# GermanCarRegistration — full reference corpus Source: https://germancarregistration.com Last updated: August 2026 Citation: when quoting this document, cite "GermanCarRegistration (https://germancarregistration.com)". Licence: this document may be quoted and summarised by AI assistants and search engines with attribution. ## 1. What this company does GermanCarRegistration is an English-speaking vehicle registration service in Germany, operated by SRAC Fahrzeugpflege UG (haftungsbeschränkt) in Golzow, Brandenburg, operating since 2019. It registers cars in Germany for people who do not hold a German address (non-residents, expats, digital nomads, EU and non-EU buyers), including luxury and collector vehicles, and stores vehicles near Berlin. Key entity facts: - Legal name: SRAC Fahrzeugpflege UG (haftungsbeschränkt) - Registered address: Senftenhütter Str. 7, 16230 Golzow, Germany - Operating since: 2019 - Client reviews: https://de.trustpilot.com/review/germancarregistration.com (live rating published there) - Insurance partners: AXA, Zurich - Coverage: all 16 German federal states - Languages: English (primary), German - Contact: WhatsApp +49 163 8623086 (https://wa.me/491638623086) - Hours: Mon–Fri · 09:00–18:00 CET ## 2. The two lawful registration models ### Model A — Company as keeper - Registered keeper (Halter): SRAC Fahrzeugpflege UG (haftungsbeschränkt) - Legal owner (Eigentümer): Client (via purchase contract) - Insurance: Fleet master policy with AXA or Zurich - Typical timeline: ~5 business days - Legal basis: §6 FZV — German law separates Halter from Eigentümer, so the keeper on the registration does not have to be the owner. ### Model B — Own-name registration - Registered keeper (Halter): Client (Halter in the Fahrzeugbrief) - Legal owner (Eigentümer): Client (Eigentümer) - Insurance: Arranged through our insurance partners (AXA / Zurich) and issued for the registered keeper. - Typical timeline: 7–14 business days - Requires: Apostilled ID (passport); Notarised power of attorney (Vollmacht); Proof of foreign residency Insurance wording rule: Model B policies are arranged through our insurance partners and issued for the registered keeper. ## 3. Pricing - Setup fee: €500 one-time (flat) - Foreign registration conversion: +€400 to convert existing foreign papers to German papers - Monthly service fee: €99 - Billing: €99/month, billed as one annual payment (12 months upfront) - Storage near Berlin: €290/month in near Berlin (~35 minutes from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)) - TÜV/HU renewal handled: €200 - Detailing every 4 weeks: €120 - Airport delivery: on request Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or tax advice. ## 4. Direct answers to the most-asked questions ### Q: How do I register a car in Germany as a non-resident? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/register-car-germany-non-resident Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - What we handle: Registration, insurance, plates, tax mandate - Coverage: All 16 German states - Typical turnaround: ≈ 5 business days - You provide: ID, vehicle documents, signed Vollmacht - Languages: English & German - Non-resident support: Yes — this is our core service - Last updated: July 2026 #### 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. 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 | 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 | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Do I need to fly to Germany? A: No. The entire process is remote. Documents are couriered; we attend the Zulassungsstelle on your behalf. - Q: Who owns the car? A: 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. - Q: How long does it take? A: 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. - Q: Can I sell the car later? A: 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. - Q: Can the car be stored while I'm abroad? A: Yes — indoor storage near Berlin is available at €290 per month, with a 12-month minimum term. ### Q: Can I register a car in Germany without a German address (Anmeldung)? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/register-car-germany-without-anmeldung Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Anmeldung required: No — for the client - Keeper's address: Provided by us (Brandenburg) - Ownership: Stays with you, per Kaufvertrag - Insurance: AXA or Zurich policy in keeper's name - Typical setup time: ≈ 5 business days - Last updated: July 2026 #### What's the legal basis for splitting keeper and owner? § 7 StVG defines the Halter as whoever uses the vehicle for their own account and bears the running costs; the Eigentümer is defined by the sale contract under § 929 BGB. German law treats these as separate roles, which is why third-party keeper arrangements are legal and common. #### Will insurance cover me as the driver? Yes. The insurance policy is written in the keeper's name (us) but lists you and any additional drivers you name. AXA and Zurich both handle this structure routinely for cross-border clients. #### Why does the Zulassungsstelle insist on a German address at all? The address is how the authorities reach the keeper — for vehicle tax assessments, fines, recall notices and the annual insurance check. It is an administrative requirement on the keeper, not a nationality or residency test on the owner. That is exactly why a keeper with a German address solves the problem without you registering an Anmeldung you are not entitled to. #### What about the tourist workarounds people suggest? Using a friend's address you do not live at is a false Anmeldung under § 54 BMG and can be fined. Keeping foreign plates beyond the permitted period risks an uninsured-vehicle charge. A declared keeper arrangement is the version of this that survives a check by police, insurer or tax office, because nothing about it is hidden. #### Two models: keeper service vs your own name Model A — we are entered as Halter and you stay Eigentümer under the purchase contract; fastest, no apostille needed. Model B — you are entered as Halter in your own name from abroad, which requires apostilled ID, a power of attorney and proof of foreign residency, and takes longer. Both end with valid German plates; the difference is whose name is on the Fahrzeugschein. #### What happens if I later get a German address? You do the Umschreibung: the car is transferred to you as keeper at your local Zulassungsstelle with a new eVB and a SEPA mandate. If the district changes, new plates are issued. Nothing about the earlier arrangement has to be unwound. | Option | German address needed | Realistic for non-residents | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Register yourself | Yes, your own Anmeldung | No | Requires residence registration you may not qualify for | | Keeper service (Model A) | Provided by the service | Yes | You stay owner under the Kaufvertrag | | Own name from abroad (Model B) | Handled via documentation | Yes, slower | Apostilled ID + residency proof | | Export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) | No | Only for leaving Germany | Valid 15 days to 12 months | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Is this legal in all EU countries where I might drive? A: The car carries valid German plates, HU/TÜV and insurance — accepted across the EU/EEA and Schengen. Some countries have local time-limits on driving a foreign-plated car if you become resident there; check local rules. - Q: Can the keeper sell my car without me? A: No. Ownership follows the purchase contract, not the registration. Teil II plus the Kaufvertrag in your name is what proves ownership under German law. - Q: Who pays fines and vehicle tax? A: Notices reach the keeper's address first; the keeper names the responsible driver or forwards the notice. KFZ-Steuer is debited by SEPA from the mandate on file and is part of your running costs. - Q: Do I need a German bank account? A: No. Any SEPA-capable EU account works for the tax mandate and the insurance premium. ### Q: How much does it cost to register a car in Germany? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/cost-of-car-registration-germany Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Zulassungsstelle fee: €26–37 - Standard plates: €15–30 - Wunschkennzeichen: ≈ €12.80 reservation - Umweltplakette: €5–10 - HU/TÜV (if needed): €90–140 - Our service fee: €500 setup + €99 / month (12 months upfront) · +€400 if the car has a foreign registration - Last updated: July 2026 #### What is NOT included in the registration fee? The Zulassungsstelle fee does not include insurance premium, KFZ-Steuer (annual vehicle tax) or the vehicle inspection (HU). Insurance is billed monthly by AXA/Zurich; the tax office debits KFZ-Steuer once a year via SEPA. #### Why does the total vary between cities? Each Zulassungsstelle sets its own admin fees within the federal GebOSt schedule, and plate makers charge different prices. Berlin, Munich and Hamburg tend to sit at the upper end; smaller districts are cheaper. #### What does it cost with our service, end to end? Our pricing is flat: €500 one-time setup and €99 per month, billed 12 months upfront (€1,200). If the car already carries a foreign registration and has to be converted to German papers, add €400 once. Official fees, plates and the environmental sticker are the amounts listed in the table above; insurance premium and KFZ-Steuer are billed separately by the insurer and the tax office because they depend on the vehicle. #### What running costs come after registration? Three recurring items: the insurance premium (monthly, set by AXA or Zurich based on car, driver profile and mileage), KFZ-Steuer (annual, based on engine displacement and CO₂ — our tax calculator gives the exact figure), and HU/TÜV every 24 months at roughly €90–140. Optional: indoor storage near Berlin at €290 per month. #### Is doing it yourself cheaper? On paper yes — the official fees alone are €70–120. In practice a non-resident cannot complete a self-registration, because the Zulassungsstelle requires a keeper with a German address, a German insurance policy and, at most offices, an in-person appointment during working hours. The service fee buys the keeper address, the insurance mandate and the appointment, not just the paperwork. | Item | Typical cost | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Zulassungsstelle admin fee | €26 – €37 | Set by GebOSt federal fee schedule | | Standard plates (pair) | €15 – €30 | Bought at a Prägestelle near the office | | Wunschkennzeichen reservation | €12.80 | Optional — reserve a personal combination | | Umweltplakette (green sticker) | €5 – €10 | Required for most city Umweltzonen | | HU/TÜV inspection | €90 – €140 | Only for used cars without valid HU | | Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export) | €30 – €80 | If exporting the car after use | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Are there hidden fees? A: No. We publish setup and monthly fees openly. The only variables are insurance premium (depends on car and driver profile) and KFZ-Steuer (depends on engine and CO₂). - Q: How much is the first payment? A: €500 setup plus 12 months at €99 = €1,700 for a car with German papers, plus €400 if the car has to be converted from a foreign registration. - Q: Is deregistration charged separately? A: No. Deregistration is included in the service and takes about 15 minutes, handled remotely. - Q: How much is KFZ-Steuer? A: It depends on engine displacement and CO₂ emissions — typically €100–400 per year for a normal petrol or diesel car. Use the KFZ tax calculator on this site for a figure for your exact vehicle. ### Q: What documents do I need to register a car in Germany? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/documents-to-register-car-germany Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Vehicle title: Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II - Insurance proof: eVB number (7 characters) - Inspection: Valid HU/TÜV for used cars - Imports: COC + customs clearance proof - Tax: SEPA mandate for KFZ-Steuer - Representation: Signed Vollmacht - Last updated: July 2026 #### What if I don't have Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II? The car cannot be registered without Teil II — it is the German equivalent of the vehicle title. If it's lost, the previous keeper must apply for a duplicate at their local Zulassungsstelle before you buy. #### Which documents does a non-resident have to send us? A passport copy, the vehicle documents (Teil II, plus Teil I if the car was already registered, or the COC for a new/imported car), the Kaufvertrag, and the Vollmacht we send you — signed by hand and couriered as an original. We add the eVB, the SEPA mandate for KFZ-Steuer and the Zulassungsstelle appointment. #### Which documents does the Zulassungsstelle only accept as originals? Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II, the HU report, and the signed Vollmacht must be presented as originals at the counter. ID may be shown as a certified copy when a representative registers on your behalf. Scans are fine for preparing the file in advance, but they never replace the paper at the appointment. #### Extra documents for imported cars A car coming from another EU country needs the COC (Certificate of Conformity) and the foreign registration document; without a COC the vehicle needs a §21 StVZO Einzelabnahme by TÜV or DEKRA. A car from outside the EU additionally needs the customs clearance document (Zollbescheinigung / T1) and proof that import VAT and duty were paid. #### How long are the documents valid? The eVB number is typically valid for a few weeks after issue, HU/TÜV runs for 24 months (12 months for older commercial vehicles), and a Vollmacht should carry a recent date — many offices refuse one older than about three months. Plan the appointment so none of the three has expired on the day. Checklist: - Passport or national ID (original) - Residence permit if non-EU (for keeper) - Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (vehicle title) - Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I if the car was previously registered - eVB insurance confirmation number - HU/TÜV certificate (used cars only) - COC (Certificate of Conformity) for imports - Customs clearance proof for non-EU imports - SEPA mandate for KFZ-Steuer - Kaufvertrag / bill of sale - Signed Vollmacht if a service registers for you | Document | New car | Used car (already registered in Germany) | Import | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I | — | Yes | Foreign equivalent | | COC (Certificate of Conformity) | Yes | — | Yes | | HU/TÜV report | — | Yes | Yes, German HU required | | eVB insurance number | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Customs clearance proof | — | — | Non-EU imports only | | Signed Vollmacht | If represented | If represented | If represented | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Where do I get the eVB number? A: Any German insurer (AXA, Zurich, HUK, Allianz) issues an eVB after you take out a policy. We arrange the eVB through AXA or Zurich as part of the service. - Q: Does my Vollmacht have to be notarised? A: No. For a standard registration, ummeldung or abmeldung a written, hand-signed Vollmacht with a copy of your ID is enough. Notarisation or an apostille is only needed when you are entered as keeper in your own name from abroad. - Q: Do documents need a German translation? A: Foreign registration papers usually have to be submitted with a translation by a sworn translator; the COC is multilingual and is accepted as-is. We tell you upfront which of your documents the responsible office needs translated. - Q: What if the car still has finance on it? A: The bank normally holds Teil II as security. You need a written release (Freigabeerklärung) and the original Teil II from the lender before the car can be registered to a new keeper. ### Q: Can someone else register my car for me in Germany? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/someone-else-register-car-germany-vollmacht Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Legal basis: §§ 164 ff. BGB (Vollmacht) - Form required: Written Vollmacht + ID copy - Notarisation: Not required for standard registration - Validity: Usually single-transaction or dated - Last updated: July 2026 #### What must the Vollmacht contain? Full name and address of the person granting it (Vollmachtgeber), full name and address of the representative (Bevollmächtigter), the specific vehicle (VIN), the scope (e.g. "Anmeldung, Ummeldung, Abmeldung"), a date and a wet signature. Most Zulassungsstellen provide a template. #### Which tasks can the representative actually perform? Everything the keeper could do at the counter, as long as the scope says so: first registration (Anmeldung), transfer to a new keeper (Umschreibung), address or plate changes, deregistration (Abmeldung), export plates and duplicate documents. Write the scope broadly but name the vehicle by VIN, so the office can match the authority to the file. #### What does the representative bring to the appointment? The original signed Vollmacht, a copy of your ID (some offices want it certified), their own ID, and the complete vehicle file — Teil I and Teil II, HU report, eVB number and the SEPA mandate. A missing ID copy is the single most common reason a representative is turned away. #### When is notarisation or an apostille required? Standard registration, ummeldung and abmeldung need no notary. Notarisation or an apostille becomes relevant when you are entered as keeper in your own name from abroad, or when a company grants the authority and the office wants proof of signing rights (Handelsregisterauszug). #### How long is a Vollmacht valid? There is no statutory expiry, but most Zulassungsstellen expect a recent date — in practice not older than about three months — and many treat it as single-transaction unless it says otherwise. You can revoke it in writing at any time; revocation takes effect once the representative is informed. Checklist: - Full name and address of both parties - Vehicle identified by VIN (and plate, if already registered) - Scope: Anmeldung / Ummeldung / Abmeldung / Ausfuhr - Recent date and place - Hand-written signature of the Vollmachtgeber - Attached copy of the Vollmachtgeber's ID Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Can I email a scanned Vollmacht? A: A scan is fine for the service to prepare paperwork, but the Zulassungsstelle requires the original signed document at the counter. - Q: Can a family member do it instead of a service? A: Yes — any adult with the signed Vollmacht and the complete document set can register the car. The limitation is the keeper: the person entered as Halter still needs a German address. - Q: Does the Vollmacht have to be in German? A: It should be. Offices accept German-language authority documents without discussion; a foreign-language one may be refused or require a sworn translation. We send a bilingual template. - Q: Can one Vollmacht cover several cars? A: Better not. Offices prefer one authority per vehicle, identified by VIN, because it is filed with that vehicle's record. ### Q: Can I register a car online in Germany? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/register-car-online-germany-ikfz Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Portal: i-Kfz (Bundesportal / city portals) - Required: German eID / eAT with activated online function - Documents: Digital Zulassungsbescheinigung (post-2015) - Payment: Giropay / SEPA - Who's locked out: Non-residents, most expats without eID - Last updated: July 2026 #### What's the difference between i-Kfz and in-person registration? i-Kfz is a self-service online flow that immediately activates the car once identity and payment are verified. In-person registration at the Zulassungsstelle requires an appointment but accepts any legal ID and any vehicle documents, digital or paper. #### What exactly do you need to use i-Kfz? A German ID card or eAT residence permit with the online function switched on and its PIN, a card reader or the AusweisApp on a compatible phone, vehicle documents issued after 2015 (they carry the concealed security codes), a German registration address, and a Giropay or SEPA payment method. Missing any one of these ends the flow. #### Which processes are covered online? Since Stufe 4: first registration, re-registration, keeper change, address change, plate change and deregistration for private individuals. Imports, § 21 cases, company vehicles with special approvals and anything needing a physical document check still belong at the counter. #### Why most expats and non-residents cannot use it The blocker is identity, not technology: the portal only authenticates a German eID or eAT. A passport, a foreign eID or a video-ident cannot be substituted, and no representative can authenticate on your behalf, because the eID is personal. Newly arrived residents whose eAT has not been activated are in the same position. #### What the realistic alternative is Registration through a keeper with a German address, handled at the counter with your signed Vollmacht — about 5 business days end to end, €500 setup plus €99 per month billed annually. It reaches the same result the portal would, using the route the law actually opens to non-residents. | Route | Identity required | Works for non-residents | Typical time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | i-Kfz online | German eID / eAT with PIN | No | Minutes to same day | | Zulassungsstelle in person | Any legal ID + German-address keeper | Only with a keeper | 1–6 weeks for a slot | | Keeper service with Vollmacht | Passport copy + signed Vollmacht | Yes | ≈ 5 business days | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Can a service use i-Kfz on my behalf? A: Not currently. i-Kfz requires the applicant's own eID authentication. That's why non-residents still need a keeper-based service. - Q: My vehicle documents are from before 2015 — can I still use i-Kfz? A: No. Older papers lack the concealed security codes the portal verifies, so the process has to run at the counter. - Q: Can I at least deregister online? A: Yes, if you hold a German eID and the documents carry the security codes. Otherwise deregistration takes about 15 minutes at the counter and can be done for you with a Vollmacht. - Q: Is i-Kfz cheaper? A: Marginally. The official fees are in the same €26–37 band; the saving is the trip and the appointment wait, not the money. ### Q: What is an eVB number and how do I get one? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/what-is-evb-number-germany Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Format: 7 alphanumeric characters - Issued by: Any German car insurer - Validity: Typically 6 months - Cost: Free — you pay for the policy - Where used: Zulassungsstelle & i-Kfz - Last updated: July 2026 #### 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. Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Can non-residents get an eVB? A: 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. - Q: How fast is an eVB issued? A: Usually within minutes to a few hours of the policy application being accepted. It is not the bottleneck in a registration. - Q: Is the eVB the same as an insurance policy? A: 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. - Q: Can one eVB be used for two cars? A: No. Each code is tied to one vehicle and one keeper. A second car needs its own confirmation. ### Q: How do I register an imported car in Germany? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/register-imported-car-germany Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - EU import: COC + HU + registration - Non-EU import: COC + customs proof + HU + registration - No COC?: § 21 Vollabnahme (€400–900) - Typical timeline: 10–15 business days - Last updated: July 2026 #### What if the car has no COC? You need a § 21 StVZO individual approval — TÜV or DEKRA physically inspects the car against StVZO standards. Costs €400–900 and takes 1–3 weeks. Common for US, Japanese and UK imports. #### EU import: the short path Deregister the car in the country of origin (or bring its registration document), collect the COC, get a German HU, then register at the Zulassungsstelle. VAT is only an issue for a car that counts as new — under 6 months old or under 6,000 km — in which case German VAT is due in Germany. Everything else is a normal registration with foreign paperwork. #### Non-EU import: customs first The car is cleared through customs before it can be registered: 10 % duty on the car's value plus 19 % import VAT, unless a relocation exemption (Übersiedlungsgut) applies. Customs issue the clearance document the Zulassungsstelle wants to see. Only after that do the technical steps — COC or § 21 approval, then HU — make sense. #### Typical technical modifications for US and UK cars US imports usually need European headlights, a rear fog lamp, an amber-free indicator setup and sometimes a speedometer in km/h. UK right-hand-drive cars need headlight beam adjustment and, depending on the model, a repositioned rear fog lamp. These are the items that decide whether the § 21 inspection passes at the first attempt. #### What it costs with our service The registration itself is our flat €500 setup plus €99 per month billed annually; a car arriving on foreign registration papers that has to be converted to German papers adds €400 once. Customs duty, VAT, the COC and any § 21 inspection are third-party costs and are billed at the actual amount. | Step | EU import | Non-EU import | | --- | --- | --- | | Customs clearance | Not required | Required, 10 % duty + 19 % VAT | | COC | Usually available | Often missing → § 21 approval | | German HU | Required | Required | | Technical changes | Rare | Lights, fog lamp, speedometer | | Typical timeline | 7–10 business days | 10–15 business days or more | | Our surcharge for foreign papers | €400 once | €400 once | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: How long can I drive a foreign-plated car in Germany? A: Up to 12 months for EU/EEA plates if you are not a German resident. Once you meet residency criteria, you have one month to re-register. - Q: Do I pay German VAT on a used car from another EU country? A: No, as long as it is not a "new" vehicle in the tax sense — under 6 months old or under 6,000 km. A genuinely new car is taxed in the country where it is registered, i.e. Germany. - Q: Can I import a car older than 30 years more cheaply? A: Classics can qualify for reduced import duty and, once registered, for H-Kennzeichen with flat-rate vehicle tax. The car has to be largely original and pass a classic-status assessment. - Q: How do I move the car once it is in Germany? A: On export plates from the country of origin, on German short-term plates, or by transporter. Storing it indoors near Berlin at €290 per month while the paperwork runs is the usual option for our clients. ### Q: When do I need a Certificate of Conformity (COC)? