Buying a Car Abroad: What You Need to Know Before the First Step

Why buy abroad? Assessing the opportunities and limits realistically

In some EU countries, used-car prices are structurally lower than in Germany — due to different vehicle tax models, demand conditions or market sizes. Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Poland in particular are regularly cited as attractive purchasing markets. Spain is known for well-preserved, sun-protected vehicles.

The actual advantage shrinks, however, as soon as all the additional costs are factored in:

• Travel costs, or the cost of an on-site pre-purchase inspection
• Transport or a delivery drive to Germany
• Costs for short-term or transit licence plates in the country of origin
• A new general inspection (HU), if the foreign one is not recognised
• Registration fees and any document translation costs
• Technical adjustments (headlight alignment for German right-hand traffic, plate holders)

As a rough guide: below a price difference of roughly €1,000 to €2,000, the extra effort does not pay off in most cases — with high-value vehicles the picture can look different.

Step 1: The pre-purchase inspection — the most important and most often skipped step

What is already risky with a domestic purchase becomes even more critical when buying abroad: buying a vehicle without an independent inspection. Defects that only come to light after transport are more expensive to claim against — and with a private purchase, often impossible to reverse at all.

Anyone wanting to buy a vehicle abroad should plan an independent inspection directly at the seller before making a binding decision. checkdenwagen.de carries out on-site checks throughout Germany from €289 incl. VAT and travel; for vehicles elsewhere in Europe, an inspection can be arranged on request.

The inspection should cover the following:

• Bodywork condition (panel gaps, paint, signs of accidents)
• Technical condition (engine, transmission, brakes, suspension)
• Document check (vehicle registration, service booklet, COC)
• Plausibility of the mileage

Anyone who skips this step saves time and money in the short term — and risks significantly higher costs in the long run.

Step 2: The COC document (Certificate of Conformity)

The COC is a document issued by the manufacturer confirming that the vehicle conforms to an EU-wide approved type. It makes registration in Germany considerably easier, because it serves as proof of type approval and removes the need for a costly individual approval (§21 StVZO).

Not all vehicles have a COC — older vehicles in particular, vehicles with special equipment, or vehicles originally built for a non-EU market may not have a COC. In that case, an individual approval by a TÜV or DEKRA inspector is required, which means additional time and cost.

Clarify before buying:

• Is a COC available? If so: original or copy? (prefer the original)
• Do the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the COC and on the vehicle match?
• Is the COC issued for the German market or for another EU country?

Step 3: Transport — short-term licence plates and delivery

After the purchase, the vehicle must be brought to Germany. There are several ways to do this:

Short-term licence plate in the country of origin: Many EU countries allow a temporary plate to be issued for the transfer. Rules, validity periods and costs vary by country — the local authority or the seller can provide information on this.

Export licence plate (Germany): Alternatively, a German export licence plate can be applied for. It is valid for a limited time and permits the transfer to Germany. The prerequisite is motor insurance that also covers the export plate.

Transport company: Anyone who does not want to or cannot drive the vehicle themselves hires a vehicle transporter. This is more expensive but more straightforward — especially for longer distances or when the vehicle is no longer roadworthy.

Before the transfer, make sure that:

• Motor third-party liability insurance applies to the transport journey
• The vehicle is technically capable of covering the distance (especially risky with older or uninspected vehicles)
• All original documents are with the driver

Step 4: Customs and taxes — what applies to EU imports

Within the European Union, no import duty generally applies when buying a used car between private individuals. The vehicle can be brought to Germany duty-free.

The tax treatment is more nuanced:

• Private purchase in an EU country → private individual in Germany: As a rule, no VAT issue in Germany, since VAT was already settled in the country of origin or no VAT applies to a private sale.
• Purchase from a commercial dealer in another EU country: The VAT of the country of origin is usually included in the price. Whether and how acquisition tax applies in Germany depends on the circumstances.
• New cars from another EU country: Special rules on intra-Community acquisition tax apply here.

Tax details vary considerably from case to case. For binding information, the responsible tax office (Finanzamt) is the right point of contact — not this page. The information may be out of date; always check the current rules with the customs office or tax office.

Step 5: Registration in Germany

After arriving in Germany, the vehicle must be registered. For this, the registration office usually requires:

• The original foreign vehicle registration document (with deregistration confirmation from the country of origin)
• The COC document or — if not available — proof of an individual approval (§21 StVZO)
• Proof of a valid German general inspection (HU) (if the foreign one is not recognised)
• The purchase contract
• Valid motor third-party liability insurance (eVB number)
• ID card or passport of the new owner

Some registration offices require a certified translation for documents in foreign languages. It is advisable to briefly check with the responsible registration office before registering which documents are specifically needed.

Risks of a remote purchase: what buyers need to watch out for in particular

The biggest difference from a local purchase is the limited ability to inspect the vehicle and reverse the deal:

Complaints and returns: With private purchases from another EU country, reversing the deal in the event of defects is considerably more difficult than at home. Some countries have different consumer protection standards.

Language barrier: Documents, the purchase contract and communication with the seller all run in the language of the country of origin. Translation errors or misunderstandings can become expensive.

Unknown damage history: Accidents that were not reported or repaired in another country may not show up in German VIN reports.

Hidden defects: A vehicle that looks good abroad may have technical problems that only reveal themselves after transport.

The conclusion is clear: an independent inspection before the purchase is even more important when buying abroad than at home.