→ Import route
Cost of importing a car from the Netherlands into Germany
Compare dealer asking prices like for like in both countries, read the registration taxes and steps, and estimate the cost with the free calculator.
In short
On 4 Nov 2026, the comparison Netherlands → Germany matched 127 models by registration year, mileage band and fuel. The median model's dealer asking price was 15% higher in the Netherlands than in Germany, with 5% of models still listed lower in the origin country. Germany has no registration tax; the calculator adds VAT where due, transport and registration fees, with the annual Kfz-Steuer shown separately. Worked example: the landed total is €21,833 – €22,510, against a local median of €18,000 for the same model, year and fuel (€3,833 – €4,510 above).
Among advertised cars in the Netherlands whose VAT status is known, 34% are marked VAT-deductible. For a used car with VAT shown separately, a VAT-registered buyer can buy without the origin country's VAT and account for VAT in the destination. For a used car under normal VAT rules, a private buyer collecting it abroad generally pays the seller-country VAT. Seller-arranged delivery can change the VAT treatment; confirm the invoice and delivery arrangements.
Like-for-like asking prices: Netherlands and Germany
Each model is compared using only the registration years, mileage bands and fuels listed in both countries, with the same weights on both sides. A negative figure means a lower asking price in the origin country, before transport and import taxes.
Differences compare matched cars. Destination medians include all listed cars of each model.
Models with lower asking prices in the Netherlands
| Model | Matched difference | Destination median |
|---|---|---|
| Volvo EX30 | −8% | €39,500 |
| Kia EV6 | −7% | €40,000 |
| Volkswagen ID.3 | −5% | €26,000 |
| Audi A6 | −5% | €23,600 |
| Peugeot 207 | −4% | €3,000 |
| Peugeot 206 | −1% | €2,500 |
Models with higher asking prices in the Netherlands
| Model | Matched difference | Destination median |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Vitara | +34% | €17,400 |
| Porsche 911 | +29% | €142,700 |
| Jeep Avenger | +29% | €19,900 |
| Opel Zafira | +29% | €5,950 |
| Citroën C5 Aircross | +27% | €19,200 |
| Kia Stonic | +27% | €15,700 |
| BMW X1 | +26% | €19,800 |
| Volvo V60 | +26% | €30,000 |
What a typical 2021 Volkswagen Golf costs, bought from the Netherlands and registered in Germany
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price paid to the seller | €21,400 |
| Transport (open truck)Transport estimate is low-confidence until dated quotes are collected. | €400 – €900 |
| Registration (Zulassung)Indicative amount; official tariff not yet checked. | €13 – €40 |
| Number plates (pair)Indicative amount; official tariff not yet checked. | €20 – €40 |
| Roadworthiness test (HU), only if dueIndicative amount; official tariff not yet checked. | €0 – €130 |
| Total landed cost | €21,833 – €22,510 |
| Median asking price of the same model, year and fuel in Germany | €18,000 |
| Landed total against that median | €3,833 – €4,510 above |
The median covers all mileages of that model, year and fuel, across 75 listings in Germany: a market benchmark, not the price of an identical car.
Assumptions
- Purchase price
- €21,400, the asking-price median of 174 cars in the Netherlands in our data dated 4 Nov 2026.
- First registration
- June 2021 (assumed month)
- Mileage (origin median)
- 100,000 km
- Fuel (most listed for this model and year)
- Petrol
- Engine size and CO₂
- 1,498 cm³ and 135 g/km WLTP. Typical assumptions, not listing data.
- Seller VAT
- Unknown. The calculator shows a range when VAT treatment changes the cost.
- Transport
- Truck, using the calculator's route estimate.
- Planned registration date
- 2026-12-04
- Seller VAT status unknown: the range covers a VAT-deductible and a margin-scheme listing.
Estimate the cost of importing a car from the Netherlands into Germany
Enter the asking price and the car's details to see the taxes with their legal basis and clearly labelled estimates.
Registration taxes in Germany
No registration tax; Kfz-Steuer is annual.
Germany has no registration tax. A new means of transport (≤ 6 months or ≤ 6,000 km) owes 19% German VAT. For a used car under normal VAT rules, a private buyer collecting it abroad generally pays the seller-country VAT. Seller-arranged delivery can change the VAT treatment; confirm the invoice and delivery arrangements. Kfz-Steuer is annual, by engine size and CO2.
Official sources
The steps
- Check the listing's asking price against comparable cars, the mileage history and whether the car is sold under the margin scheme or with VAT shown separately.
- Get the registration certificate, including all parts issued by the country, the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), the invoice or contract, and the service records from the seller.
- Arrange a car transporter, or drive the car on temporary or export plates with insurance valid for the trip. The calculator includes a transport estimate you can change.
- Register the car in Germany: pay any registration tax and fees due, complete any required inspection and get local plates.
Questions about this route
Is it cheaper to buy a used car in the Netherlands than in Germany?
On 4 Nov 2026, 5% of 127 models compared like for like had lower dealer asking prices in the Netherlands than in Germany, although the median model was listed 15% higher. Transport and registration costs come on top.
What taxes do I pay to register a car from the Netherlands in Germany?
Germany has no registration tax. A new means of transport (≤ 6 months or ≤ 6,000 km) owes 19% German VAT. For a used car under normal VAT rules, a private buyer collecting it abroad generally pays the seller-country VAT. Seller-arranged delivery can change the VAT treatment; confirm the invoice and delivery arrangements. Kfz-Steuer is annual, by engine size and CO2.
Do I pay VAT again when I import a used car from the Netherlands into Germany?
A car that is used for VAT purposes, bought from a dealer under the margin scheme or from a private seller in another EU country, carries no VAT again in Germany. If VAT is shown separately, a VAT-registered buyer can buy without the VAT charged in the Netherlands and account for VAT at the destination. For a used car under normal VAT rules, a private buyer collecting it abroad generally pays the seller-country VAT. Seller-arranged delivery can change the VAT treatment; confirm the invoice and delivery arrangements. A car first used six months ago or less, or driven 6,000 km or less, is a new means of transport for VAT and is taxed at 19% in the destination country, whoever buys it.
How do I bring the car from the Netherlands into Germany?
Use a car transporter, or drive the car on temporary or export plates with insurance valid for the trip. Keep the registration certificate, Certificate of Conformity (CoC) and invoice for registration at the destination.
How much does it cost in total to import a Volkswagen Golf from the Netherlands into Germany?
In our worked example the total landed cost is €21,833 – €22,510, against a median asking price of €18,000 for the same model, year and fuel in Germany (€3,833 – €4,510 above).