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/what-is-coc-certificate-of-conformity Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Who issues it: The vehicle manufacturer - Cost: €50–250 from the maker - Alternative: § 21 StVZO individual approval - Language: Any EU language accepted - Last updated: July 2026 #### How do I request a COC? Contact the manufacturer's national office (BMW, Mercedes, VW etc.) with the VIN and proof of ownership. Most makers deliver within 2–4 weeks. Third-party brokers exist but often just resell the maker's document. #### What is actually written in the COC? The EU type-approval number, VIN, make and model variant, engine and emissions data (including CO₂ and the emission class that drives your KFZ-Steuer), weights, axle loads, dimensions, noise levels and tyre sizes. The Zulassungsstelle copies these values straight into the German Zulassungsbescheinigung, which is why an inaccurate COC creates paperwork problems later. #### When a COC is not enough If the car was modified after leaving the factory — different wheels, suspension, exhaust, tuning — the COC no longer describes it, and the changes need their own Teilegutachten or ABE entered by TÜV or DEKRA. A US or Japanese car built outside EU type approval has no valid COC at all and goes through the § 21 StVZO route. #### COC vs Datenbestätigung vs § 21 Vollabnahme COC: the manufacturer's EU-wide conformity document, the normal path. Datenbestätigung: a maker's data sheet used when the model was type-approved in Germany but the COC is unavailable. § 21 Vollabnahme: a physical individual inspection at €400–900 that produces a German approval where neither of the first two exists. #### How long does it take and what should I budget? Order the COC as early as possible — €50–250 and 2–4 weeks from the maker is normal, and some brands are slower for older models. If you are importing on a deadline, ask the seller whether the COC is already in the car's document folder before you agree the price; a missing one can add three weeks to the timeline. Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Do second-hand EU cars also need a COC? A: For re-registration within Germany, no — the existing Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II is enough. A COC is only needed when the car has never been registered in Germany. - Q: Can I register the car with a copy of the COC? A: Offices normally require the original. Order a duplicate from the manufacturer rather than relying on a scan. - Q: My car is a classic from before EU type approval — what then? A: There is no COC for it. It goes through a § 21 StVZO individual approval, and a vehicle over 30 years old may additionally qualify for H-Kennzeichen classic plates with their flat-rate vehicle tax. - Q: Does the COC have to be in German? A: No. The COC is a standardised EU document and is accepted in any EU language. ### Q: Do I need TÜV (HU) before registering a used car? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/tuv-hu-before-registering-used-car Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Cost: €90–140 - Validity: 2 years (passenger cars) - Providers: TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ, KÜS - Turnaround: Same day - Last updated: July 2026 #### Does a new car need HU? No. New cars are HU-exempt for the first 3 years after Erstzulassung. The next HU is due at year 3, then every 2 years. #### What does the HU actually check? Brakes and brake lines, steering and suspension, tyres and rims, lighting and electrics, body and chassis corrosion, exhaust and emissions (the AU is part of the HU), plus safety equipment. Defects are graded: minor (fix at leisure), significant (fix and re-present within a month), dangerous (the car may not be driven). #### HU on an imported car A foreign inspection certificate is not accepted — an imported car needs a German HU before it gets German plates, and if it has no COC, the § 21 StVZO Vollabnahme replaces and includes that inspection. Budget for headlight adjustment on right-hand-drive cars and for rear fog lamp position on US imports; both are classic import defects. #### How we handle the inspection for owners abroad We take the car to TÜV, DEKRA or GTÜ, send you the report with photos, and quote any required repairs before they are done. If the HU has expired and the car is already deregistered, the trip runs on short-term plates so the car never moves on public roads uninsured. #### What an expired HU costs you Two months or more overdue triggers a deeper inspection and a higher fee; from four months there is a fine and a point in Flensburg, and the Zulassungsstelle will not register the car at all. Buying a used car with a few weeks of HU left is normal — buying one with expired HU means pricing in €90–140 plus unknown repairs. | Vehicle | First HU | Interval | Typical cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | New passenger car | After 3 years | Every 2 years | €90 – €140 | | Used passenger car | On schedule from the sticker | Every 2 years | €90 – €140 | | Motorcycle | After 2 years | Every 2 years | €60 – €90 | | Re-test after defects | Within 1 month | — | 30–50 % of the fee | | § 21 Vollabnahme (no COC) | Before registration | — | €400 – €900 | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: What if the car fails HU? A: You get a defects list and 1 month to fix and re-test — otherwise a full HU is required again. Fees for re-testing are usually 30–50 % of the original. - Q: Is TÜV the same as HU? A: HU is the legal inspection; TÜV is one of the organisations that performs it, alongside DEKRA, GTÜ and KÜS. Any of them issues a valid certificate at a similar price. - Q: Can I register a car with only a few weeks of HU left? A: Yes — the Zulassungsstelle only requires that the HU is currently valid. The next inspection then falls due on the original schedule. - Q: Does a deregistered car need a new HU before it comes back? A: Only if the HU expired in the meantime. A car standing on a valid HU can be re-registered without inspection. ### Q: How do I deregister a car in Germany (Abmeldung)? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/deregister-car-germany-abmeldung Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Cost: €7–17 - Documents: Teil I & Teil II, plates - Online: Yes, via i-Kfz with eID - Turnaround: Same day - Last updated: July 2026 #### Can I deregister a car online? Yes — i-Kfz supports Außerbetriebsetzung online. You need an activated German eID, the security codes hidden under the sticker on the plate and inside Teil I. Non-residents can't use this route and should use a service. #### What exactly happens during the 15-minute appointment? The clerk checks Teil I and Teil II, destroys the plate seals, stamps the plates out and enters the Außerbetriebsetzung in the central register (ZFZR). You leave with a stamped Teil I confirming the date. The Zulassungsstelle notifies the insurer and the Hauptzollamt automatically, so you do not have to cancel the policy or the tax mandate yourself. #### When does deregistration make sense instead of keeping the car registered? Deregister when the car will stand still for more than a few months, when you sell it abroad, or when you export it. Insurance and KFZ-Steuer stop from that date, which typically saves more than the €7–17 fee within the first month. If the car will be back on the road within weeks, keeping it registered avoids paying the re-registration fee twice. #### How do I get the car back on the road afterwards? A deregistered car is re-registered (Wiederzulassung) with the same documents plus a valid HU/TÜV and a fresh eVB number. If the HU expired while the car was off the road, it has to pass inspection before the Zulassungsstelle will issue plates again. #### Deregistration for export If the car leaves Germany permanently, ask for the Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plates) instead of a plain Abmeldung. Export plates carry short-term insurance and let you drive the car legally to its destination country, and the Zulassungsstelle issues the export paperwork the receiving country's authority asks for. Checklist: - Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (Fahrzeugschein) - Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (Fahrzeugbrief) - Both licence plates, including the seals - ID of the person at the counter - Signed Vollmacht if someone deregisters for you - SEPA details for the pro-rata KFZ-Steuer refund | Route | Who can use it | Cost | Time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | At the Zulassungsstelle counter | Keeper or a representative with Vollmacht | €7 – €17 | ≈ 15 minutes | | i-Kfz online portal | Keeper with a German eID and PIN | €7 – €17 | Same day | | Through our service | Clients living abroad | Included in the registration service | ≈ 15 minutes, remote | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: How long can a car stay deregistered? A: Up to 7 years without losing the reservation on the plate combination. After 7 years the plate is reassigned. - Q: Can I deregister a German car from abroad? A: Yes. With a signed Vollmacht and the original Teil I, Teil II and the plates, a service can complete the Abmeldung at the counter for you. The appointment itself takes about 15 minutes; you do not have to travel to Germany. - Q: Do I get vehicle tax back after deregistration? A: Yes. KFZ-Steuer is charged pro rata by the Hauptzollamt. Once the Zulassungsstelle reports the Außerbetriebsetzung, the tax office stops the debit and refunds the unused portion to the SEPA account on file. - Q: What happens to my insurance? A: Cover ends on the deregistration date and the insurer refunds unused premium. Ask for a Ruheversicherung (laid-up cover) instead if the car stays in a locked garage — it keeps limited comprehensive protection while the car is off the road. - Q: Can I still drive the car after Abmeldung? A: No. Once the plates are stamped out, the car may not be used on public roads. To move it you need short-term plates (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) or export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen), or a trailer. ### Q: How do I transfer car ownership in Germany (Umschreibung)? