What does it cost to import a car to Germany from France or Denmark?

Full 2026 guide to importing a used car to Germany from France or Denmark: exact documents, taxes and fees, step-by-step, and the traps that cost buyers thousands.

What paperwork do I need to import a car to Germany?

Foreign registration certificates; Contract (ADAC bilingual template helps); COC — with it, Zulassung is routine; without it, a §21 StVZO Vollgutachten at TÜV/DEKRA (~€100–800); eVB electronic insurance confirmation (mandatory before registration)

Importing a car to Germany from France or Denmark

Germany has no registration tax, so an EU import can be cheap to register — the catch is the COC (or a §21 inspection) and getting the car home legally.

Paperwork difficulty: Moderate

Documents you need

Foreign registration certificates
Contract (ADAC bilingual template helps)
COC — with it, Zulassung is routine; without it, a §21 StVZO Vollgutachten at TÜV/DEKRA (~€100–800)
eVB electronic insurance confirmation (mandatory before registration)

What it costs

Registration (Zulassung)

~€30–60 + plates ~€30, no registration tax

§21 inspection (if no COC)

~€100–800

HU main inspection

~€150 if the car is > 3 years

Getting it home

Use the seller-country export/transit plates — German Kurzzeitkennzeichen is NOT valid to collect a car in France/Benelux

Step by step

Buy the car and fit seller-country transit plates + insurance
Get an HU / §21 inspection if needed
Register at the Zulassungsstelle with your eVB
Collect your plates

Top traps to avoid

⚠ Trap Driving home on a German Kurzzeitkennzeichen — it's illegal in France/Benelux, risking fines/seizure.

⚠ Trap No COC → a §21 cost-and-delay surprise.

⚠ Trap Danish cars sold ex-registration-tax are genuine bargains pre-tax — a real opportunity for export.

The VAT rule that costs thousands

Across every corridor, one EU rule costs buyers thousands: a vehicle that is less than 6 months old OR has under 6,000 km counts as 'new' and VAT is due in your destination country at your rate — whatever the price, even from a private seller. And a 'VAT-qualifying' (ex-lease/company) car should be bought net by a VAT-registered business, not at the gross price. When in doubt, get the VAT treatment in writing before you pay.

Before you import

Figures are indicative for 2026 from official sources; regional and annually-indexed amounts change — verify before you commit. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.

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