Buying a Car in Germany — Registration, TÜV, Insurance, KFZ-Steuer (2026)

Buying a Car in Germany — Overview

The German car market is huge — ~50 million cars on the roads. Many Poles buy cars in Germany (known "Polish business" — importing used cars to Poland as well).

Where to Buy

New

• Dealer (VW, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Opel — all majors)
• €20k-100k+ depending on make
• 2-3 year warranty
• Financing typically through dealer (3-7% APR)
• Configurator online (Vw.de, BMW.de, etc.)

Used — Where to Look

• Mobile.de — largest market
• Autoscout24.de
• eBay Kleinanzeigen — beware of scams
• Private listings
• Dealers of used cars
• Polish-owned dealers in Polish communities (Berlin, Ruhr, NRW)

Polish Cars from Germany to Poland

Many Poles buy used cars in Germany to import to Poland (often better prices than the Polish used market). Process:

• Pay and pick up the car
• Temporary registration (kennzeichen)
• Drive to Poland
• Register at Polish office (within 30 days)
• Polish import tax + customs (if necessary)

Required Documents

Identification

• Personalausweis or Polish ID/passport
• Anmeldebestätigung (residence registration)
• Driving license

Vehicle Documents

• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (Fahrzeugschein) — vehicle registration certificate (carry in the car)
• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (Fahrzeugbrief) — ownership document (keep at home, safe)
• TÜV certificate (if current)
• Service history (Wartungsheft)

Insurance — KFZ-Versicherung

Required BEFORE Registration

The car cannot be registered without insurance.

Types

• Haftpflicht (third-party liability) — minimum, legally required
• Teilkasko (partial comprehensive) — covers theft, glass, animals, hail
• Vollkasko (full comprehensive) — covers everything (including your fault accidents)

Prices 2026 (per year)

eVB Nummer

Electronic confirmation of insurance — needed for registration:

• Received within 24 hours after contracting insurance
• 7-digit alphanumeric code
• Valid for 30 days (must register the car within this time)

Schadenfreiheitsklasse (SFK)

The German bonus-malus system. The more years without an accident, the lower the premium.

Polish SFK Transfer

Polish insurance history can be transferred to the German SFK system (through the insurer). Confirmation from the Polish insurer is required.

Registration (Zulassung)

Step 1: Choose Kennzeichen

License plate:

• First 1-3 letters: city/district
• 2-letter combination: free choice (subject to availability)
• 1-4 digit number: also choice
• Cost: ~€20-40 for reserving specific combo

Step 2: Go to Zulassungsstelle

• Local KFZ-Zulassungsstelle (district office)
• Online reservation often required (especially Berlin, Munich)
• Wait time: 1-4 weeks typically

Step 3: Documents

• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (Fahrzeugbrief)
• eVB Nummer (insurance confirmation)
• TÜV certificate (current)
• Personalausweis or passport
• Anmeldebestätigung
• Banking SEPA mandate (for KFZ-Steuer auto-debit)

Step 4: Payment

• Registration fee: €30-45
• License plates: €20-40
• Reservation fee: €11 if specific plate

Step 5: Receipt

• Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (Fahrzeugschein) — carry in car
• License plates
• The car can be driven from the day of receipt

TÜV / HU (Vehicle Inspection)

Hauptuntersuchung (HU)

• Mandatory safety inspection
• Every 2 years (most cars)
• New cars: 3 years first, then every 2
• Cost: €70-100
• TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ, KÜS — various inspectors

Abgasuntersuchung (AU)

• Emissions test
• Every 2 years (same time as HU)
• Usually included in HU package

Failure

• "Erhebliche Mängel" — significant defects, fix + retest within 1 month
• "Verkehrsunsicher" — dangerous, cannot drive
• Common failures: brakes, lights, tires, emissions

Without Current TÜV

• Fines €15-60 for overdue
• Larger fines for long overdue
• Cannot register/sell the car without TÜV

KFZ-Steuer (Road Tax)

Calculation

Based on engine size + emissions:

• Older cars (pre-2009): mostly engine displacement
• Newer cars (post-2009): emissions-based (CO2 g/km)

Average

• Small efficient (gasoline): €50-150/year
• Standard sedan: €100-300/year
• SUV / luxury: €300-1,000/year
• Electric vehicles: €0 (likely until 2030)
• Hybrid: significantly reduced

Payment

Automatic SEPA-debit from the account provided at registration. First installment usually within a month after registration.

Exchanging Polish Driving License

Polish citizens residing in Germany for > 6 months must exchange their Polish license for a German Führerschein.

Procedure

1. Go to Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (local licensing office)
2. Documents:
   • Polish license (original)
   • Personalausweis
   • Anmeldebestätigung
   • Passport-style photo (biometric)
   • €35-45 fee
   • Sometimes medical certificate (Sehtest — eye exam)
3. Time: 4-8 weeks

Pre-Brexit Polish licenses — exchange without a test. EU-issued.

Polish Cars — Import vs Buy Local

Benefits of Buying in Germany

• Better deals on certain brands (especially BMW, Audi, Mercedes)
• Better-maintained used cars (TÜV requirements)
• Strong used car market (mobile.de)
• EU warranty transferable

Benefits of Buying in Poland

• Polish-language paperwork
• Polish service network
• No import duties
• Easy registration

Importing Used Cars from Germany to Poland

Popular practice:

1. Find a car in Germany
2. Buy with temporary German plates (Kurzzeitkennzeichen)
3. Drive to Poland
4. Polish registration within 30 days
5. Pay Polish import tax + VAT

Cost savings of 10-30% compared to Polish dealer prices, but extra hassle.

Practical Tips

• mobile.de / AutoScout24 — main search
• Insurance BEFORE registration
• eVB Nummer within 24h
• HU/TÜV every 2 years
• KFZ-Steuer SEPA auto
• Exchange license within 6 months
• Polish dealers in Germany for Polish-speaking
• SFK transfer from Poland possible
• Pre-purchase inspection ($100-200 well spent)
• SCHUFA for financing
• Polish-German import still popular