Ukrainian refugee drivers, be prepared: Germany is introducing new customs rules for refugees with cars – Aussiedlerbote

As of October, Ukrainian refugees in Germany will be required to register their imported vehicles with German license plates if their cars have been in Germany for more than a year.

This information was reported by the German publication “Aussiedlerbote”.

The corresponding legal regulations have been established by the federal government. Until September 30, Ukrainian vehicles were still covered by exemptions granted by federal states.

The procedure for re-registering Ukrainian vehicles is outlined in a catalog developed in recent months by the German Federal Ministry of Transport in collaboration with federal states. Car owners will need to present German authorities with an ID card featuring their name in Latin script, a Ukrainian vehicle registration certificate, and proof of insurance.

Digital versions of Ukrainian documents will not be accepted. After re-registration, the Ukrainian license plates must be replaced with German ones. Ukrainian vehicles must also be registered with German customs. Ukrainian refugees relocating within the EU may be exempt from customs duties for their vehicles, as well as any other personal property.

Despite these regulations, the exact number of cars with Ukrainian license plates currently on German roads remains unknown. The German Federal Ministry of Transport notes that vehicles without German registration plates are difficult to monitor, which impacts overall road safety in the country.

German authorities emphasize that the new registration system is designed to ensure transparency and enhance road safety, providing Ukrainian refugees with the necessary tools for the legal operation of their vehicles in Germany.

The German Ministry of Transport has not specified how many Ukrainian vehicles are currently in Germany or how many need to be re-registered. According to previous rules, Ukrainians had to apply for an exemption from vehicle re-registration at their place of residence in the Federal Republic. To do so, they had to provide proof of third-party liability insurance and a certificate confirming that the vehicle met road safety requirements.