Car after a death – transfer or de-registration
The deceased's car cannot simply be used: insurance and registration depend on the holder.
Transfer to an heir
- CH: Cantonal road traffic office – vehicle registration, death certificate, certificate of inheritance, insurance confirmation.
- DE: Zulassungsstelle at the heir's home – Zulassungsbescheinigung I/II, death certificate, Erbschein, eVB number.
- AT: Zulassungsstelle of the new holder's insurer – Typenschein, death certificate, proof of succession.
De-registration
If no heir wants the car, de-register it. Tax and insurance end on that date.
Notify the insurer
Notify car insurance within days. Unused premiums are refunded pro rata.
Sale
Heirs may sell. Document the value for the estate inventory. The Wegbegleiter App lists documents per country.
Frequently asked questions
- May I keep driving?
- Only until transfer and once the insurer is notified.
- Cost?
- 30–100 € depending on country.
- Direct sale?
- Yes with certificate of inheritance, usually after transfer.
- Plates?
- Often kept on a local transfer.
Wegbegleiter – the app for difficult moments
The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) guides you step by step: checklists, letter templates and an encrypted emergency folder – free to start.