Cologne regulates drop-off at the bulk customer desk down to the container and publishes the current processing time. This page sums up what the city itself publishes – with date and source.
Zevra is the B2B platform for digital vehicle registration for car dealers, registration services and fleets: cases are entered in the dealer portal and filed nationwide by power of attorney with qualified electronic signature – from €10 per registration, no base fee, no minimum volume.
Last updated: · Zevra editorial team · Reviewed by M. Gabal, owner
Who is responsible for vehicle registration in Cologne?
The Cologne vehicle registration office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle Köln), Max-Glomsda-Straße 4, 51105 Köln, is responsible. It belongs to the public order office. Access to Max-Glomsda-Straße is via Rolshover Straße. An appointment is needed for a matter to be processed.
Who is served at the bulk customer desk?
According to the city, the bulk customer desk is responsible for 4 groups.
- vehicle manufacturers, vehicle dealers and motor workshops
- vehicle registration services
- authorities and consulates
- private customers with 4 or more matters – online appointment booking is not possible for this
When and how are documents handed in in Cologne?
The bulk customer desk has its own hours. Visitors first report to the security staff at the entrance.
| Purpose | Time (Monday to Friday) |
|---|---|
| Handing in documents | 7 to 9:30 am |
| Collecting documents | 7 to 9:30 am and 12 to 12:30 pm |
| Consultation for unclear cases | 7 to 9:30 am |
Documents must be handed in in a closed dealer bag with a handle or in stackable Euro containers (60 by 40 or 60 by 20 centimetres) – clearly labelled with company address, e-mail address and telephone number. The city does not accept other containers.
How long does processing at the bulk customer desk take?
The City of Cologne publishes the current processing time at the bulk customer desk: 8 working days (as of 9 October 2026).
The city does not answer enquiries about cases submitted through a registration service. It refers to the commissioned service provider.
What can be done online in Cologne?
Via i-Kfz the city lists 7 matters: personalised plate, deregistering a vehicle online, transfer (except foreign vehicles), registration of a new vehicle, re-registration to the same person, change of address in the vehicle documents and one-day registration.
Legal entities need "Mein Unternehmenskonto" with an ELSTER certificate for this. The city points to a technical error (as of 18 May 2026): anyone who selects "Vereinigung" (association) in the company account cannot complete payment and should book an on-site appointment.
For context: on 15 August 2024 the city reported that access to the i-Kfz portal was blocked until further notice. It cited around 235,000 vehicle services in 2023 and 18,770 online cases since September 2023.
What does Zevra handle – and what not?
Zevra is the B2B platform for digital vehicle registration. Dealerships and registration service providers submit cases digitally – nationwide, in one uniform process. Registration, transfer and re-registration cost from €10 per case, deregistration €2 net, plus official fees.
Zevra is not an authority. The platform does not replace the appointments, counters and drop-off points of the Cologne vehicle registration office. Zevra does not offer short-term plates or export plates.
- Temporary registration proof: valid for 10 days
- Documents posted by the authority: within 6 days
- Digital deregistration: documents from 01.01.2015
- Digital registration: documents from 01.01.2018
- Registration with Zevra: €10 net
- Deregistration with Zevra: €2 net · base fee: €0
Deadlines and cut-off dates according to: Bundesministerium für Verkehr
Read more
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- Vehicle registration in Munich for dealers and registration services
- Vehicle registration in Frankfurt for dealers and registration services
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Car workshops
- Pricing
Sources: Stadt Köln: Großkundenbereich der Kfz-Zulassungsstelle (Bearbeitungsdauer Stand 9. Oktober 2026) · Stadt Köln: Kfz-Zulassungsstelle Köln – Anschrift und Öffnungszeiten · Stadt Köln: Kfz-Zulassung Online (Hinweis Stand 18. Mai 2026) · Stadt Köln: Pressemitteilung vom 15. August 2024 zur Online-Zulassung · Bundesministerium für Verkehr: Internetbasierte Fahrzeugzulassung – So funktioniert i-Kfz · Sources