Bring your own car from another EU country to Germany and register it
6 tasks in suggested order
1. Prepare vehicle documents, ownership proof and COC
For German registration of a vehicle brought from another EU/EEA country, you generally need the foreign registration documents, purchase contract/invoice or other proof of ownership, and the EC Certificate of Conformity (COC) or manufacturer data confirmation. Originals or certified copies may be required.
Official source: Bundesportal
2. Provide proof of a valid roadworthiness inspection
For a previously registered used vehicle, you must provide evidence of a valid roadworthiness inspection under German rules. A foreign inspection report may be accepted if it complies with EU requirements and is in German. The registration authority decides whether the specific evidence is sufficient.
Official source: Bundesportal
3. Get eVB insurance confirmation and SEPA mandate for vehicle tax
Before the appointment you need the electronic insurance confirmation (eVB). For vehicle tax, the registration authority also generally requires a SEPA direct-debit mandate and bank details.
Official source: Bundesportal
4. Only for a tax-new EU vehicle: clarify VAT
If applicable: Only if the vehicle is treated as a new vehicle for VAT purposes and comes from another EU country.
If the vehicle is treated as a new vehicle for VAT purposes and comes from another EU country, German individual vehicle taxation may apply. This does not automatically apply to every used vehicle brought during a move. Check this only if your vehicle meets the VAT definition of a new vehicle.
Official source: Bundesportal
5. Register at the local vehicle registration authority
Apply at the vehicle registration authority responsible for your place of residence. Bring the required originals, ID, eVB, SEPA mandate, COC/vehicle data, ownership evidence and proof of roadworthiness inspection.
Official source: Bundesportal
6. After German registration: complete deregistration and export formalities in the previous country of registration
Check the rules of the previous country of registration before your German registration appointment. Depending on that country, plates or original documents may have to be returned and the vehicle may need to be deregistered before or after German registration. If deregistration is only possible after German registration, complete it afterwards and keep the proof. Do not assume that German registration automatically completes these formalities in the previous country.
With the competent official vehicle-registration authority in the previous country of registration.
Previous registration documents, plates and, if required, proof of German registration.
Do not return original documents or plates too early. First check what the German registration authority still needs for registration.
Official source: Your Europe – Europäische Union
