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Germany

EU memberCurrency: EUR

Germany is Europe's biggest freight market — high rates, high costs and strict enforcement (BALM).

Calculate your costs in the app

Register the company

  • Form a GmbH (min €25,000 share capital, half paid in) or start as a sole trader (Einzelunternehmen).
  • Register at the Handelsregister and Gewerbeamt; apply for the licence at the local licensing authority / BALM.

Carrier licence (Community Licence)

  • EU Community Licence under Regulations (EC) 1071/2009 & 1072/2009, required for hire-or-reward haulage > 3.5t (and ≥ 2.5t in international transport since 2022).
  • Granted once the company meets four conditions: stable establishment, good repute, financial standing, and a transport manager holding the CPC.
  • Certified copies are issued per vehicle and must be carried on board.

Certificate of Professional Competence

  • A designated transport manager must hold the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) — pass the national exam or hold an exempting diploma/experience.
  • One transport manager can manage the fleet (subject to a maximum number of vehicles and being genuinely linked to the company).

Financial standing

  • Proof of financial standing: €9,000 for the first vehicle and €5,000 for each additional vehicle (> 3.5t).
  • For vans 2.5–3.5t in international transport: €1,800 first vehicle, €900 each additional.
  • Shown via annual accounts, a bank guarantee or insurance.

Taxes & VAT

  • Corporate burden ~30% (CIT 15% + solidarity surcharge + municipal trade tax ~14%). VAT 19%.
  • Diesel VAT deductible; energy tax (excise) applies.

Drivers & social charges

  • Employer social charges ~21% on top of gross.
  • Statutory minimum wage; A1 documents and posting declarations required for foreign drivers.

Insurance

  • Kfz-Haftpflicht — compulsory motor liability.
  • Kasko — own damage.
  • Verkehrshaftung — carrier liability.
  • CMR — international cargo.

Tolls

  • LKW-Maut (Toll Collect) on motorways and federal roads for vehicles > 3.5t.
  • Priced by axle count and emission/CO₂ class; on-board unit or app.

Cabotage

  • After an incoming international delivery: up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days in the host country.
  • Then a 4-day cooling-off period before further cabotage with the same vehicle in that country (EU Mobility Package).
  • Carry proof (CMR) of the incoming international load and each cabotage leg.

Driving & rest rules

  • Regulation (EC) 561/2006: max 9h daily driving (10h twice a week); 56h weekly and 90h per fortnight.
  • 45-min break after 4.5h of driving; 11h daily rest (reducible to 9h, max 3×/week); 45h weekly rest.
  • Digital tachograph mandatory; the EU Mobility Package adds return-home and posting rules.

Country specifics

  • Sunday & public-holiday HGV ban 00:00–22:00 for vehicles > 7.5t.
  • Tight controls; documentation and rest-time compliance are checked frequently.

General guidance for beginners — rules and figures change. Always verify with official sources and a local advisor. Not legal, tax or accounting advice.