eVB number: insurance before registration

German law requires active third-party liability insurance before number plates can be issued. The eVB number is your proof — get it online in 10 minutes.

✓ Verified: 15/08/2026

WHAT TO DO

Compare Kfz-Haftpflicht rates on Check24.de or Verivox.de

Take out a policy — set start date before your planned Zulassung appointment
Receive the eVB number (7-character code) by email and save it

DOCUMENTS 1

eVB number (7-character alphanumeric code from your insurer)

COSTS

€

Kfz-Haftpflicht (mandatory third-party liability) from €300/year

Depends on vehicle, region, age, claims history. New drivers in Germany typically start at class SF½ or SF1

Insurance comes before the plates

Germany’s logic: no registration without active third-party insurance. The eVB number is the electronic proof. 10 minutes on Check24↗ or Verivox↗ and it’s done.

What the Zulassungsstelle actually needs

Only the 7-character code — no need to print the policy or bring paperwork. Save the code on your phone or write it down.

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Guide: eVB & car insurance without overpaying →

Newcomer prices differ up to 2×. How to transfer your foreign no-claims years and save hundreds

› Details and tips

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Max recommends:

I had no claims history in Germany — started at SF½, the most expensive class. After one accident-free year I moved to SF1, after two years SF2. The premium drops every year. Don't be put off by the initial high rate.

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Lea recommends:

I brought printed policy documents — completely unnecessary. The clerk only typed in the eVB code and had all the details instantly. The printout was pointless.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is an eVB number? ▾

eVB stands for 'elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung' — electronic insurance confirmation. When you take out a policy, your insurer automatically registers it with the central GDV system. The Zulassungsstelle retrieves your policy by entering the 7-character code — without it, they cannot issue plates.

Can I insure a car before it's registered in Germany? ▾

Yes — and you must. Insurance is arranged BEFORE registration; the eVB number is the condition for registration, not the other way around. Give your insurer the VIN and planned registration date.

Will German insurers recognise my no-claims history from abroad? ▾

Partially. Austrian and Swiss histories are sometimes recognised. Most others (Ukraine, US, etc.) are rarely accepted — you'll typically start at class SF½ or SF1. Get quotes from several insurers.

What information does the insurer need? ▾

VIN, make, model, year, engine output in kW, your German postcode (PLZ), date of birth, planned insurance start date.

eVB number: insurance before registration

Insurance comes before the plates

What the Zulassungsstelle actually needs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What comes next

Similar steps in other routes

OFFICIAL SOURCES