Should Foreign Workers Get A Car If They Move To Germany?
If you plan to drive or own a car in Germany, you may consider importing or buying in Germany. Foreign workers are not restricted to owning a car in Germany as long as they follow the regulations governing car ownership in Germany. German residents enjoy grousing about traffic jams, gas prices, and environmental protection zones. However, many people in Germany rely on rental cars due to the insufficiency of the developed public transport network in many areas. If you want to hire a car for certain people, visit popular car rental services providers like Hertz for a great experience. Car rentals are also suitable for tourists who want to explore the country by car. Finding a reliable car rental provider may be difficult, but Hertz offers great deals to their customers and can be found in major cities in Germany. With Hertz cars, you can explore the country conveniently and enjoy the beautiful landscape of Germany. Depending on your needs, you can get all types of cars, including the spacious ones for your family.
How can a foreigner buy a car in Germany?
Officially, buying an automobile in Germany is not a difficulty for a foreigner. In fact, many visitors simply visit the country to make a transaction and then return home. The only issue that might emerge is upon registration. A permanent address in Germany is required to register a vehicle. However, if you, for example, wish to export a car right away, you can still buy one without a permanent address in the country. The registration is required to identify the vehicle’s location as well as the owner, who can later delegate representation authority to others. The address is also required for receiving vehicle-related mail (section 46 paragraph 2 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance). The owner must also pay a vehicle tax and enroll in obligatory insurance. When buying an automobile in Germany, keep the following points in mind:
- Is it better to buy a new or used car?
- Which automobile do you want and need, a Benzin or a Diesel, an automatic or a manual?
- Your financial situation
- Where can I get a car? Inform yourself on the benefits and drawbacks, as well as what you should pay special attention to, whether privately, at the dealer, or overseas.
- How are you going to pay for a car? There are numerous payment options available, including cash, finance, and leasing.
Car import Regulation in Germany
Bringing your own car into Germany as an expat from another EU member state will not be a problem. If you arrive by plane and have your vehicle transported to Germany by your moving company, there may be shipping expenses to consider. On the other hand, the German customs authorities will not object to EU citizens importing a car for personal use. However, if you bring a vehicle from outside the EU, you must meet several requirements to avoid paying import charges and taxes. Automobiles can only be imported into Germany for free if;
- For the past twelve months, you have resided outside of the EU.
- You intend to make Germany your permanent home.
- You have the car registered in your name.
- You must have owned and driven the car for at least six months.
- You plan to re-export it or sell it in Germany after twelve months or more.
If you can’t meet or prove these conditions, you’ll have to pay an import duty of 10% and an import tax of 19% of the car’s entire value. The German customs officials determine the value of your car using standard listings of worldwide manufacturers, models, and prices. It takes a long time to gather all of the required documentation and then wait for your car. The cost of shipping (including risk insurance) is also relatively high. Even if there are no customs duties, all vehicles must meet German safety regulations.
Driving laws in Germany
Germany has some of the strictest drunk driving rules in the world. Locals are frequently penalized for having a blood alcohol content of 0.03 percent, which is less than the precise legal limit of 0.05 percent. Inexperienced drivers, young drivers under the age of 21, and foreigners, on the other hand, are not permitted to drink while driving. Their blood alcohol level can’t be more than 0.01%. As a result, the ideal policy is to never drive after consuming an alcoholic beverage. Fortunately, this is relatively simple in Germany’s very walkable towns and cities with efficient public transportation.
Germany is a welcoming country with a good number of foreigners either working or exploring the country. Foreigners in Germany are not restricted to owning a car. All that is required is to follow the right channel when buying a car a meet all the government regulations.