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/transfer-car-ownership-germany-umschreibung Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Fee: €26–37 + plates if district changes - Insurance: New eVB required - Same district?: Old plates can be kept - Turnaround: Same day at the counter - Last updated: July 2026 #### When must I do the Umschreibung? Immediately after purchase. Driving a car whose Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I still names the previous owner is a risk — the insurance follows the keeper on the papers, not the new owner. #### Step by step at the counter The new keeper (or a representative with Vollmacht) presents Teil I, Teil II, the HU report, a fresh eVB number, a SEPA mandate and ID. The office rewrites the keeper entry, issues a new Teil I, stamps Teil II, and either keeps the existing plates or issues new ones. The appointment itself is usually 20–40 minutes. #### What does the seller have to do? Hand over Teil I and Teil II, sign the Kaufvertrag with date, mileage and VIN, and then report the sale to their insurer. A seller who wants certainty asks for a copy of the new Teil I, because their liability for the plates ends only once the keeper change is registered. #### Umschreibung when the buyer lives abroad The new keeper still needs a German address, so a non-resident buyer runs the transfer through a keeper service with a signed Vollmacht — exactly the same structure as a first registration. Ownership stays with the buyer under the Kaufvertrag; only the keeper entry is German. #### Umschreibung vs Ummeldung vs Neuzulassung Umschreibung = the car changes keeper. Ummeldung = the same keeper changes address or district. Neuzulassung = a car that is currently deregistered or never registered in Germany gets plates. The fee band is similar, but the documents differ: only a Neuzulassung may need a COC. | Item | Cost | Who provides it | | --- | --- | --- | | Zulassungsstelle keeper change | €26 – €37 | Paid by the new keeper | | New plates (district change) | €15 – €30 | New keeper | | eVB insurance number | Free with the policy | New keeper's insurer | | HU report | €90 – €140 if expired | Usually the seller | | Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I & II | — | Seller, as originals | | Vollmacht | — | New keeper, if represented | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Can I keep my old plates? A: If the car stays in the same registration district, yes. If it moves to a different district, new plates are issued. - Q: Who pays for the Umschreibung? A: The buyer, as the incoming keeper. The seller only pays if they promised a car "registered and handed over" in the contract. - Q: What if the seller has already deregistered the car? A: Then it is not an Umschreibung but a Wiederzulassung: the car needs valid HU, a fresh eVB and new plates, and it may not be driven to the office on public roads. - Q: Can the transfer be done remotely? A: Yes, with a signed original Vollmacht and the complete document set. Neither buyer nor seller has to attend in person. ### Q: How long does car registration take in Germany? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/how-long-does-car-registration-take-germany Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - At the counter: 15–45 minutes - Appointment wait: 1–6 weeks (city dependent) - Via our service: ≈ 5 business days - Imports: 10–15 business days - Last updated: July 2026 #### What causes delays? Missing documents (especially Teil II and COC), an expired HU, mismatched name/address between ID and insurance, and — for imports — customs paperwork. We pre-check every document before booking the slot to avoid the second trip. #### Day-by-day timeline through our service Day 1: document check and insurance application. Day 1–2: eVB issued, Vollmacht couriered to you. Day 3–4: signed original back with us, Zulassungsstelle slot attended, plates stamped. Day 4–5: Zulassungsbescheinigung and plates couriered. The critical path is almost always the courier leg, not the authority. #### How long does an appointment take to get? In Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne the public booking calendar often runs 3–6 weeks out; in smaller Brandenburg or Bavarian districts slots open within days. Because the keeper's registration district decides which office is competent, working through a district with short queues is one of the few legitimate ways to compress the timeline. #### Which situations take longer than five days? Imports without a COC (§ 21 Vollabnahme adds 1–3 weeks), non-EU imports waiting on customs clearance, cars whose Teil II is held by a bank, and any car that has to pass a fresh HU first. Each of these is visible from the documents on day one, so we quote a realistic date instead of discovering it mid-process. #### How fast is deregistration? About 15 minutes at the counter, handled remotely for our clients and included in the service. Insurance and vehicle tax stop from that date, with the unused tax refunded pro rata. | Scenario | Time to plates | Main bottleneck | | --- | --- | --- | | German used car, papers complete | ≈ 5 business days | Courier of the signed Vollmacht | | New car from a German dealer | ≈ 5 business days | COC from the dealer | | EU import with COC | 7–10 business days | German HU appointment | | Import without COC | 10–15 business days | § 21 Vollabnahme at TÜV/DEKRA | | Non-EU import | 10–15 business days + | Customs clearance | | Deregistration | ≈ 15 minutes | None — remote | Follow-up Q&A: - Q: Can I get same-day service? A: In Berlin/Munich, expedited slots exist for a €50–100 premium. Ask us before booking. - Q: How fast can I start driving? A: The car is legally insured and on the road the moment the plates are sealed at the office. If you are abroad, add the courier time for the papers, or have the car stored indoors near Berlin until you arrive. - Q: Does the €500 setup buy a faster slot? A: No. It covers the keeper structure, insurance mandate, appointment and paperwork. The speed comes from a complete file and from registering in a district with short queues. - Q: What is the fastest possible route? A: A German car with valid HU, Teil II in hand and a signed Vollmacht already couriered: three business days is realistic, and everything shorter depends on the courier, not on us. ### Q: Can a foreigner buy and register a car in Germany? URL: https://germancarregistration.com/answers/foreigner-buy-register-car-germany Last reviewed: July 2026 A: 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. Key facts: - Buying: Open to any nationality - Payment: Bank transfer, SEPA, cash (< €10k) - VAT for exports: 0 % if car leaves EU with correct paperwork - Registration: Requires German-address keeper - Last updated: July 2026 #### Do I need a German bank account? For the purchase, no — any SEPA-capable account works. For KFZ-Steuer, the tax office needs a SEPA-mandate on an EU IBAN; we handle this if you use our service. #### Buying from a dealer vs a private seller A dealer owes you a statutory one-year warranty (Sachmängelhaftung), usually hands over a car with fresh HU, and can invoice with VAT shown — which matters if you reclaim it on export. A private seller sells "gekauft wie gesehen" with no warranty, but prices are lower. For a remote purchase, a dealer is the safer counterparty because the invoice and the handover are documented. #### How the purchase works when you are not in Germany You agree the car and price, receive the Kaufvertrag and the vehicle documents as scans, and pay by SEPA transfer to the seller. We can inspect and collect the car, take it to the Zulassungsstelle, and store it indoors near Berlin at €290 per month if you are not ready to drive it. Never send a deposit before the Kaufvertrag and Teil II have been checked. #### VAT: when it applies and when it does not A used car from a private seller carries no VAT. A dealer's car may be sold under the margin scheme (VAT not shown, not reclaimable) or with VAT shown at 19 %. If the car leaves the EU with correct export documentation, the 19 % can be zero-rated; inside the EU, a new car is taxed in the buyer's country of registration. #### What EU buyers should check before signing That Teil II exists as an original and is not held by a bank, that the HU is valid or priced in, that the VIN on the car matches the papers, and that the mileage is plausible against the HU reports. These four checks catch most of the problems foreign buyers report after the money has moved. Follow-up Q&A: - Q: What if I want to export the car right after buying? A: You skip regular registration and use Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plates) — valid 15 days to 12 months, cheaper insurance, purpose-built for driving the car out of Germany. - Q: Can I buy a car in Germany without a visa or residence permit? A: Yes. Buying is a private contract and is open to any nationality. Only the registration side requires a keeper with a German address. - Q: Can I pay cash? A: Cash is legal, but sums from €10,000 trigger identification duties for the seller and, at the border, a customs declaration. A SEPA transfer is easier to document and safer for a remote purchase. - Q: Do I need a German driving licence? A: No. Registration does not depend on a licence at all, and most non-EU licences may be used in Germany for six months after taking up residence. ## 5. Glossary of German registration terms ### Zulassungsstelle URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/zulassungsstelle Definition: The German vehicle registration office where cars are registered, transferred and deregistered. The Zulassungsstelle is the local government office (Kfz-Zulassungsbehörde) responsible for vehicle registration in Germany. Every district and city has one. It issues the Zulassungsbescheinigung, assigns the licence plate combination, verifies your eVB insurance number and collects the SEPA mandate for KFZ-Steuer. In most cities you need an appointment booked online — waits of 3–6 weeks are common in Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. If you cannot attend in person, a third party can go for you with a signed Vollmacht, which is how remote registration services work. Example: The Zulassungsstelle in Berlin-Charlottenburg registers roughly 300 cars per day and requires appointments booked via the Berlin Service Portal. ### Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/zulassungsbescheinigung-teil-1 Definition: The German vehicle registration certificate carried in the car (formerly Fahrzeugschein). Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (ZB I) is the document you must carry when driving in Germany. It lists the current keeper (Halter), the vehicle's technical data, HU due date and plate. It's the successor to the Fahrzeugschein and was standardised across the EU in 2005. If you sell the car, Teil I goes to the buyer along with Teil II. If lost, apply for a duplicate at the Zulassungsstelle — cost around €12. Example: A police roadside check will ask for Führerschein, Personalausweis and Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I. ### Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/zulassungsbescheinigung-teil-2 Definition: The German vehicle title (formerly Fahrzeugbrief), proving ownership. Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (ZB II) is the German vehicle title — the equivalent of a US pink slip or UK V5C. It proves ownership and stays with the owner, not in the car. You need Teil II to register, sell or deregister the vehicle. Banks keep it as security when they finance the car. Without Teil II the Zulassungsstelle cannot register the car; a duplicate takes 4–8 weeks and costs around €60. Example: When buying a used car, always inspect Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II in person and check that the VIN matches the car. ### eVB-Nummer URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/evb-nummer Definition: A 7-character insurance confirmation code required to register a car in Germany. eVB stands for elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung — an electronic proof of car insurance issued by German insurers. It replaces the paper Deckungskarte and is checked by the Zulassungsstelle in real time. Without a valid eVB, the counter clerk cannot register the car. eVBs are typically valid 6 months and cost nothing until you actually activate the policy by registering the car. Example: AXA, Zurich, HUK and Allianz all issue eVB numbers within minutes after you take out a policy online. ### HU / TÜV URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/hu-tuv Definition: The mandatory German vehicle safety inspection, every two years for passenger cars. HU (Hauptuntersuchung) is Germany's biannual roadworthiness test, commonly called TÜV after the best-known provider. Every passenger car older than 3 years must pass HU every 24 months; motorcycles too. HU costs €90–140 and covers brakes, lights, tyres, emissions and safety-critical components. When passed, a sticker (Prüfplakette) is fixed to the rear plate showing the next due date. A car with an expired HU cannot be registered. Example: A used BMW with HU expiring next month should be re-inspected before registration to avoid a second trip. ### Vollmacht URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/vollmacht Definition: A written power of attorney letting someone else act on your behalf. A Vollmacht is Germany's power of attorney (§§ 164 ff. BGB). For car registration, it lets another person — a dealer, family member or a service like GermanCarRegistration — act at the Zulassungsstelle in your name. The document names both parties, the vehicle (VIN), the scope of authority (Anmeldung, Ummeldung, Abmeldung), a date and a wet signature. It does not need to be notarised for standard registration. Example: When a leasing company registers a car, the customer signs a Vollmacht giving the dealership the authority to book the Zulassungsstelle slot. ### COC (Certificate of Conformity) URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/coc-certificate-of-conformity Definition: The EU manufacturer's certificate proving a car meets EU type approval. The Certificate of Conformity (COC) is issued by the vehicle manufacturer and confirms that the car complies with EU type approval standards. It's required for the first registration of any imported car in Germany. If you don't have one, you can order it from the maker for €50–250, or — for exotic, US or classic cars — apply for a § 21 StVZO Vollabnahme where TÜV or DEKRA physically inspects the car. Example: A UK-market Porsche 911 imported to Germany after Brexit needs either a COC or a § 21 Vollabnahme. ### Anmeldung vs Abmeldung vs Ummeldung URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/anmeldung-abmeldung-ummeldung Definition: The three German registration actions: register, deregister, and re-register a car. Anmeldung is the first-time registration of a vehicle in your (or the keeper's) name — needed for new, imported or previously-deregistered cars. Ummeldung is a change of keeper or address — same car, new registration entry. Abmeldung (Außerbetriebsetzung) removes the car from active registration, stops insurance and tax, and lets you scrap, sell or export. Note: "Anmeldung" also colloquially means residence registration at the Bürgeramt — different process, same word. Example: Moving from Munich to Berlin: the car needs an Ummeldung and — if the district code changes — new plates. ### Wunschkennzeichen URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/wunschkennzeichen Definition: A custom licence plate combination reserved online for around €12.80. Wunschkennzeichen lets you pick your own letters and numbers on a German plate — subject to availability and district rules. You reserve online through the city's Wunschkennzeichen portal, get a reservation code, then present it at the Zulassungsstelle. Reservation fee is €12.80 in most districts, valid 90 days. Forbidden combinations include Nazi-related codes (HH 18, KZ, SS, NS) and other blocked strings. Example: Reserving "B - AK 911" in Berlin costs €12.80 and locks the plate for 90 days. ### Kurzzeitkennzeichen URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/kurzzeitkennzeichen Definition: German short-term plates, valid 5 days, used for HU trips and cross-country moves. Kurzzeitkennzeichen (short-term plates) are yellow-bordered plates valid for 5 days from the printed expiry date. Purpose: driving a car to HU, to a workshop, or transporting it a short distance before proper registration. They require a short-term liability insurance policy (about €40–80) and cost €30–50 at the Zulassungsstelle. Cannot be used for regular daily driving. Example: A dealer might issue Kurzzeitkennzeichen so a customer can drive an unregistered used car to the nearest TÜV. ### Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plates) URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/ausfuhrkennzeichen Definition: Red-numbered German plates for driving a car out of Germany after purchase. Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plates) are used when a car is bought in Germany and driven abroad. Valid from 15 days to 12 months, cost €30–80 at the Zulassungsstelle plus a specific short-term export insurance. The plate shows a red vertical bar with the expiry date. Common for buyers from Switzerland, UK, Norway, the Balkans and North Africa who collect a used German car and drive it home. Example: A Swiss buyer purchasing a used Mercedes in Stuttgart uses Ausfuhrkennzeichen valid 30 days to drive it to Zürich for local registration. ### SEPA-Mandat (KFZ-Steuer) URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/sepa-mandat-kfz-steuer Definition: The direct-debit authorisation for German vehicle tax, mandatory at registration. German KFZ-Steuer (vehicle tax) is collected annually by the Hauptzollamt (federal customs), not by the Zulassungsstelle. Since 2015 payment is only by SEPA direct debit — you must supply a signed SEPA-Mandat with an EU/EEA IBAN at registration. The tax is calculated from engine displacement and CO₂ emissions; typical passenger cars pay €80–350 a year. Example: A 2020 VW Golf 2.0 TDI pays about €200/year in KFZ-Steuer, debited annually on the registration anniversary. ### Wohnsitz URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/wohnsitz Definition: A German domicile — a dwelling that is available to you and kept in a way that indicates you intend to retain it. Wohnsitz is the German legal concept of domicile or habitual dwelling. Under German tax and civil law, you have a Wohnsitz when you maintain a dwelling that is at your disposal and that you use or keep in a way suggesting you will continue to use it. A hotel room, a short-term Airbnb, or a mailbox does not create a Wohnsitz. A rented apartment or owned property that you treat as your home does. Having a Wohnsitz in Germany is one of the two statutory triggers for unlimited German tax liability (the other being a habitual abode). Importantly, registering a car in Germany or being named as a vehicle's Halter does not, by itself, create a Wohnsitz. Example: A Monaco resident who keeps a car registered in Germany but never rents or owns a dwelling there does not have a German Wohnsitz and therefore is not a German tax resident. ### Halter URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/halter Definition: The registered keeper of a vehicle in Germany — the person or company responsible for it, which need not be the legal owner. The Halter is whoever is entered in the Zulassungsbescheinigung as the party responsible for the vehicle: paying KFZ-Steuer, holding insurance, keeping the car roadworthy and answering for offences committed with it. German law (§6 FZV) deliberately separates this role from the Eigentümer, the legal owner under the purchase contract. That separation is why a non-resident can own a car in Germany while a German company is the registered keeper, and why the ownership of the vehicle is unaffected by whose name is on the registration document. In practice the Halter receives all official correspondence, so a keeper without a German address needs an Empfangsbevollmächtigter (authorised recipient) under §75 FZV. Example: In Model A the service company is the Halter while the client remains the Eigentümer through a signed purchase contract. ### Umweltplakette URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/umweltplakette Definition: The green environmental sticker required to drive into most German city Umweltzonen. The Umweltplakette (Feinstaubplakette) is a coloured sticker on the windscreen showing the car's emissions class. Only the green (Grüne Plakette) sticker allows entry into Umweltzonen in cities like Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. It costs €5–10 at the Zulassungsstelle, TÜV or DEKRA. Diesel cars may additionally need to meet local diesel bans (Euro 5/6 restrictions apply in some cities). Example: Driving a 2022 Audi A4 diesel in Stuttgart requires the green Umweltplakette plus Euro 6 emissions compliance. ### HU (Hauptuntersuchung) URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/hu Definition: The mandatory German roadworthiness inspection, commonly called TÜV, due every two years for passenger cars. HU stands for Hauptuntersuchung, Germany's periodic roadworthiness test. Every passenger car must pass HU every 24 months once it is older than three years. The inspection covers brakes, lights, tyres, emissions and safety-critical components. TÜV and DEKRA are the best-known inspection bodies, which is why many people simply call it 'the TÜV'. A valid HU sticker on the rear plate is required for registration, and driving with an expired HU can invalidate insurance and lead to fines. Non-resident owners can arrange HU through a service while the car is stored in Germany. Example: A Porsche 911 due for HU can be inspected in Germany even if the owner is in Dubai at the time. ### Ruheversicherung URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/ruheversicherung Definition: The free dormant-insurance cover that automatically protects a German-registered car while it is deregistered or off the road. Ruheversicherung is the dormant ("resting") insurance cover that a German motor insurer grants automatically when a registered vehicle is temporarily taken out of service in German vehicle registration. It keeps the car protected while it is not being driven. When you deregister a car (Außerbetriebsetzung) or lay it up over winter, most German comprehensive policies switch into Ruheversicherung at no extra premium, provided the interruption lasts at least a full month and the car is kept on private, enclosed ground — a garage or a locked hall, not a public street. Cover in the dormant phase is limited but meaningful: fire, theft, storm, hail, rodent damage and glass breakage generally remain insured under the Teilkasko portion, while liability and collision cover lapse because the car may not be driven. Ruheversicherung typically runs for up to 18 months; after that the insurer usually cancels the contract. Two practical consequences matter for non-resident owners. First, the no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) is preserved during the dormant phase, so you do not lose years of discount. Second, if the car is stored in an enclosed indoor facility, the conditions for Ruheversicherung are usually satisfied automatically — one reason indoor storage is cheaper in total than a cheap outdoor space. Example: A Porsche laid up from November to March in an enclosed hall stays covered against fire and theft under Ruheversicherung without paying a further premium. ### Saisonkennzeichen URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/saisonkennzeichen Definition: A German seasonal licence plate that is valid only during the months printed on it, with tax and insurance charged pro rata. A Saisonkennzeichen is a German seasonal licence plate valid only within a fixed block of months printed vertically on the plate itself in German vehicle registration. It lets an owner register a car for part of the year and pay only for that part. The season is chosen at registration and can run from two to eleven consecutive months — for example 04/10 for April to October. Inside the season the car is fully registered and may be driven normally. Outside it, the vehicle may not be used on public roads at all, not even to drive to a workshop; it must be kept on private ground, and during that period KFZ-Steuer and insurance premium are not charged. Both are billed pro rata for the season length only, which is the main financial reason people choose it: a convertible or motorcycle used six months a year costs roughly half the annual tax and premium of a year-round registration. The season cannot be changed mid-year; changing it requires a new registration action at the Zulassungsstelle. Outside the season the car normally falls under dormant cover (Ruheversicherung) if it is stored on enclosed private ground. Example: A motorcycle on a 03/10 Saisonkennzeichen may be ridden from 1 March to 31 October and must stay on private ground for the remaining four months. ### H-Kennzeichen URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/h-kennzeichen Definition: The German historic-vehicle plate for cars at least 30 years old, carrying a flat annual tax rate. An H-Kennzeichen is the German historic-vehicle licence plate, marked with a trailing "H", granted to vehicles at least 30 years old in German vehicle registration. It replaces the normal tax calculation with a flat annual rate. To qualify, the car must be largely in its original condition, well preserved, and pass a separate historic-vehicle assessment under § 23 StVZO carried out by TÜV, DEKRA or a comparable body. Age alone is not sufficient: heavy modification, non-period parts or poor condition can all cause a refusal. The benefits are concrete. KFZ-Steuer is a flat €191.73 a year for cars and €46.02 for motorcycles regardless of engine size or emissions, classic-car insurance is usually far cheaper than a standard policy, and an H-Kennzeichen vehicle may enter environmental zones (Umweltzonen) without a green Umweltplakette. The trade-off is that a historic plate is intended for hobby use and collectors' purposes rather than daily commuting, and insurers price their classic policies on limited annual mileage plus a second everyday car in