Get Your eVB Number in Minutes
Registering a car in Germany? You need an eVB number first. Compare car insurance here, pick a provider, and your 7-character code arrives by email or SMS, usually within minutes.
Key German Terms You Will Hear
Tip for Newcomers
The eVB-Nummer is the first thing you need before going to the Zulassungsstelle. Without it, they will send you home. Get your car insurance sorted online, grab the code from your email, and then book your appointment. The whole insurance part takes less than 15 minutes if you do it digitally.
Compare Car Insurance & Get Your eVB
Enter your vehicle details below. After choosing a provider, your eVB number arrives by email or SMS.
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Security: All data is transmitted with SSL encryption.
What Exactly is an eVB Number?
The eVB-Nummer (elektronische Versicherungsbestaetigung) is a 7-character alphanumeric code that proves you have valid car liability insurance in Germany. Think of it as a digital receipt from your insurer that says "yes, this person is covered."
Germany introduced this system in 2008, replacing the old paper insurance slips (Doppelkarte). Today, the Zulassungsstelle checks your insurance status electronically using this code. No code, no license plates, no legal driving.
You need an eVB when you:
Key facts:
How to Get Your eVB Number: Step by Step
Compare Car Insurance
Use the comparison tool above. Enter your vehicle type, how many kilometers you drive per year, and what coverage you want (Haftpflicht only, or Teilkasko/Vollkasko as well). You will see quotes from multiple providers side by side.
Pick a Provider and Sign Up
Choose the offer that fits your budget and coverage needs. The application is fully digital for most providers. You fill in your personal details, confirm, and the contract is done. No paper forms, no postal mail.
Receive Your eVB Number
Within minutes of completing the contract, your 7-character eVB code lands in your inbox or arrives as an SMS. Check your spam folder if you do not see it right away. You can also find it in the insurer's online customer portal.
Head to the Zulassungsstelle
Bring your eVB number to the vehicle registration office along with the rest of your documents (see the checklist below). The clerk enters your code, verifies your insurance electronically, and you walk out with license plates.
What to Bring to the Zulassungsstelle
Having your eVB number is just one part of the puzzle. The Zulassungsstelle needs several documents to register your vehicle. Missing even one means another trip, so check this list before you go.
Always required:
- Your eVB number (the 7-character code)
- ID or passport
- Anmeldung (proof of address registration)
- Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (vehicle title document)
- SEPA direct debit form for vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer)
Depending on your situation:
- HU/AU report (vehicle inspection, if used car)
- COC document (Certificate of Conformity, for EU imports)
- Power of attorney (if someone else registers for you)
- Old license plates (if re-registering a used car)
Tip: Many Zulassungsstellen now require an appointment. Check your local office's website beforehand to avoid waiting in vain. In larger cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, walk-in service may not be available.
eVB Number for Expats and Foreigners
If you recently moved to Germany and want to register a car, the process works exactly the same for you. Your nationality does not affect how you get the eVB number or how much the insurance costs. Here is what expats should keep in mind:
No Schufa check needed
Car insurance in Germany does not require a credit check. You can get coverage even if you just arrived and have no German financial history.
Your driving history may count
Some German insurers accept proof of claims-free years from your home country. Ask your previous insurer for an official letter confirming your accident-free driving record. Not every German insurer accepts this, but it is worth asking because it can lower your premium.
SF-Klasse starts at 0 or 1/2
Without German driving history, you start with a low Schadenfreiheitsklasse (SF-Klasse), which means higher premiums at first. Each accident-free year in Germany improves your class and brings down the price. Read more about how this works in our car insurance comparison guide.
Anmeldung is required first
You must have a registered address (Anmeldung) before you can register a car. If you have not done this yet, visit your local Buergeramt first.
eVB Number Validity
eVB Number Validity
Your eVB number stays valid for 90 days from the date your insurer issues it. That is usually more than enough time to schedule an appointment at the Zulassungsstelle and complete registration.
If the 90 days pass and you have not registered yet, the number simply expires. Contact your insurer and they will issue a fresh code, usually within minutes and at no extra charge.
Lost Your eVB Number?
Lost Your eVB Number?
No problem. Your insurer can resend it via email or SMS right away. Most providers also store it in your online customer portal, so you can look it up yourself anytime.
Keep the email or SMS from your insurer saved somewhere safe. Screenshot it, bookmark it, or write it down. You will need the code at the Zulassungsstelle.
eVB Number FAQ
Common questions about the electronic insurance confirmation for vehicle registration in Germany
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Ready to Get Your eVB Number?
Compare car insurance, pick a provider, and receive your electronic insurance confirmation. Free, non-binding, and usually delivered within minutes.
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