Buying, registering and maintaining a car in Germany: instructions for Ukrainians

Ukrainians with temporary protection can buy and register cars in Germany. Find out what documents you need, how much registration costs, and what types of insurance you should take out

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Most Ukrainians who have received temporary protection in Germany use their own cars with Ukrainian license plates or public transport within the country. However, the opportunity to purchase a newer car at a reasonable price encourages them to consider buying a car in their place of temporary residence. We will tell you everything you need to know about buying a car in Germany for Ukrainian refugees in this article.

Read also:

– Working in Germany – the most popular jobs for immigrants.

– Transition from paragraph 24 for Ukrainians in Germany – what are the options?

– Family reunification in Germany – who can get a residence permit and how to do it.

Remember that cars with Ukrainian license plates in Europe must have international insurance – a Green Card. It is important to take out a policy only with a licensed insurer. The most convenient way to do this is online. On Visit Ukraine, you can take out insurance for a period of 15 days to 1 year. Select the required period and purchase a licensed insurance policy for your car in 5 minutes.

Can Ukrainians with temporary protection buy a car in Germany?

Yes, Ukrainians have the right to purchase a car in Germany even without German citizenship or permanent residence. All you need is:

● registration at your place of residence (Anmeldung),

● a document confirming your temporary protection status.

In some cases, you may also be asked for a tax number (Steuer-ID) and a German bank account — usually, those who receive payments from the Jobcenter already have them.

Important to remember: The Jobcenter may consider the purchase of an overly expensive car to be “unaffordable” for a person living on state assistance. The approximate cost limit for Ukrainians is €7,500. In certain situations, this limit can be raised, for example, if the car is needed by a large family or a person with a disability.

How to buy a car in Germany: required documents

According to standard rules, to buy a car, you must have the following with you:

– driver's license;

– foreign passport (it is better to prepare an official translation of your Ukrainian passport, as the Zulassungsstelle (MREV) may request it when registering the car).

If you plan to buy on behalf of a third party, you must provide an official power of attorney from them, translated and certified by a notary.

Please note: requirements for buyers and the list of necessary documents may vary in different German states.

After completing the purchase/sale procedure, the buyer must be issued the following documents:

– Vehicle registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I);

– Vehicle registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II);

– Purchase agreement (Kaufvertrag). It must include the note “kein Unfallschaden,” which indicates that the vehicle is in good working order and is covered by the seller's warranty;

– Document confirming the deregistration of the car (Abmeldebescheinigung);

– Technical inspection certificate (TÜV);

– Insurance policy (Doppelkarte);

– Certificate of the vehicle's emission level (environmental friendliness) (ASU Abgasuntersuchung).

Please note: sometimes there is a fraudulent “German scheme” when a fictitious person is indicated in the contract. This may mean that the car is stolen or is being sold by an illegal dealer.

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How to register a car in Germany?

After completing the sale and receiving all the documents, the purchased car must be registered and recorded, obtain a license plate, and purchase a special sticker that reflects the emission level. This will cost about 100 euros. The car must be re-registered after purchase, as driving an unregistered vehicle is subject to administrative penalties.

Car registration takes place at the Zulassungsstelle (registration office). Ukrainians can make an appointment with a specialist online for a specific time or come in person and wait in line. You must have the complete set of documents that you received when you purchased the car and your insurance policy with you. When registering a car to a new owner, a new license plate is issued, which can be made on the spot in the commercial department.

The license plate must have the appropriate stickers indicating the federal state where the car was registered and the environmental emission level.

Key steps:

1. Verify that the seller has deregistered the car.

2. Prepare all the necessary documents (including the insurance policy).

3. Pay approximately €100 for processing the documents, new license plates, and the emissions sticker.

4. Receive the new license plates and registration certificate.

Remember: it is illegal to drive an unregistered car.

Read also: Emigration to Germany — how can Ukrainians move there in 2025?

Car insurance and maintenance in Germany: what Ukrainians need to know

Car insurance is mandatory in Germany. Please note that without car insurance, it is impossible to obtain a license plate in Germany.

The price of car insurance ranges from €150 to €1,200 and depends on the type of car, engine size, driver experience, the term for which the car insurance is issued, and other factors.

If you plan to travel outside Germany in your car, you will also need a Green Card — international car insurance that is valid in more than 40 countries, including EU countries. And if you plan to enter Ukraine, it would be a good idea to take out Mini Hull insurance, which, depending on the coverage you choose, will protect you from unforeseen expenses, for example, in the event of damage to your car during bad weather, the consequences of military action, or a traffic accident. The most convenient way to purchase such insurance is online at Visit Ukraine: you can choose a period of validity from 15 days to a year and receive a licensed policy in a few minutes.

Vehicle inspections must be carried out at any authorized service center (Werkstatt) once every two years. Typically, a vehicle inspection costs between €80 and €150.

In Germany, you also have to pay a transport tax, the amount of which depends on the engine power and environmental friendliness of the car. On average, this will cost around €150 per year.

Where to buy used cars in Germany: websites, car markets, car dealerships

You can search for a car in Germany both online on special resources and websites, and offline. The most popular car markets are located in the cities of Essen and Cologne.

You can also buy a used car “in person” through a car dealership. There are three types of car dealerships in Germany: official dealers, large resellers, and private networks.

However, online sales are much more widespread in Germany, so websites usually offer a wider selection of cars for any budget and taste.

The most popular websites for finding used cars in Germany are

– www.autoscout24.de (.com.ua)

– www.mobile.de

– Webmobil24

– Autobild.de

– Gebrauchtwagen.de

– Quoka.de

– Kalaydo.de

– Ebay.Motors

– webauto.de

– motoso.de

– carstart.de

– pkw.de

– www.auto.de

Buying directly from the owner often allows you to negotiate a better price. But be careful: private sellers are usually not responsible for the technical condition of the car. A car dealership or dealer will cost more, but you will get a legally sound transaction and at least a one-year warranty.

We remind you! Germany is a leading country in the European Union that can guarantee a high standard of living not only for its citizens, but also for expats and migrants. People choose Germany for temporary or permanent relocation because of its strong economy, developed infrastructure, rich culture, and stability. Read about the cost of living in Germany in 2025 in our previous article.

Photo: Oneinchpunch/Depositphotos

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