Register a Car in Germany as a Non-Resident

German vehicle law recognises two separate roles. The Eigentümer is the owner — established by purchase contract, invoice and proof of payment. The Halter is the registered keeper, listed for registration, insurance and tax correspondence.

Because these roles can be held by different parties, you do not need a German address or residence permit to own a car registered in Germany. You buy the vehicle and remain its owner; CarTurf UG (haftungsbeschränkt) — HRB 29662 Koblenz, Dieselstraße 28, 53424 Remagen — appears as Halter and carries the administrative side.

Not every European country separates ownership and keepership this way, which is why Germany is the default route. For the full breakdown of the two roles, see Halter vs Eigentümer.

What is normally needed: purchase contract or dealer invoice, your ID or passport, your driving licence, the vehicle documents (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II), proof of payment, and a valid inspection certificate where the vehicle is not new.

How it runs:

1. You buy or source the vehicle — or ask CarTurf to help source it
2. Documents are reviewed for completeness
3. Insurance is arranged and an eVB number issued
4. Registration is filed and plates are produced
5. The vehicle is collected or delivered

Timeline: registration typically takes 1–5 business days once the documents are complete. Vehicles from roughly 2015 onward carry security codes in their papers and can often be registered online through i-Kfz, which is the fastest route. Real-world timing also depends on the dealer — whether the original Teil II is in-house or still with a bank or head office — and on when funds clear.

Plates are issued by the registration district of the Halter address.

CarTurf: €249 setup, then a monthly plan — Autopilot €99 (vehicles up to €100k), Plus €149, Premium €199, Lux €299. Motorcycles are €49 or €79. Current figures are always on the pricing page.

Insurance: roughly €850–€3,350 per year (cars up to €50k), depending on the vehicle, cover level and claims history. Third-party liability (Haftpflicht) is mandatory in Germany; Teilkasko and Vollkasko are optional. Get a quote rather than relying on the range.

Road tax (Kfz-Steuer): typically €150–€300 per year for an ordinary car. It is calculated from engine displacement and CO₂ emissions for vehicles registered since July 2009, so a large petrol engine costs considerably more than a small one.

Inspection (HU/AU): a few hundred euros when due, depending on the testing station and whether anything needs fixing to pass.

Insurance and road tax are billed separately from your CarTurf plan — they are not bundled into the monthly fee.

A German registration is not a one-off transaction. Three things recur:

• HU/AU (TÜV): the roadworthiness and emissions inspection. New cars are first tested after three years, then every two years. Motorcycles every two years. Driving on an expired HU risks fines and, well past the date, a surcharge at the next test.
• Insurance: must remain continuously active. If cover lapses, the insurer notifies the authority and the vehicle is deregistered.
• Road tax: collected by direct debit, normally annually.

Correspondence goes to the Halter address, so fines, tax notices and inspection reminders reach Remagen. CarTurf forwards what concerns you — but responsibility for a traffic violation stays with the driver.

If you later become a resident of the country where you mainly drive, plan on local registration instead. Long-term foreign plates for residents are a problem in most European countries.