My car in Germany: What you need to know

Max Faller
25 sept. 2024
7 min de lecture

Dernière mise à jour : 28 nov. 2024

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You have just arrived in Germany with your car. Very quickly, you are overwhelmed with questions.

Registration? Sticker? Insurance? Winter tires?

This article will guide you through your steps to comply with German laws.

1. What are the parts of car insurance in Germany?

Car insurance (Kfz-Versicherung) can consist of several parts: liability insurance, material coverage for the vehicle, roadside assistance, and legal insurance.

Liability insurance: Mandatory, it covers damages caused to others.
Partial coverage (Teilkaskoversicherung): Covers damages to your vehicle in certain situations, such as theft, fire, etc.
Complete coverage (Vollkaskoversicherung): Offers complete protection, including damages you cause to your own vehicle.

2. How much does car insurance cost in Germany?

The cost of car insurance depends on several factors, such as the type of coverage, the model of the car, the bonus/malus, the franchise, etc.

In general, car insurance is more expensive in Germany, due to Germans' preference for larger cars, which inevitably impacts insurance prices.

The franchise (Selbstbeteiligung, SB) allows for a reduction in insurance costs and differs between partial coverage (Teilkaskoversicherung) and complete coverage (Vollkaskoversicherung).

Germany also has a bonus/malus system that allows for reduced insurance costs. For more information, refer to the section: Bonus and malus in Germany? Can I have my French bonus recognized in Germany?

3. How to change insurance or cancel my contract?

Most car insurance contracts in Germany renew annually. To cancel a contract, you must send your request at least one month before the end of the insurance year. Since many contracts end on December 31, the request must be made before November 30.

To cancel your contract, send a registered cancellation letter, including your contract number, personal information, and the desired end date of the contract.

It is possible to change insurers in the following cases:

In case of a price increase of the contract.
After a claim, if you are not satisfied with the handling. You can cancel your contract within one month after the claim.
In case of a vehicle change.

4. How to choose car insurance in Germany?

Choosing car insurance in Germany may seem complex. It is important to take your time to select the insurance best suited to your situation and vehicle.

Choose your type of insurance: Liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht) is mandatory. You can then opt for partial coverage (Teilkasko) or complete coverage (Vollkasko), depending on the age of your vehicle. If your vehicle is old, simple liability or partial coverage will suffice.
Compare rates: Use online comparators like Check24 to compare rates among different insurance companies.
Look at additional options: Some companies offer options like passenger insurance, which covers passengers in the vehicle. Also, review the contract terms and customer reviews of the insurance company.

5. Can I drive in Germany with my foreign vehicle?

Yes, you can drive in Germany with a foreign vehicle, but it depends on the duration of your stay. If you are temporarily visiting Germany (typically up to one year), you can use your foreign vehicle.

However, if you plan to reside in Germany or primarily use your vehicle in the country, you will need to register your vehicle in accordance with German laws. Failure to do so may result in fines or penalties.

6. Can I keep my vehicle insurance from my home country?

Whether you can keep your vehicle insurance from your home country while driving abroad depends on various factors, including the duration of your stay and the terms of your insurance policy. Many insurance companies offer international coverage, which may allow you to maintain your existing policy while traveling.

Check with your insurer to verify if your insurance covers travel in Germany. Generally, the country of residence should match where the vehicle is registered and insured.

7. Do I need a sticker to drive in specific German cities?

To drive in certain German cities, you need an ecological sticker "Umweltplakette" on your windshield. The sticker costs between €5 and €20 depending on where you purchase it.

There are three types of stickers: red, yellow, and green (for less polluting vehicles). Cars, trucks, and buses need the sticker, while tractors and motorcycles do not.

Stickers are valid for life, but replace them if unreadable or when changing your license plate.

Driving without a sticker is possible , but you can't enter areas requiring one, with a €100 fine as penalty . In environmental zones, only cars with a green sticker can drive , with exceptions for some yellow sticker cars.

