Kann ich mit deutschen Kennzeichen in der Schweiz fahren?

Nur für die direkte Einfuhr und eine eng begrenzte Übergangszeit. Nach dem Wohnsitzprinzip muss ein Fahrzeug, dessen Halter in der Schweiz wohnt, zeitnah geprüft und mit Schweizer Kontrollschildern eingelöst werden. Organisieren Sie den elektronischen Versicherungsnachweis deshalb parallel zur MFK-Anmeldung, damit die Einlösung nicht an der Deckung scheitert.

Gilt meine deutsche Versicherung nach dem Import weiter?

Nein. Mit der Schweizer Zulassung endet die deutsche Deckung – der Wechsel zur Schweizer Versicherung erfolgt mit der Einlösung. Für die Überführung selbst deckt entweder die Kurzzeitversicherung des deutschen Ausfuhrkennzeichens oder die Transportversicherung des Spediteurs; für Standzeiten bis zur Zulassung empfiehlt sich eine Ruheversicherung gegen Diebstahl und Feuer.

Ist die Versicherung für ein Importauto teurer als für ein Schweizer Fahrzeug?

Nein. Die Prämie richtet sich nach Fahrzeugtyp, Fahrerprofil und Kanton – ob das Auto importiert oder in der Schweiz gekauft wurde, spielt für die Versicherer keine Rolle. Empfehlenswert sind Vollkasko ab Übergabe bei neuwertigen Fahrzeugen und ein Zeitwertzusatz, der in den ersten Jahren den Neuwert statt des Zeitwerts ersetzt.

Insuring an imported car: how it works

In brief: To register an imported vehicle in Switzerland you need electronic proof of insurance, which your Swiss insurer sends to the cantonal road traffic office. For the drive out of Germany, cover comes either from German export plates, which carry their own short-term policy, or from moving the car on a trailer. The premium itself is no different from the one for a Swiss vehicle.

By Anna Katharina Finsler, Managing Director of Finsler Customs GmbH · Last updated: 27 July 2026 · Rates as at July 2026: automobile tax 4%, Swiss VAT 8.1%

Insurance in three phases

Transfer out of Germany: either German export plates including their short-term policy (yellow border, valid from 15 days to 12 months) or carriage on a car transporter, in which case the risk sits with the haulier's transit insurance.
From clearance to registration: as a rule the car is standing still; where it waits for a while, laid-up cover against theft and fire is worth having, and many insurers include it free of charge.
From registration onwards: ordinary Swiss third-party liability insurance (compulsory), sensibly combined with partial or fully comprehensive casco cover.

Proof of insurance for registration

No proof of insurance, no number plates: your Swiss insurer transmits the confirmation of cover electronically straight to the road traffic office of your canton. For that it needs the Stammnummer, the vehicle's Swiss reference number, or the vehicle data from the inspection report – Finsler Customs coordinates this step with your insurer.

Casco cover on an imported vehicle

Fully comprehensive cover from handover is recommended, particularly for as-new vehicles.
Look at the depreciation top-up: for the first few years it pays out the price of a new car instead of the depreciated value.
The premium depends on the car, the driver and the canton – an imported vehicle costs no more than one bought in Switzerland.

Common questions about insuring an imported car

Can I drive in Switzerland on German plates?

Only for the import run itself and for a tightly limited transition period. Under the principle of residence, a vehicle whose keeper lives in Switzerland has to be inspected and put on Swiss number plates promptly. So arrange the electronic proof of insurance in parallel with booking the MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle, the cantonal roadworthiness test), so that registration does not founder on the question of cover.

Does my German policy still apply after the import?

No. German cover ends when the car is registered in Switzerland – the change to a Swiss insurer takes place at registration. The transfer itself is covered either by the short-term policy attached to the German export plates or by the haulier's transit insurance; for the time the car stands waiting for registration, laid-up cover against theft and fire is worth having.

Is insurance for an imported car more expensive than for a Swiss vehicle?

No. The premium is set by vehicle type, driver profile and canton – whether the car was imported or bought in Switzerland makes no difference to insurers. Worth having are fully comprehensive cover from handover on as-new vehicles and a depreciation top-up, which for the first few years pays out the price of a new car instead of the depreciated value.

More on the process as a whole in the guide to the import process; the import calculator works out the costs.

Related guides

Figures and deadlines at a glance

Item	Value
German export plates	valid from 15 days to 12 months
Swiss third-party liability insurance	compulsory, proof sent electronically to the road traffic office
Laid-up cover while the car is standing	included at no extra cost by many insurers
Premium difference from Swiss vehicles	none
Legal basis	VZV, SR 741.51

Sources and legal basis

The information on this page is based on the official publications below. The wording of the legislation in force is always what counts.

Further information

Car import calculator – work out customs duty, automobile tax, VAT and CO₂
Have a car imported for you – full service from sourcing to registration
All services – import, customs, sourcing, documents, advice
Guides – seventeen articles on importing a vehicle
CO₂ calculator – work out the penalty using the SFOE formula
Transport calculator – guide price for delivery within Switzerland
Thayngen customs office – opening hours, directions and procedure
Importing in the canton of Schaffhausen – customs, MFK and registration on the spot
For German dealers – selling vehicles to Swiss buyers
About Finsler Customs – company, location and how we work
Contact and advice