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Germany Launches i‑Kfz App for Digital Vehicle Registration

The move removes the domestic paper mandate for the Fahrzeugschein.

Overview

  • Drivers can now present a verified digital vehicle registration via the i‑Kfz app, which is accepted in traffic checks across Germany and works offline after setup.
  • Developed by the Kraftfahrt‑Bundesamt and Bundesdruckerei, the app uses eID or a QR code at registration to load documents, supports multiple vehicles, and lets holders share time‑limited digital copies.
  • The federal cabinet approved a bill to enable a national digital driving licence targeted for end‑2026, licence‑plate‑based parking control with app or QR payments, and fines up to €30,000 for commercial trading of penalty points.
  • Hamburg plans a 12‑month pilot next year to phase out paper permits in two resident zones using scan vehicles that match plates to digital permissions, with non‑violation images deleted immediately, pending parliament approval.
  • The police union welcomes the shift but flags missing standard training and real‑time verification tools, and authorities note the digital document is currently valid only in Germany, with a national digital wallet planned from 2027.