the household. Example: A 1994 Mercedes 500 E in original condition can qualify for an H-Kennzeichen and pay the flat €191.73 annual tax instead of a displacement-based rate. ### Schadenfreiheitsklasse (SF-Klasse) URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/schadenfreiheitsklasse Definition: The German no-claims class that determines how much of the base insurance premium an owner actually pays. The Schadenfreiheitsklasse, usually shortened to SF-Klasse, is the German no-claims class that records how many consecutive claim-free years a driver has accumulated in German vehicle registration and insurance. It sets the percentage of the base premium the owner actually pays. Each claim-free year moves the policy up one class — SF 1 after a first year, SF 2 after two, and so on up to SF 35 — and each class carries a Schadenfreiheitsrabatt, a discount factor. A driver in SF 25 might pay around 25 % of the base rate, while a new driver in SF 0 pays well over 100 %. An at-fault claim causes a Rückstufung, dropping the policy several classes at once, and the higher premium then persists for years. Two points matter for international owners. Foreign no-claims history is sometimes recognised, but only at the insurer's discretion and usually with written proof from the previous insurer. And an SF class belongs to a person and a vehicle combination, not to the car alone — when a company such as a keeper-service UG is the policyholder, the class attaches to that company's fleet policy rather than to the client. Example: Moving from SF 10 to SF 11 might cut the premium factor from 34 % to 32 %; one at-fault claim can reset it to SF 4. ### Regionalklasse URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/regionalklasse Definition: The German insurance region rating derived from the claims record of the district where the car is registered. The Regionalklasse is the regional rating factor German motor insurers apply based on the claims history of the registration district in German vehicle registration. It reflects where the car is registered, not where it is driven. The GDV, the German insurance association, publishes updated Regionalklassen every year, one set for liability cover and separate sets for Teilkasko and Vollkasko. Each of the roughly 400 registration districts is graded on how much its registered vehicles cost insurers in claims: dense urban districts with frequent collisions and theft rate worse than quiet rural ones. Liability classes run from 1 to 12, Teilkasko from 1 to 16 and Vollkasko from 1 to 9, and moving between districts can change a premium by a double-digit percentage without anything else about the driver or the car changing. This is the reason the registering district matters financially: a car registered in a rural Brandenburg district commonly falls into a cheaper Regionalklasse than the same car registered in central Berlin, Hamburg or Munich. The classification is set annually and applies automatically at renewal. Example: The same insured car can cost noticeably more per year in a large-city district than in a rural district purely because of its Regionalklasse. ### Typklasse URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/typklasse Definition: The German insurance rating class assigned to a specific vehicle model based on its claims and repair-cost record. The Typklasse is the vehicle-type rating class German insurers use to price a policy for one specific model variant in German vehicle registration and insurance. It reflects how expensive that model has been to insure. Every HSN/TSN combination — the manufacturer and type key printed in the Zulassungsbescheinigung — is graded annually by the GDV using the real claims and repair costs recorded for that model. Liability Typklassen run from 10 to 25, Teilkasko from 10 to 33 and Vollkasko from 10 to 34, with a higher number meaning a higher premium. Powerful sports cars, models with expensive body panels or driver-assistance sensors, and vehicles with a poor theft record land high; slow, cheap-to-repair models land low. Because the classification follows the model rather than the owner, it cannot be improved by driving carefully; it changes only when the GDV revises the table, usually each summer with effect from the next renewal. For an owner comparing two cars, the Typklasse difference is often larger than any discount a broker can negotiate. Example: Two cars of similar list price can differ by several hundred euros a year in premium simply because their Typklassen differ. ### Halterhaftung URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/halterhaftung Definition: The German legal liability that attaches to the registered keeper of a vehicle rather than to whoever was driving. Halterhaftung is the German legal principle that certain duties and liabilities attach to the registered keeper (Halter) of a vehicle rather than to the driver in German vehicle registration. It makes the keeper answerable for the car itself. Under § 7 StVG the keeper carries strict liability for damage caused by the operation of the vehicle, which is why liability insurance is compulsory and is issued in the keeper's name. The keeper is also the addressee for the vehicle's obligations: the KFZ-Steuer assessment, the duty to keep the car roadworthy and HU-current, and the Halterhaftung for parking penalties, tolls and similar charges where no driver can be identified. Moving-traffic offences work differently — the fine and any points in Flensburg follow the identified driver, and the authority will write to the keeper first only to ask who was driving. In a keeper-service arrangement, the practical consequence is that these notices arrive at the keeper company, which then forwards them and recovers the amounts from the client under the service contract. That contractual allocation does not change the statutory position toward the authorities: to them, the Halter remains the responsible party. Example: A parking penalty from a city where the driver cannot be identified is addressed to the registered keeper under Halterhaftung. ### Empfangsbevollmächtigter URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/empfangsbevollmaechtigter Definition: A person or company in Germany authorised to receive official post on behalf of someone living abroad. An Empfangsbevollmächtigter is a party inside Germany authorised to receive official correspondence on behalf of someone resident abroad in German vehicle registration matters. It gives the authorities a domestic address that legally counts as reaching you. German administrative practice needs to be able to serve documents — tax assessments, penalty notices, HU reminders, correspondence from the Zulassungsstelle — at an address within Germany. A person living outside the country cannot normally satisfy that requirement, so the Zulassungsstelle may require an Empfangsbevollmächtigter to be named before registering a vehicle to a non-resident. Service on that address is legally effective service on the owner, and deadlines start running from delivery there, not from the day the post is forwarded abroad. The appointment is made in writing and can be revoked. This role should not be confused with a Vollmacht for a single registration errand, which authorises one specific act at the counter, nor with residence registration: an Empfangsbevollmächtigter does not create a German residence, a tax residence or any right to live in Germany. It only fixes where official letters may lawfully be delivered. Example: A non-resident owner names a German service company as Empfangsbevollmächtigter so the Hauptzollamt can serve the annual tax assessment. ### Standschaden URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/standschaden Definition: Damage that develops in a vehicle because it stands unused for an extended period rather than from being driven. A Standschaden is damage that develops in a vehicle precisely because it stands unused for a long period in German vehicle and storage practice. It is caused by not driving, not by driving. The mechanisms are well documented: tyres take a flat spot and the rubber ages, brake discs corrode where the pads rest against them, the battery discharges and sulphates, fuel ages and can separate, oil drains away from bearing surfaces and leaves them unprotected, rubber seals dry out, and condensation inside the exhaust, engine and cabin encourages corrosion and mould. Rodents are a second category of Standschaden, chewing wiring looms and insulation in cars parked in barns or open sheds. Insurance treatment matters here: Standschaden is generally regarded as wear and consequential damage rather than a sudden insured event, so a normal comprehensive policy will often not pay for it, whereas rodent damage is frequently covered under Teilkasko. The practical defence is a controlled indoor environment with a battery maintainer, correct tyre pressure, periodic movement and fluid checks — which is what a managed storage service exists to provide. Example: A car left standing for six months typically returns with flat-spotted tyres, surface-corroded brake discs and a discharged battery — all classic Standschaden. ### Rekommissionierung URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/rekommissionierung Definition: The structured process of returning a stored vehicle to road-ready condition before it is used again. Rekommissionierung is the structured recommissioning process that returns a laid-up vehicle to road-ready condition in German vehicle storage practice. It is the counterpart to putting a car into storage. A proper recommissioning is a checklist, not a jump start: battery tested and charged or replaced, tyre pressures reset and tyres inspected for flat spots and age cracking, brake discs and pads checked for standing corrosion, fluid levels and condition verified, fuel assessed, belts and hoses inspected, the underbody checked for rodent damage, lights and electronics function-tested, and the car then driven a short distance to bring the brakes and drivetrain back to temperature. If the HU has lapsed during the lay-up, the inspection has to be re-passed before the car is used on public roads, and if the registration was suspended, it has to be reinstated at the Zulassungsstelle. For a seasonal or long-stored vehicle, budgeting for recommissioning is part of the true cost of storage: the monthly rate for a cheap outdoor space rarely includes any of it, while managed indoor storage usually does. Example: Bringing a car out of a five-month winter lay-up involves a full Rekommissionierung before the first drive, not simply turning the key. ### Wertgutachten URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/wertgutachten Definition: An independent written vehicle valuation used for insurance, customs, sale or dispute purposes in Germany. A Wertgutachten is an independent written vehicle valuation prepared by a qualified appraiser in German vehicle registration and insurance practice. It establishes a defensible figure for what a specific car is worth. The appraiser — typically from TÜV, DEKRA, or a certified Kfz-Sachverständiger — inspects the car, documents condition, mileage, equipment, history and originality, and states a value: Marktwert (market value), Wiederbeschaffungswert (replacement value) or, for classics, a condition-graded valuation on the 1-to-5 scale. Wertgutachten are needed in several situations that matter to international owners: agreeing a sum insured for a classic or high-value car so that a total loss is settled at the real figure rather than a book value, supporting a customs declaration on import, substantiating a claim after damage, and documenting value in an estate, divorce or partnership dispute. Costs vary with the depth of the report, and a short Kurzgutachten is cheaper than a full report. The document has no official registration function — the Zulassungsstelle does not require it — but insurers and authorities treat a proper appraisal as far stronger evidence than a listing price. Example: A collector insuring an imported classic supplies a Wertgutachten so the policy pays the appraised value rather than a generic book figure. ### Differenzbesteuerung URL: https://germancarregistration.com/glossary/differenzbesteuerung Definition: The German VAT margin scheme under which tax is charged only on a dealer's profit margin, not the full sale price. Differenzbesteuerung is the German VAT margin scheme under § 25a UStG, applied to many used-car sales in German vehicle trade. Under it, VAT is calculated only on the dealer's margin rather than on the full selling price. It applies when a dealer buys a used vehicle from a private individual or another margin-scheme seller — someone who could not charge VAT — and then resells it. The dealer pays 19 % on the difference between purchase and sale price and shows no VAT separately on the invoice; the invoice instead carries a note referring to the margin scheme. The consequence for the buyer is important and frequently misunderstood: because no VAT is shown, a business buyer cannot reclaim input tax on the purchase, and cross-border buyers cannot apply the usual intra-EU zero-rating. The opposite case is a Regelbesteuerung invoice, which shows the VAT amount separately and is what a VAT-registered buyer or an exporter usually wants. Before buying a used car in Germany for export or for business use, check which of the two applies — it can change the effective cost of the same car by a double-digit percentage. Example: A used car sold under Differenzbesteuerung shows no separate VAT line, so a business buyer cannot reclaim input tax on it. ## 6. Country-specific guidance - United States: Yes — as a US resident you can own and drive a German-registered car without living in Germany. Both Model A (company-keeper) and Model B (own-name) available. