Is car insurance mandatory in Germany?

Yes. Under §1 PflVG, every vehicle kept in Germany must hold mandatory Kfz-Haftpflicht before registration or use on public roads. Driving uninsured is a criminal offence under §6 PflVG.

Can I get German car insurance as a non-EU citizen?

Yes. Nationality does not matter. You need a valid driving licence (non-EU licences last 6 months from Anmeldung, then must be converted), proof of identity, vehicle papers, and a German IBAN.

How much is car insurance in Germany in 2026?

Industry averages (Settle in Berlin, GDV-aligned, 13.05.2026): about 258 € per year for Haftpflicht and 587 € for Vollkasko. Cheap-tier ranges (Feather, 24.02.2026): Haftpflicht 465 € – 509 €, Vollkasko 906 € – 942 €. Your price depends on SF-Klasse, Typklasse, Regionalklasse, mileage, and driver circle.

Can I transfer my foreign no-claims bonus?

EU/EEA, UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Bosnia & Herzegovina histories transfer at selected carriers with a written claim-free letter. US, Canada, Australia, and Asian histories transfer case-by-case. Over 23 with no proof opens the SF3 starting class — roughly 48 % off the base rate.

What is an eVB-Nummer and how do I get one?

A 7-character electronic confirmation (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) that proves Kfz-Haftpflicht cover. The Kfz-Zulassungsstelle requires it for vehicle registration (§29 FZV). DigiCare issues it within 5 minutes of sign-up by SMS or email.

What do Haftpflicht, Teilkasko, and Vollkasko mean?

Haftpflicht is mandatory third-party liability (statutory minimums 7.500.000 € personal injury, 1.300.000 € property, 50.000 € financial loss per Anlage zu §4 PflVG). Teilkasko adds theft, fire, glass, weather, and wildlife collisions. Vollkasko adds self-caused collision damage and vandalism on your own car.

When can I switch my car insurance in Germany?

Calendar-year policies must be cancelled by 30.11. (date of receipt at the insurer). You also hold a Sonderkündigungsrecht on a premium increase (VVG §40, one month from notification), a settled claim (VVG §92, one month from conclusion of settlement negotiations), or a vehicle sale (AKB / PflVG §14, effective on keeper transfer).

Does DigiCare work with US military / SOFA-status drivers?

Yes. SOFA keepers stay on USAREUR plates while SOFA is active and register through the USAREUR Registry of Motor Vehicles. On retirement or DoD-civilian transition, you must convert to German plates and a German policy within 6 months. Our eligibility filter routes you to the SOFA path.

Updated: 13.05.2026

Car insurance in Germany — in English. eVB in 5 minutes.

Compare 11 German motor carriers in English, transfer your foreign no-claims bonus, and get the eVB-Nummer (insurance confirmation issued to register your vehicle) ready for the Zulassungsstelle the same day. Independent broker licensed under §34d GewO, updated for the 2026 contract year.

Car insurance in Germany in English — get your eVB in 5 minutes — DigiCare 2026

JAEG 2026
€77,400
GKV base rate
14.6%
Familienversicherung
€565/mo

Tell us about you — find your right path

Four short questions and we route you to the coverage tier, SF-Klasse (no-claims discount class) starting position, and eVB workflow that fits your situation. No account needed.

questions

id licence_origin
label Where was your driving licence issued?
options
- EU / EEA
- UK (post-Brexit)
- Non-EU (India, Turkey, US, Brazil, others)
- SOFA / US military (DoD)
id claim_free_years_with_proof
label How many claim-free years can you document?
options
- 0 (first policy)
- 1 to 4 years
- 5 to 11 years
- 12+ years
id months_since_anmeldung
label How long since your Anmeldung at a German address?
options
- Less than 4 weeks
- 1 to 6 months
- Over 6 months
id vehicle_situation
label What will you drive?
options
- First German car
- Switching from a German policy
- SOFA POV on US plates

