Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Germany Launches i‑Kfz App, Puts Vehicle Registration on Phones

Officials say the free app now fulfills the legal requirement to carry the registration in Germany.

Overview

  • The iOS and Android app is live and allows drivers to present a digital Fahrzeugschein during police checks, inspections and workshop visits.
  • Users add a vehicle via the online ID function of the German ID card with PIN or a registration QR code, with offline display and time‑limited sharing by QR or link supported.
  • Paper documents remain valid, are still required for trips abroad and certain procedures, and the digital version is positioned as a supplement rather than a replacement.
  • The Kraftfahrt‑Bundesamt and Bundesdruckerei built the service over about two years for roughly €12 million, with fleet and corporate use slated to follow in early 2026.
  • The government targets a digital driving licence by the end of 2026 and a broader wallet by 2027, while limited eID activation and uneven police training may constrain early uptake.