8. How to register your vehicle in Germany?

To register your vehicle in Germany, follow these steps:

Contact your insurance to know how long your vehicle stays insured before registration in Germany.
Get an eVB-Nummer. This free number (Elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) proves your vehicle is insured.
Make an appointment at the TÜV. This technical inspection is mandatory every two years and costs between €120 and €150 depending on the region and TÜV. For new cars, the first inspection occurs after three years, then every two years.
Visit the registration office (Zulassungsstelle): Bring the papers from the technical inspection (TÜV), the eVB-Nummer, your registration document, and your passport or ID card to obtain your license plate. Fees for a license plate vary but expect to pay between €20 and €30 per plate.

9. Is it mandatory to have winter tires? What are the rules?

In Germany, it is forbidden to drive with summer tires when winter conditions (snow, ice, etc.) are present. However, when winter is mild, snow tires are not mandatory, but it is recommended to have tires suitable for the conditions.

Fines may be imposed in the following cases:

€60 and one point deduction if you drive without snow tires when winter conditions are present.
€75 and one point deduction if you allowed the use of an unsuitable vehicle.
€80 and one point deduction if you block traffic.
€100 and one point deduction if it endangers others.
€120 and one point deduction if an accident occurs.

Your vehicle must be completely cleared of snow or ice. In case of an accident, you are held responsible and may be fined, which could lead to a point deduction under certain conditions.

Driving with an uncleared windshield or windows results in a €25 fine.
Snow on the roof results in a €25 fine.
License plate not cleared of snow results in a €10 fine.
Failure to maintain safe distances can results in a fine up to €320, two points, and a driving ban in some cases.
Incorrect use of headlights results in a fine of €20 to €35.
Using the engine to defrost results in a fine of €80.

It is important to be aware that your insurance may refuse to cover you in case of accidents if you used “summer” tires in snowy conditions, as you should have been driving with snow tires according to the law. Therefore, it is advisable to use “winter” tires from October until spring.

You can consult www.reifen-vor-ort.de to find good tires. Select the tires you want, enter your postal code, and you will find points of sale in your area.

10. Vehicle tax?

If you reside in Germany, you are obliged to pay the Kfz-Steuer (vehicle tax). This tax varies depending on the date of first registration, the engine size, the type of propulsion, and the CO2 emissions rate of your vehicle. You can visit the official German customs website Zoll.de to calculate your vehicle tax.

11. How to secure your vehicle in Germany?

It is mandatory to have a warning triangle, a reflective vest, and a first aid kit in your car. These items will be frequently checked in Germany. Do not forget the ecological sticker that must be displayed on your windshield.

12. I have an accident in Germany: What should I do?

If you happen to have a car accident, you must follow certain steps to ensure safety and comply with German laws.

Do not leave the scene: Leaving the accident scene without following the steps below may be considered a hit-and-run, punishable by severe penalties.
Secure the accident area: Stop the vehicle, activate hazard lights, place the warning triangle, and wear a reflective vest.
Assess injuries and call for help: The emergency number is 112.
Call the police (number 110): The police will prepare an official report that can be useful for insurance claims. If the accident is minor and there are no injuries, the police may not come, but you should still call

Please note that these are general recommendations and that the steps may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident.

13. Bonus and malus in Germany?

When discussing car bonuses in Germany, we refer to the SF-Klasse (Schadenfreiheitsklasse). There are several SF classes (from 1 to 50), and these influence the premium of your car insurance. Your class depends on the number of years without an accident.

With each accident-free year, you move up a level. The higher your level, the lower your insurance premium will be. If you are insuring a car for the first time and have held a driver's license for less than three years, your insurance premium will be the highest (SF ½ and SF0).

You can transfer your German bonus in two specific cases: To a close relative or a person living in the same household.

Conclusion

It is important to properly insure your vehicle. Our experts are available to help you choose the car insurance that best suits your situation.