Whether you've just bought a vehicle in Germany or brought one in from abroad, getting it registered is a crucial step before hitting the road. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about car registration in Germany — especially useful if you're an expat, non-resident, or buying privately.
✅ What You’ll Learn
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How the German car registration process works
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What documents you’ll need
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Where to go and what it costs
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What to expect if you’ve imported a car
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How MyGermanCar can take care of it for you
📍 Why Car Registration Matters in Germany
In Germany, every car must be officially registered with the local car registration office (Kraftfahrzeug-Zulassungsstelle). This rule applies whether you're:
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Buying locally from a private seller
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Importing a vehicle from abroad
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Or moving to a different city within Germany
That’s because German number plates are location-based — each plate starts with a regional code like B for Berlin or M for Munich.
🧾 What Documents Are Required?
Here’s what you typically need to register a car in Germany:
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✅ Valid ID (passport or national ID card)
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✅ Proof of residence (Anmeldung or official registration certificate)
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✅ Proof of ownership (vehicle registration Part II or sales contract)
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✅ Car insurance confirmation (eVB number)
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✅ TÜV inspection certificate (if applicable)
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✅ Certificate of conformity (especially for EU imports)
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✅ Foreign registration document (for imported vehicles)
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✅ SEPA direct debit form (for vehicle tax payment)
⚠️ Important: If you don’t have a German address, MyGermanCar can handle the process for you — including the use of our proxy address and insurance arrangement.
🏢 Where to Register
You’ll need to book an appointment at your local registration office (Zulassungsstelle). Fees typically range from €30–€50, depending on the municipality.
If you purchased from a dealership, they often register the car for you. But if you're buying privately or importing a vehicle, it’s up to you — unless you use a service like MyGermanCar, where we handle it all.
🚙 What Happens at the Appointment?
At the registration office:
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They’ll check all your documents
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Enter your vehicle into the official registry
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Provide you with a registration seal (Stempelplakette) for your license plates
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Once completed, you're ready to drive legally in Germany and across Europe
🚘 Getting German Number Plates for Your Car
Once your registration is approved, the next step is to get your license plates printed. This is done at any Autoschilder (plate shop), which you’ll usually find near the registration office.
The plate printing process isn’t heavily regulated — what actually makes your plates official is the registration seal (Stempelplakette), not the plate itself. That means you can choose any plate printer, and prices usually range from €15 to €20 for a standard pair.
✅ What to Do:
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Take your registration approval to the Autoschilder shop
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Have your front and rear plates printed
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Bring the printed plates back to the Zulassungsstelle (registration office)
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They’ll apply the official seal that legally validates the plates
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Fit the plates to your vehicle — and you’re ready to hit the road
💶 Vehicle Tax in Germany (Kfz-Steuer)
Once your car is registered, the Zollamt (customs office) will automatically send you a vehicle tax notice. This includes:
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The amount due (based on emissions, engine size, and fuel type)
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Payment instructions
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Your SEPA direct debit confirmation (already provided during registration)
No need to apply separately — the process is automatic. Just ensure the tax is paid from your nominated bank account to stay compliant.
🛠️ Need Help Registering Without an Address?
That’s exactly what MyGermanCar was built for. We:
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Provide a registration-ready German address
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Arrange compliant insurance on your behalf
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Handle the paperwork and plate issuing
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Support expats, digital nomads, and non-residents
📩 Contact us for a smooth, no-stress registration experience — no Anmeldung needed.