Germany is a car-oriented country in many ways — but not for city dwellers. The question of whether to own a car depends heavily on where you live, whether you have a family, and how much you value the convenience versus the monthly cost.
TÜV (Hauptuntersuchung)
Every car in Germany must pass a technical inspection (TÜV or DEKRA) every two years for cars over 3 years old. Cost: €60–120. The inspection checks brakes, lights, emissions, steering, and structural integrity. A failed TÜV means you have a deadline to repair the car before re-inspection. Driving with an expired TÜV sticker can invalidate your insurance.
Car Insurance Requirements
Third-party liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is legally mandatory. Comprehensive (Vollkasko) and partial coverage (Teilkasko) are optional. Third-party only for an older car: €500–800/year. Full Vollkasko for a newer car: €1,200–2,500/year depending on driving history, age, and region. German insurance uses a Schadenfreiheitsklasse (SF class) bonus-malus system — each accident-free year improves your class and lowers premiums. Bring documentation of your foreign driving history; many insurers will accept it to calculate an initial SF class.
Fuel and Running Costs
Fuel in Germany runs €1.50–1.80/liter (petrol, mid-2025). Average running cost including fuel, insurance, TÜV, maintenance, and depreciation: €400–700/month for a typical mid-range car. Parking in city centers: €150–400/month for a parking space, or competitive Anwohnerparken permits (€30–130/year for residents). Electric vehicles avoid fuel costs but require home charging setup or public charger reliance.
When You Don’t Need One
Urban residents in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne with public transport coverage rarely need a car for daily life. The Deutschlandticket (€58/month) covers regional trains, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and buses. Car-sharing services (Sixt Share, ShareNow, Free2Move, Stadtmobil) let you access a car when needed without ownership costs. Calculate: if you drive fewer than 500 km/month, car-sharing almost always costs less than ownership.
