). Non-residents complete the Umschreibung via a keeper-based service with Vollmacht.
How long does car registration take in Germany?
At the counter the actual registration takes 15–45 minutes once your appointment starts. Getting an appointment can take 1–6 weeks in big cities. Via a service like GermanCarRegistration, expect about 5 business days from documents received to plates couriered. Imports needing COC or Vollabnahme take 10–15 business days.
Can a foreigner buy and register a car in Germany?
Yes. There are no restrictions on who can buy a car in Germany — any foreigner can sign a Kaufvertrag with a dealer or private seller. The friction is registration: German law requires a keeper (Halter) with a German address. EU citizens with an Anmeldung can register directly; non-residents typically use a keeper-based service like GermanCarRegistration.