Zulassungsstelle: one appointment, German plates

The final step: bring all documents to the Kfz-Zulassungsbehörde and leave with German number plates. Book your appointment early — waiting times can be 1–2 weeks.

✓ Verified: 15/08/2026

WHAT TO DO

Book an online appointment at your local Zulassungsstelle (based on your postcode)

Prepare the full document set (see list below)
Order number plates from the Schilderpräger — ideally before your appointment
Sign the SEPA direct debit mandate for Kfz-Steuer (vehicle tax) at the office
Collect Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II — your car is officially registered

AUTHORITY

Kfz-Zulassungsbehörde / Straßenverkehrsamt

Municipal authority

The vehicle registration office is tied to your district. Enter your postcode and we will show yours.

Enter 5 digits — we show your local office

Where to go in your city →

DOCUMENTS 7

Personalausweis or passport + Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate)
CoC / EG-Übereinstimmungsbescheinigung (original)
Foreign Fahrzeugbrief (vehicle title — will be kept permanently)
Foreign Fahrzeugschein (registration document — will be kept permanently)
eVB number (7-character code — write it down, no printout needed)
HU-Bescheinigung (if you had the HU done)
SEPA-Lastschriftmandat (signed at the office)

COSTS

€

Zulassungsgebühr (registration fee) €26–60

Check your local Zulassungsstelle website for exact fee
€

Number plates (Nummernschilder) €20–35

Paid separately at the Schilderpräger
€

Kfz-Steuer (annual vehicle tax) from €20/year

Depends on engine size and emissions class; collected via SEPA direct debit

Book early — this is the bottleneck

German Zulassungsstellen are busy. Online appointments are mandatory — walk-ins mean 2–3 hours waiting with no guarantee of being seen. Allow 1–2 weeks of lead time.

Find your Zulassungsstelle via your city’s website or by postcode (Straßenverkehrsamt / Landratsamt).

Prepare documents the night before

One missing document means losing your appointment and waiting for a new one. Lay everything out in advance and cross-check against the list above.

What happens at the office

Check in at reception, get a queue number
Clerk checks documents and enters the eVB code
You sign the SEPA direct debit mandate for vehicle tax
Receive Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II
Collect plates from the Schilderpräger and attach them

› Details and tips

👨🏻‍💻

Max recommends:

I ordered the plates at the Schilderpräger in the building before my number was called. When I came out of the office with the documents, the plates were ready. Total time: 45 minutes.

👩🏼‍💼

Lea recommends:

I didn't know the foreign originals would be kept permanently. I wish I'd made copies first — they go to the authority forever. Copy everything before your appointment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I register online? ▾

Partially — via the i-Kfz portal if you have an activated eID (German Personalausweis with online function, PIN required). For initial registration of a foreign vehicle, a personal visit is usually required as the original foreign documents must be surrendered physically.

What happens to the original foreign documents? ▾

The foreign Fahrzeugbrief and Fahrzeugschein are permanently kept by the Zulassungsstelle. The office notifies the country of origin to de-register the vehicle there. You receive Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (keep in the car at all times) and Teil II (store safely at home).

Can I choose my number plate? ▾

You can choose the letters and numbers after the district prefix (Kürzel). The prefix is fixed by your registration district. Your chosen combination is made on the spot by the Schilderpräger in 5–15 minutes.