outcomes

id eu_full_transfer
label EU / EEA licence + 5+ proof years
coverageTierRecommendation Haftpflicht-only (older cars) or Haftpflicht + Vollkasko (newer/financed)
sfStart Full 1:1 SF-Klasse transfer at most carriers
evbAction eVB issued within 5 minutes after carrier confirms cover
ctaLabel Compare your price
ctaHref #pricingScenarios
id uk_full_transfer
label UK licence + UK no-claims letter
coverageTierRecommendation Haftpflicht + Vollkasko (UK households typically arrive with a recent vehicle)
sfStart Full transfer at selected carriers; written UK confirmation accepted in English
evbAction eVB issued within 5 minutes after carrier confirms cover
ctaLabel Transfer my UK no-claims
ctaHref #noClaimsTransfer
id non_eu_sf3
label Non-EU licence, over 23, no documented proof
coverageTierRecommendation Haftpflicht (and Teilkasko for used cars over 8 years)
sfStart SF3 starting class at eligible carriers — about 48 % off the SF0 base
evbAction eVB issued within 5 minutes; convert your non-EU licence before the 6-month deadline from Anmeldung
ctaLabel Start at SF3
ctaHref #noClaimsTransfer
id non_eu_sf0
label Non-EU licence, under 23 or under 1 year licensed
coverageTierRecommendation Haftpflicht-only, plus a Telematik-Tarif (driving-behaviour score)
sfStart SF0 start; Telematik-Tarif can recover up to 30 % within year one
evbAction eVB issued within 5 minutes
ctaLabel See pricing with Telematik
ctaHref #pricingScenarios
id sofa_pov
label SOFA POV (US military / DoD civilian)
coverageTierRecommendation USAREUR-registered POV while SOFA active; switch to German Haftpflicht on retirement or DoD-civilian transition
sfStart Stay on US plates while SOFA active; convert to a German policy within 6 months of status change
evbAction SOFA exception: USAREUR Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Form 190-1 + on-base safety inspection — standard eVB does not apply
ctaLabel Get your eVB number now
ctaHref #evbExplainer

footnote

Sources: Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) on validity of foreign driving licences in Germany; §1 PflVG; retrieved 13.05.2026.

Last updated: 13.05.2026

Haftpflicht, Teilkasko, Vollkasko — which one do you need in 2026?

German car insurance comes in three tiers. Only the first is mandatory. The other two are voluntary Kasko (own-damage cover) products you add on top.

Tier	What it covers	Statutory minimum (Anlage zu §4 PflVG)	Typical 2026 annual premium	Who needs it
Haftpflicht (mandatory third-party liability)	Personal injury, property damage, and pure financial loss you cause others while using the vehicle (§1 PflVG). Does not pay for your own car.	Personenschäden 7.500.000 €, Sachschäden 1.300.000 €, Vermögensschäden 50.000 €	250 € – 500 € (Feather range, 24.02.2026); 258 € industry average (Settle in Berlin, GDV-aligned)	Every keeper of a registered vehicle. Without it, registration is refused and driving is a criminal offence under §6 PflVG.
Teilkasko (partial comprehensive)	Theft, fire, explosion, glass breakage, storm, hail, lightning, flood, wildlife collisions, marten damage.	No statutory minimum (voluntary contract)	350 € – 700 € per year (including the mandatory Haftpflicht component)	Older vehicles with residual value; long-term parkers; cars in marten-active rural areas.
Vollkasko (full comprehensive)	Everything in Teilkasko plus self-caused collision damage, vandalism, and hit-and-run damage to your own car.	No statutory minimum (voluntary contract)	587 € industry average (Settle in Berlin, GDV-aligned); 906 € – 942 € Feather cheap tier; 700 € – 1.500 €+ full range	Newer cars, financed or leased vehicles, family cars with high-value damage exposure.

What it costs in 2026 — for your situation

asOfLabel

Stand 13.05.2026

sourceLabel

Sources: Settle in Berlin (GDV-aligned industry data); Feather Insurance (24.02.2026); Feuersozietät / GermanPedia SF-Klassen-Tabelle; Anlage zu §4 PflVG.

industryAverageBand

haftpflichtLabel Haftpflicht-only (industry average 2026)

haftpflichtValue ~258 € per year (about 21,50 € per month)

vollkaskoLabel Vollkasko incl. Haftpflicht (industry average 2026)

vollkaskoValue ~587 € per year (about 48,90 € per month)

featherBenchmark

label Cheap-tier benchmark — Feather Insurance (24.02.2026)

haftpflichtRange Haftpflicht 465 € – 509 € per year

teilkaskoRange Teilkasko 580 € – 636 € per year

vollkaskoRange Vollkasko 906 € – 942 € per year

asOf 24.02.2026

scenariosIntro

Illustrative 2026 estimates. Your actual price depends on Typklasse (vehicle-type class), Regionalklasse (postcode-based class), SF-Klasse, annual mileage, and driver circle.

