Buy a Car in Germany as an Expat

Germany is a car country — home to BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Audi. New and used cars are widely available, regulations are straightforward once you know the process, and the Autobahn lives up to its reputation. Here's what you need to know to get on the road legally.

What you need before buying

To buy and register a car in Germany, you'll need:

• Anmeldung (Meldebescheinigung) — your registered German address. Required for vehicle registration.
• Valid driving license — your home country or international license may be valid for a limited period (see below)
• German bank account — for car insurance direct debits and vehicle tax
• Car insurance — must be arranged before registration (you need the insurance confirmation number to register)

New vs. used

New cars (Neuwagen)

Germany is one of the best places in Europe to buy a new car — manufacturers are domestic, so prices are competitive and delivery times shorter than in many other countries. Dealerships are everywhere. Most offer English-speaking staff at premium brands.

New car advantages: full warranty, predictable running costs, latest safety tech, often better financing terms. Disadvantage: steep depreciation in the first 2–3 years.

Used cars (Gebrauchtwagen)

Germany has an active used car market with generally good quality. German car owners tend to maintain service records (Scheckheft gepflegt) — a full service history is a significant selling point. Always ask for it.

Key used car terms:

• TÜV — mandatory technical inspection. Every car must pass TÜV every 2 years. A car with recent TÜV gives peace of mind. Check the sticker on the license plate.
• HU (Hauptuntersuchung) — same as TÜV; different companies run the inspection.
• Scheckheft gepflegt — full service history in the booklet. Highly desirable.
• Unfallschaden — accident damage history. Ask directly; a major accident that's been repaired should be disclosed.

Where to find cars

• Mobile.de — Germany's largest car marketplace, new and used. Set filters for location, budget, mileage. Essential starting point.
• AutoScout24 — second largest platform, slightly different inventory. Worth checking both.
• Kleinanzeigen — private sellers, often better prices but less protection. Good for older or cheaper vehicles.
• Manufacturer dealerships — for new or certified pre-owned (Jahreswagen / Vorführwagen — demo models, often discounted).
• Carwow / Heycar — newer aggregators useful for price comparison on new cars.

Car insurance in Germany

Third-party liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is mandatory by law — you cannot register a car without it. Driving without insurance is a criminal offense.

Three coverage levels:

Level	Covers	Typical annual cost
Haftpflicht (3rd party)	Damage/injury to others only	€300–700
Teilkasko (partial)	3rd party + theft, weather, fire, glass	€400–900
Vollkasko (comprehensive)	All of above + your own collision damage	€600–1,800

Premiums vary significantly based on your age, years of driving experience, where you live (Kennzeichen / registration district matters), and the car's type and value.

Getting insured as a new arrival

Your years of no-claims bonus (Schadenfreiheitsrabatt / SF-Klasse) from your home country can often be transferred. Ask your insurer — most accept proof of claims-free history from foreign insurers.

Without a German driving history, your initial premiums will be higher. They typically reduce significantly after 2–3 years of claims-free driving in Germany.

Good comparison sites: Check24.de, Verivox.de — both compare dozens of insurers in minutes.

Registering your car (Zulassung)

Once you've bought and insured the car, register it at the local Kfz-Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration authority):

1. Get your insurance confirmation number (eVB-Nummer) from your insurer
2. Book an appointment at your district's Zulassungsstelle
3. Bring: passport, Meldebescheinigung, vehicle documents (Fahrzeugbrief/Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II, Fahrzeugschein/Teil I), TÜV certificate, eVB-Nummer, payment for vehicle tax
4. Receive your license plates (Kennzeichen) and registration documents on the spot

In some districts, you can choose your own license plate number for a small fee — a popular option.

Ongoing costs

• Kfz-Steuer (vehicle tax): Annual tax based on engine size and CO₂ emissions. Typically €50–400/year for average cars. Zero for electric vehicles until 2030.
• TÜV inspection: Every 2 years. Cost: €70–120. Failure means you have a short window to fix issues and retest.
• Fuel: Germany uses E10 petrol (most common), E5 premium, and diesel. Petrol prices run ~€1.60–1.90/litre depending on global oil prices.
• Parking: Varies hugely. City centers often have paid zones (Parkschein). Residential parking permits available for residents. Underground garages: €50–200/month.
• Motorway tolls: None for cars on German motorways (trucks pay Maut). Austria, Switzerland, France charge car tolls if you drive there.

Foreign driving licenses

EU/EEA licenses are valid in Germany indefinitely — no conversion required.

Non-EU licenses from most countries are valid for 6 months after Anmeldung registration. After that, you must convert to a German license. The process depends on your country of origin:

• Recognized countries (USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others) — conversion via administrative process at the Führerscheinstelle, no full driving test required.
• Other countries — you may need to take the full German driving test (theory and practical). German driving school required.

The German driving theory test (Theorieprüfung) is available in multiple languages including English. Practical test (Fahrprüfung) must be taken in German, though the examiner may accommodate basic language needs.