Post-Brexit Driving in E.U
Driving in Europe Post-Brexit: What’s Changed and How to Stay Road-Legal
Brexit Made Things Complicated
Since the UK left the EU, many British holidaymakers have discovered that driving a UK-registered vehicle in Europe is no longer as simple as it once was.
Under new rules in countries like France, non-EU vehicles (including British cars) can only remain in the EU for up to 30 days at a time without risking penalties, import duties, or even vehicle impoundment. If your car is seen repeatedly or left at your holiday home, local authorities may assume it’s been “imported”—even if you’re just a visitor.
Our Solution: Own a Fully Legal German-Plated Car
At MyGermanCar, we help UK residents legally own and register a German car - without needing a German address.
You’ll get official registration, plates, and insurance tied to your name and backed by our German company. That means you can leave your car at your holiday home in Europe.
What Does It Cost?
Our service is simple, transparent, and built for British travellers:
One-time registration setup fee: Normally €149 – currently waived
EuroDrive Plan : €99/month
- Covers your ongoing registration and compliance under our licensed German entity
- Keeps your car legally on the road without needing a local address
- Insurance and vehicle tax: Quoted separately depending on your car and expected mileage
We’ll provide a personalised insurance quote with no surprises—just clear EU-compliant car ownership, done right.
From September 1 to December 31, 2025, we’re waiving our €149 registration setup fee. Send us a message below to claim. ✅ Promo valid: 01.09.2025–31.12.2025
How MyGermanCar have helped one British couple with German car ownership, in France:
Paul and Sarah, a retired couple from Kent, had been driving their UK car to their holiday flat near Toulouse for years. But post-Brexit changes caught them off guard—after leaving their car in France for just over a month, they received a warning and faced potential fines for overstaying the 30-day limit.
Instead of giving up their independence, they turned to MyGermanCar. Now, they legally own a German-registered, right-hand drive BMW Z4 through our EuroDrive Plan. It’s parked at their property year-round, fully insured and compliant—no more stress at the border.
“It solved everything,” says Sarah. “And we love that it’s left-hand drive, much easier on roundabouts and car parks. We keep it covered when we're away and really we've noticed that the French police don't bother us like they did with UK plates”
Stay Informed. Stay Compliant.
Rules are evolving fast, and Brexit has left many UK drivers caught off guard. Join our newsletter to stay ahead of the curve with EU motoring tips, ownership insights, and legal updates.
👉 Message us today to claim your €149 setup fee waiver and keep your European driving freedom intact with MyGermanCar. Check our FAQs below or send us your questions here
Frequently Asked Questions
Our most frequently asked questions
General questions
What is MyGermanCar.com?
MyGermanCar.com is a service that helps non-residents buy, register, and insure cars in Germany.
Who is MyGermanCar service made for?
It’s made for expats, digital nomads, frequent travelers, and anyone without a German address who wants to own a car in Europe.
How does it work?
You sign up, submit your documents, and we handle the registration, insurance, and license plates for you.
Which vehicles does MyGermanCar insure?
We insure most road-legal vehicles including cars, motorcycles, campervans, and trailers.
Why choose MyGermanCar?
We simplify German bureaucracy and offer a fast, legal path to car ownership for non-residents.
What does it cost?
Our standard plan costs €99 / month. Insurance and tax costs depend on your vehicle and insurance type. We provide a quote before you commit. For more details, visit our Services & Pricing page
Will the car be registered in my name?
The car is registered in our company name but you remain the legal owner
How long does it take to get my car registered with MyGermanCar?
Usually 5 to 10 working days once all documents are submitted.
Can I use MyGermanCar for registration but bring my own insurance?
This is usually not possible because the car is registered to our company, so the insurance policy is in our company name. We can provide competitive quotes from top tier insurers. However, if you can get insurance and you only want to use MyGermanCar for the registration, we are happy to do this.
Can a non-EU resident register a car in Germany?
Yes. Our service is specifically built to make that possible and compliant.