scenarios

personaLabel Marcus — Berlin, non-EU licence
profileLine 2018 VW Golf · SF3 starter class · 14 months in Berlin Mitte
haftpflichtEstimate Haftpflicht 350 € – 480 € per year
vollkaskoEstimate Vollkasko 780 € – 1.100 € per year
notes Inflated by Berlin's higher Regionalklasse; SF3 starter is the lever.
personaLabel Sophie — Munich, UK licence
profileLine BMW X3 · SF12 transferred with written UK no-claims letter
haftpflichtEstimate Haftpflicht 150 € – 220 € per year
vollkaskoEstimate Vollkasko 450 € – 680 € per year
notes Twelve transferred no-claims years drive the premium down hard.
personaLabel Anna — Frankfurt, French licence
profileLine Used Renault Clio · SF2 transferred from Allianz France
haftpflichtEstimate Haftpflicht 220 € – 310 € per year
vollkaskoEstimate Vollkasko not advised for an older small car
notes Clean EU transfer; Haftpflicht-only is the cost-rational tier.
personaLabel Karim — Berlin, German licence
profileLine Mid-size family SUV · SF0 first-time keeper · 3 children declared in driver circle
haftpflichtEstimate Haftpflicht 480 € – 650 € per year
vollkaskoEstimate Vollkasko 950 € – 1.350 € per year
notes SF0 because no prior policy; one class drop per claim-free year.

sfTable

title SF-Klassen — % of base premium

sourceLabel Feuersozietät / GermanPedia SF-Klassen-Tabelle, retrieved 13.05.2026

rows

sfClass SF0
percentOfBase 100 %
note Anfänger / first policy
sfClass SF1
percentOfBase 75 %
note 1 claim-free year
sfClass SF3
percentOfBase 65 %
note Non-EU starter (eligible carriers, over 23)
sfClass SF5
percentOfBase 52 %
note
sfClass SF10
percentOfBase 39 %
note
sfClass SF20
percentOfBase 28 %
note
sfClass SF35+
percentOfBase ~22 %
note Maximum class at most insurers — about 78 % off base. The 'up to 81 %' figure in AI Overviews is portal marketing, not industry data.

statutoryMinFootnote

What 'cheap' actually buys is the Anlage zu §4 PflVG floor: 7.500.000 € personal injury, 1.300.000 € property damage, 50.000 € financial loss. Verbraucherzentrale recommends 100 Mio. € pauschal.

ctaLabel

Get your personalized quote

ctaHref

#evbExplainer

secondaryCtaLabel

Transfer your no-claims bonus to keep these prices

secondaryCtaHref

#noClaimsTransfer

Transfer your no-claims bonus — keep what you earned

Your Schadenfreiheitsklasse (no-claims discount tier, "SF-Klasse") is the single largest lever on your German premium. If your foreign motor history was claim-free, you can usually carry it into a German SF class. Updated 13.05.2026.

transferTable

headers

Origin of your foreign policy
Transfer rule

rows

origin EU / EEA
rule Full transfer at the carrier's discretion, typically 1:1 (each claim-free year = one SF class).
origin UK (post-Brexit)
rule Full transfer at selected carriers; English-language written confirmation from your UK insurer is sufficient.
origin Switzerland, Ukraine, Bosnia & Herzegovina
rule Full transfer accepted by Feather-pool carriers.
origin US, Canada, Australia, Asia
rule Case-by-case. Where transfer is declined, eligible carriers offer the SF3 starting class for drivers over 23 with no proof — see box below.

sf3Box

title SF3 starter — no proof required

description Drivers over 23 with a non-EU driving history that cannot be documented can start at SF3 with selected carriers. SF3 is about 65 % of base premium — roughly 35 % off the standard rate, or up to 48 % below the SF0 default once vehicle and regional factors apply.

eligibilityRequirements

Over 23 years of age
Non-EU licence converted (or within the 6-month conversion window from Anmeldung)
Carrier on DigiCare's SF3-eligible panel

typicalSaving About 48 % off the SF0 default base premium

documentChecklist

Written claim-free confirmation letter from your prior insurer (English or German is accepted)
Passport or national ID
Vehicle papers (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I, where available)
German IBAN for the monthly debit
Certified translation only if the confirmation is in a language other than English or German

ctaLabel

See what it costs with full SF transfer

ctaHref

#pricingScenarios

Your eVB-Nummer — ready in 5 minutes

No eVB-Nummer (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung — the 7-character insurance confirmation code), no licence plates. Updated 13.05.2026.

what

A 7-character electronic confirmation that you hold at least mandatory Kfz-Haftpflicht. The Kfz-Zulassungsstelle requires it before issuing licence plates (§29 FZV).

