Anyone registering, re-registering or importing a car in Germany usually wants to know one thing first: how much does vehicle registration cost at the registration authority? The official administrative fees are generally manageable and often remain in the double-digit range. Costs increase, however, when additional items such as number plates and environmental stickers are added — or, in the worst case, when required vehicle documents are missing. This guide gives you a clear overview of vehicle registration costs in Germany in 2026: for registration, re-registration and deregistration, online or in person, including a practical cost example and the hidden costs that many vehicle owners overlook.
What Are Vehicle Registration Costs in Germany?
Vehicle registration costs are the administrative fees charged when a vehicle is registered, re-registered or deregistered at the vehicle registration authority in Germany. Their amount is regulated by the nationwide fee schedule for road traffic measures, known as the GebOSt. As a rule of thumb in 2026, you should expect around €30 for a new registration in person and approximately €12.80 online via the i-Kfz portal.
The basic administrative fees are regulated nationwide by the GebOSt, so there are no major regional differences in the fee itself. In practice, however, small variations between individual registration authorities are possible. The most reliable information always comes from your local vehicle registration office. Additional items may also apply that are not official administrative fees, such as the physical licence plates purchased from a plate maker.
Registration, Re-Registration, Deregistration: Fees at a Glance
Online vehicle registration in Germany is significantly cheaper than going to the registration authority in almost all cases. The following overview shows typical fees as approximate values, which may vary slightly depending on the registration office:
| Procedure | In person | Online (i-Kfz) |
|---|---|---|
| New registration / first registration | approx. €30 | approx. €12.80 |
| Transfer with change of owner and new licence plate | approx. €30 to €41 | from approx. €12.80 |
| Re-registration while keeping the licence plate | approx. €28 to €39 | from approx. €12.80 |
| Address change after moving | approx. €11 to €16 | from approx. €2 to €13 |
| Deregistration / taking the vehicle off the road | approx. €6 to €18 | from approx. €2.10 |
| Re-admission / re-registration after deregistration | approx. €25 to €38 | from approx. €12.80 |
Requirements for online vehicle registration in Germany include, among other things, an identity card with eID function, the security codes on the licence plates and vehicle registration documents, and the eVB number from the insurance provider.
What Additional Costs Should You Expect?
The official registration fee is rarely the only cost. You should also budget for the following additional expenses:
| Item | Typical costs |
|---|---|
| Personalised licence plate reservation and allocation | approx. €10.20 to €12.80 |
| Short-term licence plate fee, excluding insurance and plates | approx. €13 |
| Physical licence plates from a plate maker, per pair | approx. €20 to €35 |
| Environmental sticker | approx. €5–6 |
| Vehicle registration service, handling the process for you | up to approx. €170 |
In terms of official fees, a seasonal licence plate costs the same as a normal vehicle registration, around €30. Personalised licence plates and short-term licence plates are often forgotten when calculating the total cost.
Hidden Costs: When Documents Are Missing — COC and Vehicle Registration Document I/II
The most expensive vehicle registration costs are often not the official fees themselves, but the consequences of missing documents. Without complete paperwork, the registration authority may refuse the registration, and replacement documents cost both time and money.
| Missing document | Solution | Typical costs |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of Vehicle Registration Document I | Replacement at the registration authority | approx. €10 to €15 |
| Loss of Vehicle Registration Document II | Replacement including public notice procedure | approx. €30 to €71 |
| Missing COC document for EU import or re-import | Request a new COC from the manufacturer | online through COC Online |
The COC document, also known as the Certificate of Conformity, is especially important. For the registration of a vehicle imported or re-imported from another EU country, the German registration authority requires this document. If it is missing, vehicle registration is not possible. Your Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, can be used in advance to check whether the document is available. Learn more in the articles What is a COC document? and Where can I find the VIN number?
Calculation Example: How Much Does Vehicle Registration Cost in Total?
A typical example: you buy a used car in Germany and transfer it into your name with a new personalised licence plate.
- Transfer with change of owner and new licence plate, in person → approx. €35
- Personalised licence plate → approx. €10.20
- Licence plates, per pair → approx. €25
- Environmental sticker → approx. €5
- Total in person → approx. €75
- Comparison: same procedure online, without personalised licence plate → approx. €38
The official administrative fee therefore often accounts for less than half of the actual vehicle registration costs in Germany. Anyone who registers online and avoids a personalised licence plate can almost halve the total cost.
In 2026, the basic vehicle registration costs in Germany remain moderate: around €30 in person and approximately €12.80 online. With licence plates, environmental sticker and personalised licence plate, the practical total is usually between €40 and €80. The biggest cost factor is missing documentation, especially the COC document for imported vehicles. Checking everything in advance helps avoid repeated visits to the registration authority.
