Buying and registering a car in Germany

Who needs it

Anyone who buys a car and wants to drive it on public roads. You need a valid licence first. If yours is from outside the EU, check driving licence exchange.

Registration is linked to your address, so do your Anmeldung first. Car tax is paid by direct debit, so you also need a bank account.

What you need

• Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung (third-party liability insurance) (mandatory). Every car on public roads must have it. When you take out a policy, the insurer gives you an eVB number (electronic insurance confirmation). The registration office checks it electronically.
• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (registration certificate part II, the ownership document) (mandatory)
• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (part I, the document you carry in the car), if the car was registered before (usually required)
• Passport or ID card, plus residence permit if you have one (mandatory)
• Proof of address, such as your Meldebescheinigung (usually required)
• A SEPA direct debit mandate for car tax (mandatory). The form is available from customs and at the registration office.
• Proof of a valid Hauptuntersuchung (HU, main inspection) for a used car (mandatory if due)
• Number plates (mandatory). Plate shops are usually located near the registration office.

How to do it

1. Check the car and papers. For a used car, compare the vehicle identification number with the papers, and make sure the seller is the person named in Teil II. Get a written purchase contract.
2. Take out liability insurance and note your eVB number. Comprehensive cover (Teilkasko or Vollkasko) is optional.
3. Book an appointment at the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office) of your city or district. Some offices offer online registration (i-Kfz), which usually needs an ID card with online function.
4. Register the car. You get Teil I, the registration stickers and, if needed, a new number.
5. Fit the plates with the stickers before you drive.

What happens afterwards

Car tax (Kfz-Steuer)

Your tax liability starts with registration. The registration office passes your details to customs (the Zoll, specifically the local Hauptzollamt). Customs sends a tax notice and collects the tax by direct debit, normally once a year in advance. The amount depends mainly on engine size and CO₂ emissions. Customs has an online calculator. Electric cars have their own rule: fully electric cars first registered by 31 December 2030 are exempt until 31 December 2035 at the latest.

Inspection (HU/TÜV)

The Hauptuntersuchung is a mandatory safety inspection. People often call it "TÜV" after one of the testing organisations. For private cars:

• New cars: first inspection after 36 months
• After that: every 24 months

The sticker on your rear number plate shows when the next one is due. Driving with an overdue inspection can lead to a fine.

Parking

Many cities have resident parking zones. In these areas you may need a Bewohnerparkausweis (resident parking permit) from your city. Rules and prices are local.

Common problems

Can I register a car without an Anmeldung?

Usually not. The registration office needs a German address for the vehicle holder. Some offices accept other proof of address. Ask yours in advance.

Do I need an eVB number before registration?

Yes. Without liability insurance, the car cannot be registered. Getting an eVB number usually takes minutes once you choose an insurer.

Can I use my no-claims history from abroad?

Some insurers accept a no-claims letter from your previous insurer abroad. There is no legal right to this. Ask before you sign.

Who pays the car tax if I buy a car mid-year?

The tax is calculated per day of registration. When a car changes owner, the previous owner's tax ends and yours starts with your registration.

What happens when I sell or scrap the car?

The buyer re-registers it, or you deregister it (Außerbetriebsetzung) at the registration office. Customs then settles your car tax. Cancel your insurance after deregistration.

Costs

• Registration fee and number plates: a one-off cost, set locally.
• Liability insurance: yearly premium, depending on the car, your history and where you live.
• Car tax: yearly, depending on engine and CO₂.
• Hauptuntersuchung: every 24 months (first after 36 months for new cars).