Vehicle Insurance Germany 2026
Vehicle insurance in Germany is called KFZ-Versicherung, and at least third-party liability cover is mandatory before you can register or drive any motor vehicle. This hub explains what is required, what it costs, and how to insure a car, motorcycle, camper or van.
Key Takeaways
- Liability cover (Haftpflicht) is mandatory for every motor vehicle. Driving uninsured is a criminal offence under § 6 PflVG.
- You need an eVB number to register the vehicle. You get it instantly when you take out a policy.
- Partial (Teilkasko) and full (Vollkasko) cover are optional and protect your own vehicle.
- Illustrative cost: liability roughly 200 to 400 EUR per year, full cover 400 to 1,000 EUR (no rate guarantee).
- The same rules apply to cars, motorcycles, mopeds, vans and campers. Only the price changes.
Vehicle insurance is mandatory in Germany
You cannot legally register or drive a motor vehicle in Germany without at least third-party liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung). Under § 6 PflVG, using an uninsured vehicle on public roads is a criminal offence and can be punished with a fine or up to one year in prison.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Independent EditorialOur independent editorial team carefully reviews all information and regularly updates the content.
Key term: KFZ-Versicherung
KFZ stands for "Kraftfahrzeug", which simply means motor vehicle. So KFZ-Versicherung is the German word for vehicle insurance. The term covers cars, motorcycles, trucks and any other powered vehicle. If you only have a car, people usually say car insurance, but the legal framework is identical.
Which Vehicles Need Insurance?
The rule is simple: if it has a motor and goes on public roads, it needs at least liability cover. Here is how it plays out for the most common vehicle types.
Cars
Standard liability plus optional Teilkasko or Vollkasko. The biggest group of policies.
Motorcycles & mopeds
Often insured with a seasonal plate (Saisonkennzeichen), so you only pay for the riding months.
Vans & trucks
Same structure as cars; commercial use and weight class affect the premium.
Campers & motorhomes
Insurable as a leisure vehicle; mileage is usually low, which can keep the price down.
E-scooters
Faster e-scooters need an insurance sticker (Versicherungsplakette) renewed each year.
Trailers
A trailer with its own registration needs its own liability policy.
The Three Cover Levels at a Glance
Every vehicle policy is built from these three levels. One is required, two are optional. For a deeper breakdown, see our guide to the coverage types.
Haftpflicht
Third-party liability
Mandatory. Pays for damage you cause to other people, vehicles and property.
Teilkasko
Partial coverage
Protects your own vehicle against theft, fire, storm, glass and animal collisions.
Vollkasko
Full coverage
Everything in Teilkasko plus self-caused accidents and vandalism.
Which level fits your vehicle?
Older vehicles (10+ years), low value, tight budget.
Mid-age vehicles (4 to 10 years), moderate value.
New, high-value, leased or financed vehicles.
What Does It Cost?
There is no fixed price. Your premium depends on the no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse), vehicle type class, postcode and driver profile. The figures below are illustrative annual ranges, not quotes.
| Cover level | Illustrative range per year | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Liability (Haftpflicht) | approx. 200 to 400 EUR | All vehicles (mandatory) |
| + Partial (Teilkasko) | + approx. 100 to 300 EUR | Mid-value vehicles |
| Full (Vollkasko) | approx. 400 to 1,000 EUR | New, leased or financed vehicles |
Illustrative ranges only, no rate guarantee. New drivers in SF-class 0 pay considerably more. See our cost guide for the full picture.
How to Insure a Vehicle as a Newcomer
1. Register your address (Anmeldung)
Most insurers need a German registration address before they issue a policy. Sort your Anmeldung first.
2. Compare and choose a policy
Use a free comparison to see liability, Teilkasko and Vollkasko offers side by side. No Schufa check is needed for the quote.
3. Get your eVB number
When you sign up, the insurer sends a 7-character eVB code, usually by email or SMS, within minutes.
4. Register the vehicle (Zulassung)
Take the eVB to the Zulassungsstelle with your ID, the vehicle papers and proof of address to get your plates.