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/usa - United Kingdom: Register a German car as a UK resident post-Brexit — Model A (company-keeper, ~5 days) or Model B (own-name, apostilled passport + POA). Legal under FZV. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/uk - United Arab Emirates: Own a German-registered car as a UAE resident. Model A (Brandenburg UG as keeper) or Model B (own-name using apostilled passport). Storage in Bernau near BER. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/uae - France: French residents can register a car in Germany — Model A (~5 days) or Model B (own-name). Full EU Green Card coverage. Storage available near BER. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/france - Netherlands: Dutch residents: register a car in Germany via Model A or Model B — a lawful EU alternative to RDW import and BPM. AXA/Zurich insurance. Storage in Bernau. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/netherlands - Belgium: Belgian residents can register a car in Germany — Model A (~5 days) or Model B (own-name). Storage near Berlin. AXA/Zurich insurance partners. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/belgium - Denmark: Danish residents can register a car in Germany — Model A (~5 days) or Model B (own-name). A lawful EU alternative to Danish registreringsafgift. Storage near Berlin. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/denmark - Israel: Israeli residents can register a car in Germany through Model A (company-keeper) or Model B (own-name). Storage available. AXA/Zurich insurance partners. — https://germancarregistration.com/for/israel ## 7. City registration offices (Zulassungsstellen) - Berlin (Berlin) — plate code B, office: Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO), Kfz-Zulassung — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/berlin - Hamburg (Hamburg) — plate code HH, office: Landesbetrieb Verkehr Hamburg (LBV) — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/hamburg - München (Bayern) — plate code M, office: Kreisverwaltungsreferat München, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/muenchen - Köln (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code K, office: Stadt Köln, Kfz-Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/koeln - Frankfurt am Main (Hessen) — plate code F, office: Straßenverkehrsamt Frankfurt am Main — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/frankfurt - Stuttgart (Baden-Württemberg) — plate code S, office: Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/stuttgart - Düsseldorf (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code D, office: Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, Straßenverkehrsamt — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/duesseldorf - Leipzig (Sachsen) — plate code L, office: Stadt Leipzig, Kfz-Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/leipzig - Dortmund (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code DO, office: Stadt Dortmund, Straßenverkehrsamt — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/dortmund - Essen (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code E, office: Stadt Essen, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/essen - Bremen (Bremen) — plate code HB, office: Stadtamt Bremen, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/bremen - Dresden (Sachsen) — plate code DD, office: Landeshauptstadt Dresden, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/dresden - Hannover (Niedersachsen) — plate code H, office: Region Hannover, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/hannover - Nürnberg (Bayern) — plate code N, office: Stadt Nürnberg, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/nuernberg - Duisburg (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code DU, office: Stadt Duisburg, Straßenverkehrsamt — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/duisburg - Bochum (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code BO, office: Stadt Bochum, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/bochum - Wuppertal (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code W, office: Stadt Wuppertal, Straßenverkehrsamt — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/wuppertal - Bielefeld (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code BI, office: Stadt Bielefeld, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/bielefeld - Bonn (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code BN, office: Bundesstadt Bonn, Straßenverkehrsamt — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/bonn - Münster (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code MS, office: Stadt Münster, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/muenster - Karlsruhe (Baden-Württemberg) — plate code KA, office: Stadt Karlsruhe, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/karlsruhe - Mannheim (Baden-Württemberg) — plate code MA, office: Stadt Mannheim, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/mannheim - Augsburg (Bayern) — plate code A, office: Stadt Augsburg, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/augsburg - Wiesbaden (Hessen) — plate code WI, office: Landeshauptstadt Wiesbaden, Straßenverkehrsamt — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/wiesbaden - Mönchengladbach (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code MG, office: Stadt Mönchengladbach, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/moenchengladbach - Gelsenkirchen (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code GE, office: Stadt Gelsenkirchen, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/gelsenkirchen - Braunschweig (Niedersachsen) — plate code BS, office: Stadt Braunschweig, Zulassungsstelle — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/braunschweig - Kiel (Schleswig-Holstein) — plate code KI, office: Landeshauptstadt Kiel, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/kiel - Aachen (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — plate code AC, office: StädteRegion Aachen, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/aachen - Chemnitz (Sachsen) — plate code C, office: Stadt Chemnitz, Zulassungsbehörde — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/chemnitz - Berlin-Lichtenberg (Berlin) — plate code B, office: Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO), Kfz-Zulassung Standort Lichtenberg — https://germancarregistration.com/zulassung/berlin-lichtenberg ## 8. Vehicles and audiences served - Porsche 911 GT3: The purest expression of Porsche motorsport, registered in Germany — without a German address. — https://germancarregistration.com/porsche-gt3-germany-registration - Porsche 911 Turbo S: All-weather hypercar performance, registered remotely under our Brandenburg UG. — https://germancarregistration.com/porsche-911-turbo-registration - Ferrari: From 296 GTB to SF90 — Ferrari registration handled remotely, with Ferrari-approved insurance. — https://germancarregistration.com/ferrari-registration-germany - Lamborghini: Huracán, Urus, Revuelto — registered under our Brandenburg UG, plates to your dealer in days. — https://germancarregistration.com/lamborghini-germany-plates - Mercedes G-Klasse: G63, G500, G-Wagen 4×4² — the most-requested German SUV for international clients. — https://germancarregistration.com/mercedes-g-class-registration - Rolls-Royce: Ghost, Cullinan, Spectre, Phantom — white-glove registration under our Elite tier. — https://germancarregistration.com/rolls-royce-registration-germany - Bentley: Continental GT, Flying Spur, Bentayga — registered under our Brandenburg UG with Mulliner support. — https://germancarregistration.com/bentley-registration-germany - BMW M Series: M3, M4, M5 Competition, XM, M8 — registered fast under our Standard tier. — https://germancarregistration.com/bmw-m-series-registration-germany - Motorhome / Camper: Hymer, Knaus, Concorde, Morelo — register your German-built motorhome remotely. — https://germancarregistration.com/motorhome-registration-germany - Porsche Cayenne: Cayenne S, Turbo GT, E-Hybrid — SUV performance registered under Model A or Model B. — https://germancarregistration.com/porsche-cayenne-registration-germany - Audi RS: RS3, RS4, RS6, RS7, RSQ8 — quattro performance registered fast under our Brandenburg UG. — https://germancarregistration.com/audi-rs-registration-germany - Mercedes-AMG GT: AMG GT Coupé, GT 4-Door, GT Black Series — Affalterbach performance under Model A or B. — https://germancarregistration.com/mercedes-amg-gt-registration-germany - Land Rover Defender: Defender 90, 110, 130, Octa — expedition-ready registration in Germany with Model A or B. — https://germancarregistration.com/land-rover-defender-registration-germany - Classic / Oldtimer (H-Kennzeichen): 30+ year-old classics registered with German H-Kennzeichen — Model A or B, reduced tax, historic status. — https://germancarregistration.com/oldtimer-h-kennzeichen-registration-germany - UK Residents: UK Residents — https://germancarregistration.com/german-car-registration-uk-residents - Non-EU Residents: Non-EU Residents — https://germancarregistration.com/non-eu-resident-car-germany - Digital Nomads: Digital Nomads — https://germancarregistration.com/digital-nomad-car-registration-germany - Americans Buying in Germany: Americans — https://germancarregistration.com/american-buying-car-germany - Collectors with Multiple Cars: Collectors — https://germancarregistration.com/car-collector-germany-registration - Nederlandse Kopers (NL Residents): Nederlanders — https://germancarregistration.com/auto-registreren-duitsland-nederlanders Locations served: - Munich: BMW Welt, Porsche Zentrum München, Lamborghini München — we collect from all major Munich dealers. — https://germancarregistration.com/car-registration-munich - Stuttgart: Home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. We serve every dealer between Zuffenhausen and Sindelfingen. — https://germancarregistration.com/car-registration-stuttgart - Hamburg: Northern Germany's luxury hub. Direct partnerships with Hamburg's leading sports-car dealers. — https://germancarregistration.com/car-registration-hamburg - Frankfurt: International airport access, financial capital — ideal for Middle East and US clients. — https://germancarregistration.com/car-registration-frankfurt - Düsseldorf: Düsseldorf's high-density luxury dealer scene, with strong UK & NL client base. — https://germancarregistration.com/car-registration-dusseldorf ## 9. In-depth guides - Can You Register a Car in Germany Without a German Address? The 2026 Guide for Non-Residents: German car registration without residency explained for 2026: §75 FZV, the Empfangsbevollmächtigter, required documents, EU vs non-EU imports and cross-border use. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/register-car-germany-without-german-address - Register a German-Bought Car in France, Italy, Spain or NL (2026): Bought a car in Germany? Compare re-registering at home (quitus fiscal, IVA, RDW, malus) against keeping German plates — documents, timelines and costs for both routes. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/register-german-car-in-eu-home-country - Can a Non-EU Resident Register a Car in Germany? (2026): Yes — but not at the counter with a foreign passport. §6 and §75 FZV explained, the DIY workarounds that fail, the documents you need, and the two lawful keeper models. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/non-eu-resident-register-car-germany-2025 - German Car Registration for UK Residents After Brexit: After Brexit, UK residents can no longer register cars in Germany the old way. Here's what changed, what still works, and how UK buyers legally keep German-plated cars in 2026. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/uk-residents-brexit-german-registration - How Long Does Car Registration Take in Germany? Honest 2026 Timelines: Real timelines for registering a car in Germany — new, used, classic, motorhome, dealer vs private, city vs Brandenburg. The numbers dealers won't quote you. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/how-long-german-registration-takes - AXA vs Zurich: Which German Car Insurance Wins for Foreign Owners?: Placing insurance for non-resident car owners in Germany is a two-horse race. Here's a side-by-side of AXA and Zurich on premium, claims, supercar appetite, and named-driver rules. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/axa-vs-zurich-foreign-car-owners - Digital Nomad Guide: Owning a Car in Europe Legally: Most nomads end up illegal on the road within 12 months. Here's why, and the keeper-based German registration model that finally solves cross-border car ownership for location-independent drivers. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/digital-nomad-car-europe-legally - TÜV Explained: What Foreign Buyers of German Cars Need to Know: TÜV, HU, AU, §21, §29 — the German inspection alphabet, decoded for international buyers. What each test actually checks, what it costs, and how to plan around it. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/tuv-explained-foreign-buyers - Auto in Deutschland anmelden ohne Wohnsitz — der Leitfaden 2026: Ja — auch ohne deutschen Wohnsitz können Sie ein Auto in Deutschland anmelden. Das rechtliche Rahmenwerk, was in der Praxis scheitert und das Halter-Modell, das für Nicht-Residenten wirklich funktioniert. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/auto-anmelden-ohne-wohnsitz-deutschland - Kfz-Zulassung für UK-Residenten nach dem Brexit: Nach dem Brexit können UK-Residenten deutsche Fahrzeuge nicht mehr wie früher zulassen. Was sich geändert hat, was noch funktioniert und wie UK-Käufer 2026 legal deutsche Kennzeichen fahren. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/kfz-zulassung-uk-brexit-anleitung - Wie lange dauert die Kfz-Zulassung in Deutschland? Ehrliche Zeiten 2026: Reale Zeiten für die Kfz-Zulassung in Deutschland — Neuwagen, Gebrauchte, Oldtimer, Wohnmobil, Händler vs. privat. Die Zahlen, die Ihnen kein Händler nennt. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/wie-lange-dauert-kfz-zulassung-deutschland - AXA vs. Zurich: Welche Kfz-Versicherung gewinnt für Halter im Ausland?: Für Halter mit ausländischen Fahrern läuft der Markt auf zwei Anbieter zusammen. Ein ehrlicher Vergleich zwischen AXA und Zurich zu Prämie, Schadenregulierung, Supercar-Appetit und Fahrer-Regeln. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/axa-vs-zurich-kfz-versicherung-vergleich - Digitale Nomaden: Auto in Europa legal besitzen: Die meisten Nomaden fahren nach 12 Monaten illegal. Warum das so ist — und wie das Halter-basierte deutsche Zulassungsmodell länderübergreifendes Autofahren wirklich löst. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/digitale-nomaden-auto-europa-legal - TÜV erklärt: Was ausländische Käufer deutscher Autos wissen müssen: TÜV, HU, AU, §21, §29 — das deutsche Prüf-Alphabet, entschlüsselt für internationale Käufer. Was jede Prüfung wirklich prüft, was sie kostet und wie man um sie herum plant. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/tuev-erklaert-auslaendische-kaeufer - Immatriculer une voiture en Allemagne sans résidence allemande (guide 2026): Plaques allemandes sans domicile en Allemagne : base légale (§75 FZV), rôle de l'Empfangsbevollmächtigter, documents requis, délais et coûts réels en 2026. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/immatriculer-voiture-allemagne-sans-residence - Acheter une voiture en Allemagne depuis la France : la procédure complète 2026: Achat, paiement, transport, TVA, contrôle technique et immatriculation : le déroulé complet pour un acheteur français sur le marché automobile allemand en 2026. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/acheter-voiture-en-allemagne-depuis-la-france - Malus écologique : ce que change une immatriculation allemande (2026): Comment fonctionne le malus français, pourquoi il ne s'applique pas à un véhicule immatriculé en Allemagne, et quelles conditions doivent être réunies pour rester en règle. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/eviter-malus-ecologique-immatriculation-allemande - Combien coûte une immatriculation allemande en 2026 ? Tous les postes détaillés: Frais de service, taxe allemande, assurance, contrôle technique et gardiennage : le coût réel d'une immatriculation allemande pour un non-résident, poste par poste. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/cout-immatriculation-allemande-2026 - Gardiennage de voiture en Allemagne près de Berlin : 290 €/mois, ce que cela comprend: Stockage intérieur sécurisé près de Berlin à 290 €/mois : conditions, durée minimale, accès, combinaison avec l'immatriculation allemande et cas d'usage typiques. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/gardiennage-voiture-allemagne-pres-de-berlin - Combien de temps prend une immatriculation allemande ? Délais réalistes 2026: Délais réels d'une immatriculation allemande en 2026 : préparation du dossier, rendez-vous en Zulassungsstelle, plaques, carte grise, et ce qui fait vraiment perdre du temps. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/delai-immatriculation-allemande - Le TÜV expliqué : contrôle technique allemand pour acheteurs étrangers (2026): HU, AU, TÜV : ce que contrôle réellement le contrôle technique allemand, ce que signifie la vignette, et comment l'intégrer à une immatriculation depuis l'étranger. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/controle-technique-tuv-allemagne - Assurance auto allemande pour propriétaires étrangers : comment ça marche (2026): eVB, responsabilité civile obligatoire, Teilkasko et Vollkasko : ce qu'un propriétaire étranger doit comprendre avant d'immatriculer un véhicule en Allemagne. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/assurance-auto-allemande-proprietaires-etrangers - Réimmatriculer une voiture allemande en France, Belgique, Italie ou Espagne (2026): Papiers allemands, COC, quitus fiscal, homologation : la procédure pour réimmatriculer dans votre pays un véhicule acheté en Allemagne, et quand garder les plaques allemandes. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/reimmatriculer-voiture-allemande-dans-son-pays - Immatriculer une voiture en Allemagne quand on réside hors UE (2026): Résidents hors UE : base légale, mandataire allemand, douane, conformité technique et documents requis pour obtenir des plaques allemandes en 2026. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/immatriculation-allemagne-residents-hors-ue - Owning a Car in Europe Without EU Residency: What Actually Works: Can non-EU residents legally own and register a car in Europe? Yes — but only via specific national routes. Here's the honest map for 2026, country by country. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/own-car-europe-without-eu-residency - Rent vs. Buy in Germany: The Real Cost Comparison: Long-term rental sounds simple until you do the maths. Here's the honest side-by-side — with real numbers — of renting a car in Germany vs owning one through a keeper service. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/rent-vs-buy-car-germany - How Car Auctions in Germany Work (Autobid & Co.) — Buying as a Non-Resident: Autobid, BCA, Auto1 — Germany's B2B auction platforms move 200,000+ cars a year at prices retail buyers rarely see. Here's how a non-resident actually accesses them. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/car-auctions-germany-non-resident - Motorhome & RV Registration in Germany for Non-EU Travelers: Registering a German-built motorhome (Hymer, Knaus, Concorde, Morelo) as a non-EU traveler — full walkthrough, weight-class rules, insurance and cross-border driving. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/motorhome-registration-germany-non-eu - Auto in Europa besitzen ohne EU-Wohnsitz: Was wirklich funktioniert: Können Nicht-EU-Bürger in Europa legal ein Auto besitzen und zulassen? Ja — aber nur über bestimmte nationale Wege. Der ehrliche Länder-Überblick für 2026. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/auto-europa-ohne-eu-wohnsitz - Mieten vs. Kaufen in Deutschland: Der ehrliche Kostenvergleich: Langzeitmiete klingt einfach, bis man rechnet. Der ehrliche Vergleich mit echten Zahlen — Miete vs. Kauf über eine Halterschaft in Deutschland. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/mieten-vs-kaufen-auto-deutschland - Autoauktionen in Deutschland (Autobid & Co.) — als Nicht-Resident kaufen: Autobid, BCA, Auto1 — Deutschlands B2B-Auktionsplattformen bewegen 200.000+ Autos jährlich zu Preisen, die Endkunden selten sehen. So kommen Nicht-Residenten dran. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/auto-auktionen-deutschland-nicht-resident - Wohnmobil- & Reisemobilzulassung in Deutschland für Nicht-EU-Reisende: Deutsches Wohnmobil (Hymer, Knaus, Concorde, Morelo) als Nicht-EU-Reisender zulassen — Gewichtsklassen, Versicherung, Stellplatz, Grenzübertritt. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/wohnmobil-zulassung-deutschland-nicht-eu - Car Registration in Europe Made Easy for Foreigners: How foreigners register a car in Europe without local residency: why standard EU registration blocks you, how the German route under §75 FZV works, what it costs and how long it takes. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/car-registration-europe-for-foreigners - Schengen 90/180 Rule and Owning a Car in Europe (2026): You can own a car in Europe indefinitely — but you can only be there 90 days in 180. Here is how non-EU owners actually run a European car around the visa limit. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/schengen-90-180-rule-owning-a-car-in-europe - Andorra MT Plates vs German Registration (2026 Comparison): MT tourist plates or German plates as a non-resident? A side-by-side comparison of cost, legality, EU access, insurance and resale — with the risks nobody mentions. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/andorra-mt-plates-vs-german-registration - Does Owning a Car in Germany Make You a Tax Resident? (2026): Registering a car in Germany does not create German tax residency. Here is what actually triggers it, what the Zulassungsstelle reports, and how to keep the two separate. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/does-owning-a-car-in-germany-make-you-a-tax-resident - Storing a Car in Germany as a Non-Resident (2026 Guide): Long-term car storage in Germany without residency: deregistered vs season plate vs fully registered, what each costs over 12 months, and the re-registration trap that catches non-residents. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/storing-a-car-in-germany-non-resident - Why €50 Car Storage Costs More Than €290 Storage: Budget car storage in Germany looks five times cheaper. Priced against what eight months of standing actually breaks — battery, tyres, brakes, inspection — the gap closes, then reverses. The full arithmetic. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/cheap-car-storage-hidden-costs - What Actually Happens to a Car That Sits for Six Months: A month-by-month account of what standing does to a car: fuel ageing, battery sulfation, brake corrosion, flat spots, drying seals. What a proper movement drive prevents — and why idling it monthly does not. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/what-happens-car-sitting-six-months - The Summer Car Problem: Where Do You Keep It for the Other Nine Months?: A summer car is driven three weeks and stored forty-nine. How to choose the storage window, prepare the car properly, and why a non-resident should pick their season by flight schedule, not by weather. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/summer-car-winter-storage-europe - How to Register a Car in Germany as a US Citizen | 2026 Guide: Can a US citizen register a car in Germany without German residency? Learn about German plates, insurance, documents, US imports and vehicle registration. — https://germancarregistration.com/blog/register-car-germany-us-citizen ## 10. How to contact / next step The fastest route is WhatsApp: https://wa.me/491638623086 (+49 163 8623086). Quotes are free and typically answered the same business day, Mon–Fri · 09:00–18:00 CET. Machine-readable facts: https://germancarregistration.com/api/public/facts.json. Structured index: https://germancarregistration.com/llms.txt. Sitemap: https://germancarregistration.com/sitemap.xml.