Answer

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.

Do I need to pay the insurance before I get the eVB?

No — the eVB is a pre-cover confirmation. The policy activates the moment the car is registered and premium payment starts from that date. You can cancel free of charge if the registration doesn't happen within the eVB's validity window.

How the Zulassungsstelle uses the code

The clerk types the 7-character code into the central system, which returns the insurer, the policy and the vehicle it covers. If the data does not match the car in front of them — wrong VIN, expired confirmation, wrong keeper name — the registration stops there. That is why the eVB has to be requested for the specific vehicle and keeper, not "in general".

eVB for a non-resident keeper

Most German insurers will not issue an eVB to a policyholder without a German address, which is where remote registrations usually fail. In our structure the policy is written with AXA or Zurich in the keeper's name and lists you and any drivers you name, so the eVB is issued against a German address that genuinely exists.

Liability only, or comprehensive?

Only Kfz-Haftpflicht (third-party liability) is legally required and it is all the eVB confirms. Teilkasko covers theft, glass, fire, hail and animal damage; Vollkasko adds self-inflicted damage. For a valuable car that spends months in storage, a laid-up or comprehensive policy is usually the cheaper mistake to avoid.

What happens if the policy lapses

The insurer notifies the Zulassungsstelle directly. The office then orders the vehicle out of service and can have the plates removed by the police — there is no grace period in practice. Keeping the premium paid is therefore part of keeping the registration alive, not a separate matter.

FAQ

Can non-residents get an eVB?

Directly, rarely — most German insurers require a German policyholder address. As part of our service, AXA and Zurich issue the eVB in our name as keeper.

How fast is an eVB issued?

Usually within minutes to a few hours of the policy application being accepted. It is not the bottleneck in a registration.

Is the eVB the same as an insurance policy?

No. It is a confirmation that cover exists for that vehicle, meant for the registration office. The policy itself, with its terms and premium, is a separate document.

Can one eVB be used for two cars?

No. Each code is tied to one vehicle and one keeper. A second car needs its own confirmation.

Last updated: July 2026