No-claims tip: If you come from an EU or EEA country, your insurer must recognise your no-claims years (§ 5c PflVG). Coming from outside the EEA (for example Turkey or the USA), recognition is voluntary goodwill (Kulanz). Ask the insurer and bring proof of your claim-free years.
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Vehicle Insurance Comparison
All cover types, free to use, eVB included
KFZ-Versicherungsvergleich wird geladen...
Data Source & Transparency
The tariff data on this page is provided by CHECK24 and Tarifcheck. We do not alter prices, rankings, or how results are displayed.
Our role:
We provide editorial explanations and decision-making guidance. The actual tariff calculation and mediation is done by our partners.
What we do not cover:
Not all providers in the market are included in this comparison. Regional providers or specialized tariffs may be missing.
Vehicle Insurance Questions
Which vehicles need insurance in Germany?
Every motorised vehicle used on public roads needs at least liability insurance (Haftpflicht): cars, motorcycles, mopeds, trucks, buses, campers, and faster e-scooters. Bicycles and non-powered trailers without their own registration do not need a separate vehicle policy.
Is vehicle insurance mandatory in Germany?
Yes. Third-party liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht) is required by law before you can register or drive a vehicle. Using an uninsured vehicle on public roads is a criminal offence under § 6 PflVG, punishable by a fine or up to one year in prison.
What is an eVB number and how do I get one?
The eVB (elektronische Versicherungsbestaetigung) is a 7-character code that proves you have valid liability cover. You receive it automatically, usually by email or SMS, when you take out a policy. You need it to register the vehicle at the Zulassungsstelle.
How much does vehicle insurance cost in Germany?
Illustrative ranges (no rate guarantee): liability roughly 200 to 400 EUR per year, partial coverage adds about 100 to 300 EUR, and full coverage can reach 400 to 1,000 EUR. The exact price depends on your no-claims class, vehicle type, postcode and driver profile. Use the free comparison to get a personalised quote.
Can I insure a vehicle in Germany without German residency?
You normally need a German registration address (Anmeldung) before an insurer will issue a policy and an eVB. EU citizens may find insurers that accept a temporary registration; non-EU residents usually have to register first. Always ask the insurer before you sign.
Does my German vehicle insurance cover me abroad?
Yes. German liability cover applies in all EU and EEA countries and in the wider Green Card system. Abroad, the cover meets at least the legal minimum of the country you are in. For destinations outside the Green Card area, ask your insurer about extra cover before you travel.
When can I switch vehicle insurance?
Most contracts run for a calendar year and renew automatically. The standard cancellation deadline is 30 November for a change on 1 January. A special right to cancel also applies after a premium increase, after a claim, or when you buy or sell a vehicle. Finanztip reports savings of up to 50 percent when switching (a maximum-case example).
Is electric or motorcycle insurance different?
The structure is the same (liability, partial, full), but pricing differs. Electric cars are no longer automatically cheaper because battery repairs are costly. Motorcycles often use seasonal plates (Saisonkennzeichen) so you only pay for the months you ride. The comparison tool handles all vehicle types.
Sources & Methodology
We explain the German vehicle-insurance rules in plain English and cross-check every figure against independent, official sources. Prices are illustrative ranges, never guaranteed quotes, because the actual premium is always calculated individually by the insurer.
- § 6 PflVG (Pflichtversicherungsgesetz): the obligation to insure and the penalty for using an uninsured vehicle.
- Stiftung Warentest and Finanztip: independent cost benchmarks and switching savings.
- ADAC: registration, eVB and the no-claims (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) system.
- Live tariff data from our partners CHECK24 and Tarifcheck. We do not influence prices or rankings.
Related Guides
Coverage Types Explained
Haftpflicht, Teilkasko and Vollkasko in detail.
Cost Guide
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Kasko Guide
Teilkasko vs Vollkasko, what each one covers.
Expat Guide 2026
No-claims recognition and tips for newcomers.
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