Why should I use MyGermanCar to handle my vehicle registration in Europe?
We are setup so that anyone can register a German car with our company, taxed and insured. This unique service allows you to own a German car, with German license plates, wherever you live.
What are the total costs of owning a car using MyGermanCar’s services
Registration apx €149
Service fee €99/month
Insurance (depends on car, average apx €800/year)
Vehicle Tax (depends on car, average €100/year).
So, for everything, expect to budget apx €200/month for an average car.
Purchasing a vehicle in the European Union
Is it possible to purchase a car in Germany if I’m not a resident?
Yes, anyone can purchase a car in Germany. You only require the funds to make the purchase and proof of identity
What are the benefits of buying and registering a car in Germany?
German cars are well looked after, with good service history. German roads are well maintained, so used cars are in good condition. Germany, the home of many auto manufacturers, has the widest range of used car stock in Europe, with many more options than in other countries. German cars are typically less expensive than in other EU countries.
Which websites can I use to search for cars online?
You can search on autoscout.de and mobile.de to find your car in Germany. We recommend buying from a dealer, so you have a 12 month warranty and smoother purchase experience
What’s the process for buying a car in Europe?
Find the vehicle, arrange finance/payment and sign purchase contract. The purchase contract proves that you are the owner of the vehicle
How do I handle payment after selecting a car to purchase?
You can arrange a bank transfer with the dealer.
Which documents are required to buy a vehicle in Germany?
You only need your ID (e.g. passport) and your funds to pay for it. That's all you need to buy a car in Germany
Can I travel to Germany to test drive a car, or do I have to buy it remotely?
Either. You can buy a car in Germany without visiting if you want to.
How much time should I plan to spend in person searching for a car?
If you do decide to visit Germany to buy a car, plan to visit for 1-2 weeks to see various cars and test drive them. Its up to you, really, as you don't need to visit Germany to purchase a car.
What are the pros and cons of buying from a dealer versus a private seller?
We recommend buying from a dealer so that you get a warranty (typically 12 months as standard) and a car that has been checked and prepared for sale. However, private sellers will typically be slightly cheaper, so you could go that route if you want to save some expense. If you buy from a private seller, its advisable to arrange a mechanic to look over the car for you.
Can MyGermanCar assist me in choosing the right vehicle?
We handle the registration, tax, insurance and compliance for your car ownership. Generally, we are not involved in the purchase process but we are happy to provide informal advice
Does MyGermanCar offer pre-purchase vehicle inspections?
Typically we are involved in the registration process, not the purchase but we are happy to help where we can and offer advice to help you navigate the purchase process smoothly. We can recommend mechanics in the Berlin area, if you need it, but we are not affiliated with them.
Can MyGermanCar help negotiate the price with the seller?
We will be happy to assist you in the pre-purchase and purchase process, informally. Our solution is to provide you with registration, insurance and paperwork etc when you are buying the car. However, we do regularly help our customers if they need some advice or for us to check something out here in Germany. Basically, we are here to help in any way we can, to make everything smooth and successful for your German car registration.
Registration, tax & insurance
What are the steps to register a vehicle in Germany?
At MyGermanCar, we take care of the full registration process for you. After you sign up, we collect the necessary documents, arrange insurance, prepare all paperwork, and register the vehicle at the local registration office. You’ll receive your German license plates once the process is complete.
Is it possible to register a car in Europe without being there in person?
Yes, absolutely. With MyGermanCar, you don’t need to be in Germany or anywhere in Europe. We act as your official representative, handling the entire process on your behalf so you can register your car remotely.
What does car insurance typically include and how does it work?
We help set up your mandatory liability insurance, which covers damage you may cause to others. You can also choose partial or full comprehensive coverage for added protection against theft, fire, weather damage, and more. Once insurance is arranged, we generate an eVB number, which is required for registration.
What paperwork do I need to submit to MyGermanCar to get my vehicle registered?
