Vehicle Registration in Germany (Kfz-Zulassung): Complete Guide for Expats

Overview

Every car driven on German roads must be registered (Kfz-Zulassung) at your local Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office). You receive German licence plates and an official registration certificate. Driving an unregistered car risks fines, impoundment, and insurance voidance.

Whether you buy a car in Germany, import one from abroad, or re-register after moving cities, the process follows the same core steps: insurance, inspection (if needed), appointment, plates.

Prerequisites: Anmeldung with Meldebescheinigung, valid driving licence, and a German address matching your registration.

Who needs this

Dealer-purchased new cars often come with temporary plates and the dealer handles initial registration. Used cars from private sellers require you to complete the process — the seller must provide the Fahrzeugbrief (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II).

Documents you need

All documents should be originals unless the Zulassungsstelle explicitly accepts copies. The Fahrzeugbrief (Teil II) is the proof of ownership — the seller must hand this over at purchase.

Step-by-step process

1. Get car insurance and your eVB number

Before anything else, take out Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung (mandatory third-party liability insurance). Compare providers online — premiums vary significantly by car model, location, and your driving record (Schufa score).

Once you have a policy, request an eVB number (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) from your insurer. This is a 7-character alphanumeric code transmitted electronically to the Zulassungsstelle. It confirms you have valid insurance and is valid for 3 months.

You do not need to own the car yet to get insurance — provide the vehicle identification number (FIN/VIN) from the seller.

2. Book a TÜV/HU inspection (if required)

New cars from a dealer typically have a fresh inspection.

Used cars need a valid Hauptuntersuchung (HU) report — not older than 2 months. Book at any TÜV, DEKRA, or GTÜ station. The inspection checks roadworthiness: brakes, lights, emissions, tyres, and structural integrity.

Imported cars (especially from outside the EU) almost always need a TÜV inspection and may require modifications to meet German standards (lighting, emissions, speedometer).

Inspection cost: €70–150 depending on vehicle type.

3. Gather vehicle documents

You need both parts of the registration certificate:

• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (Fahrzeugschein) — stays in the car, shows current registration
• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (Fahrzeugbrief) — proof of ownership, kept at home

For a private purchase, the seller signs the back of Teil II to transfer ownership. Both buyer and seller must de-register (Abmeldung) the old registration before you can register anew.

Also bring the Kaufvertrag (purchase contract) — a simple signed agreement between buyer and seller with date, price, and vehicle details.

4. Book a Zulassungsstelle appointment

Find your local office by searching "Kfz-Zulassungsstelle [your city]" or via the KBA office finder. Most cities require online appointment booking — walk-ins are rarely accepted.

Wait times vary enormously: 1–2 weeks in smaller cities, 3–4 weeks in Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg.

Some cities offer online registration (Internetzulassung) if the car was previously registered in Germany and you have the security codes from Teil I — check if your Zulassungsstelle supports this.

5. Register the car and get plates

At your appointment, present all documents. The clerk will:

1. Verify your identity and Meldebescheinigung
2. Check the eVB number electronically
3. Review the TÜV/HU report
4. Process the registration in the central vehicle register (ZFR)
5. Issue new licence plates or stamp your existing ones

Standard plates show your city's region code (e.g. B for Berlin, M for Munich, F for Frankfurt) followed by letters and numbers. Custom plates (Wunschkennzeichen) cost extra — order in advance online if desired.

Total at the office: €60–80 (registration fee + plates).

You receive an updated Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (Fahrzeugschein) — keep this in the car at all times.

6. Set up Kfz-Steuer (vehicle tax)

Vehicle tax is not paid at the Zulassungsstelle. After registration, the Hauptzollamt (customs office) sends a Kfz-Steuer assessment by post within 2–4 weeks.

Tax is calculated based on:

• Engine displacement (cc) — higher for larger engines
• CO₂ emissions — since 2021, CO₂-based component added
• First registration date — newer rules apply to newer cars

Typical annual tax: €100–300 for a standard petrol car, more for diesel or high-emission vehicles. Electric vehicles are currently tax-exempt until 2030.

Payment is by SEPA direct debit — provide your IBAN at registration or in the tax office's follow-up letter.

7. Importing a car from outside the EU

If you bring a car from outside the European Union, additional steps apply:

1. Customs clearance at the Zoll (customs office) — pay import VAT (19%) and any applicable duties
2. TÜV inspection — verify the car meets German safety and emissions standards
3. CoC document (Certificate of Conformity) — if available, simplifies TÜV; without it, individual inspection is required
4. Standard registration — follow steps 1 and 5 above

Allow 1–4 extra weeks for customs and compliance checks. Cars over 6 months old from your country of origin may qualify for tax-free import as part of a household move (Umzugsgut) — ask the Zoll about Freizügigkeitsrecht exemptions.

8. Ummeldung (moving within Germany)

When you move to a new city and update your Anmeldung, you must re-register your car within 2 weeks:

1. Book an appointment at the new city's Zulassungsstelle
2. Bring Meldebescheinigung, Fahrzeugschein, and current plates
3. Receive new plates with the new city's region code
4. Kfz-Steuer office is updated automatically

Old plates must be returned or destroyed. Some cities allow online Ummeldung.

9. Abmeldung (deregistration)

When you sell your car or leave Germany permanently:

1. Both seller and buyer visit the Zulassungsstelle together (or the seller de-registers first)
2. Plates are surrendered and invalidated
3. Insurance and Kfz-Steuer stop automatically
4. Keep the Abmeldebescheinigung as proof

Failure to deregister means you continue paying insurance and vehicle tax even after selling.

Costs

Timeline

1. Get car insurance and request eVB number

   Same day (online from most insurers)

2. Book TÜV/HU inspection (if buying used or importing)

   1–2 weeks for appointment

3. Book Zulassungsstelle appointment

   1–4 weeks wait (varies heavily by city)

4. Register car and receive licence plates

   Same day at appointment (plates made on-site or ordered)

5. Kfz-Steuer assessment from Hauptzollamt

   2–4 weeks after registration — first bill by post

6. Import from non-EU: customs clearance

   Add 1–4 weeks before registration step

Book your Zulassungsstelle appointment as early as possible — this is usually the longest wait in the process.

Tips and common mistakes

• Get the eVB number before booking the appointment — without it, registration is impossible.
• Check the TÜV date — an expired HU report means an extra inspection appointment before you can register.
• Both parties must attend for private sales — or the seller de-registers first and hands over the Fahrzeugbrief.
• Do not drive without valid plates and insurance — fines start at €70 and the car can be impounded.
• Dealer sales are easier — if buying used, consider a dealer who handles registration for you.
• Your address determines your plate code — you cannot choose a different city code.
• Deregister when selling — you remain liable for tax and insurance until Abmeldung is complete.
• Check your Schufa score — insurers use it to set premiums; a good score saves hundreds per year.
• Electric cars are tax-free until 2030 — factor this into the total cost of ownership.

Frequently asked questions