how

Complete the English online sign-up with your driving licence, Anmeldung address, and German IBAN. We bind cover with the chosen carrier and transmit the eVB-Nummer within 5 minutes by SMS and email. You then take it to the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle with your vehicle papers, ID, and Anmeldung confirmation.

validity

Typically 3 to 6 months from issuance (maximum 2 years). A lapsed eVB is reissued at no charge.

sofaException

title SOFA exception — US military / DoD civilian

body SOFA-status keepers register privately-owned vehicles through the USAREUR Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), not the standard Kfz-Zulassungsstelle. The eVB process above does not apply to SOFA POV registrations — your route is USAREUR Form 190-1 plus the on-base safety inspection (USAREUR Reg 190-1).

ctaLabel

Get my eVB now

ctaHref

#hero

When to switch — the 30.11. deadline and your special cancellation rights

Most German motor policies run on the calendar year (01.01. – 31.12.). To move your contract for next year, your cancellation must reach the current insurer by 30.11. — date of receipt, not date of mailing.

deadlineLabel

Cancellation must arrive at the current insurer by 30.11.2026

steps

name Compare
description Compare carriers in October or November while you still hold the right to cancel for the next contract year.
name Cancel
description Send the written cancellation so it arrives at the current insurer by 30.11.2026.
name New policy starts
description Your new policy starts 01.01.2027 with the chosen carrier; your eVB-Nummer is reissued ahead of the change.

sonderkuendigungIntro

Sonderkündigungsrecht (special right of cancellation) opens a window outside the annual cycle when one of three triggers fires.

sonderkuendigungList

trigger Premium increase notified by the insurer
statute VVG §40
window One month from the date of the notification letter
trigger Claim settlement
statute VVG §92
window One month from conclusion of settlement negotiations
trigger Vehicle sale
statute AKB / PflVG §14
window Effective on transfer of the keeper (Halter)

ourServiceLine

We draft and submit the cancellation letter to your current insurer on your behalf; the old carrier confirms receipt in writing.

ctaLabel

Compare to see if switching saves you money

ctaHref

#pricingScenarios

Chapter VI

Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance mandatory in Germany?: Yes. Under §1 PflVG, every vehicle kept in Germany must hold mandatory Kfz-Haftpflicht before registration or use on public roads. Driving uninsured is a criminal offence under §6 PflVG.
Can I get German car insurance as a non-EU citizen?: Yes. Nationality does not matter. You need a valid driving licence (non-EU licences last 6 months from Anmeldung, then must be converted), proof of identity, vehicle papers, and a German IBAN.
How much is car insurance in Germany in 2026?: Industry averages (Settle in Berlin, GDV-aligned, 13.05.2026): about 258 € per year for Haftpflicht and 587 € for Vollkasko. Cheap-tier ranges (Feather, 24.02.2026): Haftpflicht 465 € – 509 €, Vollkasko 906 € – 942 €. Your price depends on SF-Klasse, Typklasse, Regionalklasse, mileage, and driver circle.
Can I transfer my foreign no-claims bonus?: EU/EEA, UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Bosnia & Herzegovina histories transfer at selected carriers with a written claim-free letter. US, Canada, Australia, and Asian histories transfer case-by-case. Over 23 with no proof opens the SF3 starting class — roughly 48 % off the base rate.

What is an eVB-Nummer and how do I get one?: A 7-character electronic confirmation (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) that proves Kfz-Haftpflicht cover. The Kfz-Zulassungsstelle requires it for vehicle registration (§29 FZV). DigiCare issues it within 5 minutes of sign-up by SMS or email.
What do Haftpflicht, Teilkasko, and Vollkasko mean?: Haftpflicht is mandatory third-party liability (statutory minimums 7.500.000 € personal injury, 1.300.000 € property, 50.000 € financial loss per Anlage zu §4 PflVG). Teilkasko adds theft, fire, glass, weather, and wildlife collisions. Vollkasko adds self-caused collision damage and vandalism on your own car.
When can I switch my car insurance in Germany?: Calendar-year policies must be cancelled by 30.11. (date of receipt at the insurer). You also hold a Sonderkündigungsrecht on a premium increase (VVG §40, one month from notification), a settled claim (VVG §92, one month from conclusion of settlement negotiations), or a vehicle sale (AKB / PflVG §14, effective on keeper transfer).
Does DigiCare work with US military / SOFA-status drivers?: Yes. SOFA keepers stay on USAREUR plates while SOFA is active and register through the USAREUR Registry of Motor Vehicles. On retirement or DoD-civilian transition, you must convert to German plates and a German policy within 6 months. Our eligibility filter routes you to the SOFA path.