You’ll need to send us a copy of your ID or passport, the vehicle documents (Fahrzeugschein and Fahrzeugbrief), a signed power of attorney form, and proof of purchase. We’ll handle the rest - including arranging your insurance and preparing everything for the registration.
How does MyGermanCar manage the registration process?
We act as your dedicated representative in Germany. Once we receive your documents, we prepare everything, schedule the registration, and visit the registration office in person. We also collect your plates and can have them shipped to you or your vehicle location.
Do I need to be in Germany for MyGermanCar to register my car?
No, you don’t. Our service is designed specifically for people who are not in Germany. Once you give us permission to act on your behalf, we manage the entire process from start to finish without requiring your physical presence.
How long does it take to get a vehicle registered?
Registration typically takes between 3 to 5 working days after we receive all required documents and insurance is confirmed. Times can vary slightly depending on the city and whether the vehicle needs inspection.
Can MyGermanCar arrange insurance for me?
Yes. We work with trusted German insurance partners and can arrange your coverage for you. Once approved, we generate the eVB number required for registration.
What types of insurance are available in Germany?
There are three main types:
Liability (Haftpflicht) – required by law and covers damage you cause to others
Partial Comprehensive (Teilkasko) – covers theft, fire, weather, and animal damage
Full Comprehensive (Vollkasko) – includes everything above, plus damage to your own vehicle from accidents
We help you choose the best option for your needs.
Does MyGermanCar provide temporary or export plates?
Our service is designed for people who want German licened cars. If you are interested to buy a car in Germany and export it immediately, our service is not ideal for you
Am I allowed to arrange my own insurance instead?
It is possible but it is not very common. Because your car would be registered to our company, it usually requires an insurance policy in our name. Therefore, we work with top tier brokers to get the best rate, which we provide to you without any mark up. We are confident that we have the best value insurance, signficantly cheaper than out nearest competitor. Request a quote to see for yourself.
Driving and Using Your Vehicle
Where can I legally drive with German or EU plates?
German plates are valid across the entire EU and many non-EU countries as well. You can drive freely in most of Europe, but always check local rules if you plan to drive outside the EU for extended periods.
Will the car be registered under my own name?
The car will be registered in our company name but you remain the legal owner, as per your sales contract when you purchase the car. With MyGermanCar as the registered "Halter", we can use our address to keep your car on German license plates, with German insurance etc. But we do not own or control your car ownership. This is all handled with a signed agreement. We safeguard your mail and important documents and send you a digital copy when we receive them.
What documents do I need to carry while driving across Europe or elsewhere?
You should carry the following at all times:
Vehicle registration certificate (Fahrzeugschein/Teil I)
Proof of insurance
Your driving license
Any emission or road tax stickers required by local laws
We provide you with everything you need to drive legally once registration is complete.
What’s the process for selling my car once I’m done using it?
When you're ready to sell, we can help deregister the car, cancel insurance, and provide a sales contract template. We can help you navigate the sales process in Germany.
Pricing
Which MyGermanCar plan should I choose?
Most customers choose the EuroDrive Plan. If your car is valued at over €100.000 or you want to register 2 cars, then the EuroDrive Extra Plan is required. If you want to register a motorcycle, choose the EuroBike Plan
What’s included in the EuroDrive Plan?
Vehicle registration, payment of vehicle tax on your behalf, setup of insurance, ongoing support and help with insurance claims, obtaining license plates and courier them to yourself or your dealer, all necessary paperwork, emissions inspection and more.
Selling your car
How do I go about selling my car when the time comes?
When you’re ready to sell, let us know and we’ll walk you through the steps. We can assist with deregistration, paperwork, and transferring ownership. If the buyer is outside Germany, we can also help arrange export plates.
Is there a de-registration process or minimum term before I can end the contract?
Yes. MyGermanCar has a 6-month minimum term for vehicle registration and management. After that period, we can help you deregister the car, cancel services, and assist with sale or export if needed. If you need to sell before 6 months, we will refund the difference of your fees with a minimum charge of 6 months fees.
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