Registering a vehicle (car registration)

When you want to use a new vehicle on public roads in Germany for the first time, it must be registered (zugelassen). After registration, you receive the registration documents and a licence plate; Berlin also lets you choose or reserve a plate number, and Stuttgart lets you apply for a specific letter-number combination. 125

Who needs this

• This procedure is for a new vehicle that has never been registered before. Berlin also says this includes trailers. 12
• In Berlin, the vehicle must be new and your main residence must be in Berlin; for companies or associations, the seat or branch must be in Berlin. 1
• In Hamburg, your main residence must be in Hamburg; for companies, the business seat or branch must be in Hamburg. 2
• In Stuttgart, registration is done at the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle, not at the Bürgerbüro. 5

Step by step

1. Prepare the required documents and choose whether you will apply online or in person. Berlin offers both options; Hamburg mentions the online service and in-person booking; Stuttgart describes the in-person procedure. 125
2. If you apply online in Berlin, you need a BundID account or guest access, and you must authenticate digitally. You need an electronic ID card, an electronic residence permit (eAT), or an EU citizen card (eID-Karte) with activated online ID function; legal persons use a business account (MUK) and an Elster certificate. 1
3. If you apply online in Berlin, you enter the data in the portal, can choose or reserve a licence plate, receive a temporary registration document, print it, attach it visibly in the vehicle, have the plates made by a service provider, and then receive the registration papers and seals by post a few days later. 1
4. In Hamburg, you book an appointment online, confirm the reserved appointment by email, bring the documents to the LBV, scan the QR code of the appointment confirmation on site, wait to be called, and then the application is processed. Hamburg also offers online registration via i-Kfz. 2
5. In Stuttgart, you submit the documents at the counter, the office checks whether there are fee or tax arrears, retrieves the insurance data via the eVB number, prints the vehicle documents, you pay at the cash machine, have the plates made, and then the plates are stamped at the registration office. 5

Documents

• Berlin: application for first registration; identity document; Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II; EG-Übereinstimmungsbescheinigung (CoC) or data confirmation or full inspection report; proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance via eVB; SEPA direct debit mandate for motor vehicle tax. For in-person applications, Berlin asks for a passport or ID card with registration certificate; for companies and associations, additional ID documents of the management are required. 1
• Hamburg: valid identity card, electronic residence permit, or passport with current registration certificate; Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II if filled out by the manufacturer; CoC paper or EWG conformity certificate; eVB code; original SEPA combined mandate for motor vehicle tax; appointment confirmation. For a representative, Hamburg requires a power of attorney, a copy of the authorising person’s ID, and the representative’s original ID. For companies or associations, proof of the company or association is required. 2
• Stuttgart: identity card or passport; eVB number; SEPA mandate for motor vehicle tax; Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II or proof of national type approval by a data confirmation from the manufacturer; EG-Übereinstimmungsbescheinigung (CoC); for leased or financed vehicles, the financing or leasing bank must send the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II by post. Representatives need a power of attorney, the SEPA mandate, their own ID, and the authorising person’s ID. 5

Cost and time

• Berlin: 30.60 euros minimum for in-person applications and 22.22 euros for online applications; the fee can be higher depending on the case. Berlin does not give a price for licence plate making. 1
• Hamburg: the fee for first registration is between 26.30 euros and 60.00 euros; the exact amount is set on site based on the complete documents. 2
• Hamburg says the neuzulassung is usually immediate. 2

Deadlines

• Hamburg states that there are no deadlines. 2

City by city

• Berlin: online registration is available with BundID guest access, and Berlin can assign a free Berlin licence plate of your choice. Registration papers and seals are sent by post a few days after online registration. 1
• Hamburg: you need a Hauptwohnsitz in Hamburg, can register via the LBV appointment system or online via i-Kfz, and the office may check the vehicle’s identity on site. 2
• Stuttgart: registration is done only at the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle, and in Stuttgart you can apply for a specific letter-number combination for the plate during the process. 5