Buy a Car in Germany as an American

Dealers will sell to you, but without a German address you cannot register or insure the car in your name. CarTurf fills that gap so you can own your car and drive it across Europe.

400+ customers · Drivers in 50+ countries

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Short answer

  1. Buy the car from a dealer, a private seller or at auction. See our mobile.de guide and German car auctions.
  2. We register it in Germany in 1–5 business days once we have the documents. Our German partner is the registered Halter; you stay the owner. See Halter vs Eigentümer.
  3. Insure it with AXA through CarTurf, or bring your USAA S.A. policy if you are US military or otherwise covered by USAA S.A. in Europe.
  4. Drive across Europe, store it between trips, or take it home with export plates.

Customers contract with CarTurf Global FZCO (Dubai). Our German partner CarTurf UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is the registered Halter. See Pricing.

Insurance: AXA, or USAA for military

Insurance is with AXA and comes with the CarTurf registration; there is no stand-alone temporary insurance. AXA's Schutzbrief (assistance abroad) is included, and ADAC cover can be added for €149/year. Default cover is for drivers aged 23+; drivers aged 18–22 (minimum 18) pay a higher premium. A no-claims discount from a foreign insurer does not carry over; one from a previous German policy does. Premium ranges are on Pricing.

US military and USAA S.A. customers can bring that insurance to a CarTurf registration. Some customers say USAA is difficult to work with, and some report it only covers passenger vehicles, not motorhomes or camper vans. See insurance for non-residents and US military.

Licence and time in Europe

  • Driving licence: as a visitor you can drive in Germany on your US licence; carry an International Driving Permit with it. If you take up residence in Germany, licence rules change, so check before you move.
  • Your time: as a US citizen you can stay in the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180. The limit applies to you, not the car: a German-registered car can stay in storage while you are away. See how long you can drive a foreign car in Europe.
  • Payment: CarTurf accepts Wise, Revolut, debit and credit cards.

Getting the car to you, and home again

ServicePrice
Delivery in Europe €0.75/km base calculation, plus route-specific costs (distance, multiple countries, overnight stays, return travel)
Storage between trips €50/month outdoor, €100/month indoor
Export plates (CarTurf-registered cars) 30 days €300, 60 days €590, 90 days €790, liability included
Transit plates (any vehicle) 4 months €500, liability included
Shipping to the USA Not offered; we recommend shipping partners

Prices include the services listed. Registration plans and insurance premiums: [Pricing](/pricing).

Why not just ask the dealer for export plates?

Dealers often tell Americans they cannot help with plates, and export plates expire anyway. If you are staying in Europe for months or coming back every year, a full German registration is simpler. See export, short-term and transit plates.

Own your car in Europe as an American

We register it in Germany in 1–5 business days once the documents are in.

See Pricing
FAQ

Buying a car in Germany as an American FAQ

Yes. Dealers and private sellers will sell to you. The hard part is registration and insurance without a German address, which CarTurf handles.

Not in your own name. With CarTurf our German partner is the registered Halter and you stay the owner; registration takes 1–5 business days once we have the documents.

Yes. US military, or anyone covered by USAA S.A. in Europe, can bring that insurance to a CarTurf registration. Some customers report USAA does not cover motorhomes or camper vans.

No. A no-claims discount from a foreign insurer does not carry over with AXA; only one from a previous German policy does.

No, but we can recommend shipping partners. Cars registered through CarTurf can get export plates from €300 for 30 days.

You can stay in the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180. A German-registered car has no EU-wide time limit and can stay in storage while you are away.