Model B
Register a Car in Germany in Your Own Name — Without German Residency
Model B registers the car in your own name as Halter in the Fahrzeugbrief — no nominee, no corporate keeper. It uses an apostilled ID, a notarised power of attorney and proof of foreign residency; insurance is arranged through our partners AXA and Zurich and issued for the registered keeper. Fully lawful under German vehicle registration law (FZV).
Last updated: July 2026 · This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Key facts
- You are Halter in Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I & II
- You remain Eigentümer via purchase contract
- No German Anmeldung required
- Insurance arranged through AXA / Zurich for the registered keeper
- Typical timeline: 7–14 business days [TODO: confirm]
- One-time setup fee [TODO: publish range]
- Works with our storage service in Bernau bei Berlin
- Change from Model A to Model B is possible later
Who is Model B for?
Owners who want the vehicle papers physically in their name — typically collectors, HNW individuals with multiple homes, and anyone who has a specific documentary reason to appear as keeper (custom insurance policies, fleet requirements, estate planning). If you simply want to drive a German-registered car quickly, Model A is faster and cheaper.
Documents checklist
- Apostilled ID (passport)
- Notarised power of attorney (Vollmacht)
- Proof of foreign residency
- Vehicle purchase contract
- Vehicle CoC or Fahrzeugbrief
- Valid HU (TÜV) certificate for used vehicles
Step-by-step process
- Send us the document checklist above (WhatsApp or secure upload).
- We arrange insurance quotes through AXA and Zurich for you as registered keeper.
- Apostille + notarisation completed in your country (we send the exact templates).
- We attend the Zulassungsstelle under your Vollmacht and register you as Halter.
- Plates and Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I & II ship to you or your dealer.
Does own-name registration cause insurance problems?
Insurance policies must match the registration setup — that is exactly what our Model B framework is built for. Model B policies are arranged through our insurance partners AXA and Zurich and issued for the registered keeper. We do not use ambiguous keeper structures on Model B, and we do not sell a policy that does not match the keeper on file.
[TODO: add insurer documentation confirming Model B policies are issued in the client's name.]
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
When Model A is the better choice
Speed and simplicity. Model A skips the apostille/POA/residency-proof chain and is typically live in ~5 business days. Fleet-rate insurance through our master AXA/Zurich policy is often materially cheaper on high-value cars. You stay legal owner via purchase contract — nothing about ownership changes; only the keeper role on the certificate.
FAQ
Is Model B really registration in my own name?
Yes. Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II are issued with you as Halter. You are both Eigentümer (owner via purchase contract) and Halter (registered keeper), without a German Anmeldung.
Does own-name registration cause insurance problems?
Policies must match the registration setup, which is exactly what our Model B framework is built for. Model B policies are arranged through our insurance partners AXA and Zurich and issued for the registered keeper. [TODO: add insurer documentation when available.] This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How long does Model B take?
Typically 7–14 business days from complete document set to plates dispatched, versus ~5 business days for Model A. The difference is document handling: apostille, POA and residency proof must clear before the Zulassungsstelle appointment. [TODO: confirm exact working range.]
When is Model A the better choice?
Model A is faster (~5 business days), needs less paperwork on your side (no apostille or POA notarisation), and the fleet insurance is often cheaper for high-value cars. If you don't specifically need papers in your name, Model A is the simpler route.
Can I switch from Model A to Model B later?
Yes — a change of Halter is a straightforward Zulassungsstelle transaction. You keep the same plates and insurance is re-issued for the new keeper.