Plenty of Danes look to Germany when they want a used Tesla. The choice is wider and prices can be lower than on the Danish market. In return, you handle the VAT, the transport, the customs inspection and the Danish registration tax yourself, and those are exactly the items that decide whether the import is actually a good deal. This guide walks through the rules and the process in broad strokes. It does not replace advice from the Danish Motor Agency or a professional importer, but it gives you the overview so you know what you are calculating.
Short answer
An import can save money, but the gain is not automatic. It comes from a larger and often cheaper German used market, not from a subsidy. You pay for the car (including 19% German VAT if it counts as used), transport, the customs inspection and Danish registration tax based on the Motor Agency's assessment of the car's Danish market value. If the car is under 6 months old or under 6,000 km, you instead pay 25% Danish VAT. Always run the numbers on the specific car.
Why look to Germany?
Germany is Europe's largest car market, and it shows in the supply of used Teslas, especially the Model 3 and Model Y. A bigger supply means both more to choose from and typically lower prices than at home. Because a Tesla receives over-the-air updates, even a two-year-old car runs the latest software, so a used one does not feel dated the way an older petrol car might.
One thing to settle straight away: the saving no longer comes from subsidies. The German environmental bonus (BAFA Umweltbonus) ended in December 2023, and the newer German support schemes target German residents and require several years of ownership, so a Danish buyer cannot use them. Importing today is about supply and the specific price, not about bringing home a grant.
VAT: is the car "new" or "used"?
The key concept to understand is the VAT distinction between new and used. It follows a fixed EU rule and has nothing to do with what the seller calls the car:
| Car status | Condition | VAT |
|---|---|---|
| "New" for VAT | Under 6 months old or under 6,000 km | 25% Danish VAT (on the full value) |
| "Used" for VAT | Over 6 months old and over 6,000 km | Price incl. 19% German VAT, no extra Danish VAT |
Note the "or" in the first row and the "and" in the second: a three-month-old car with 20,000 km still counts as new because it is under 6 months. That is exactly why many Danes pick a lightly used car that sits safely past both limits, so they avoid handling Danish VAT and the extra cash-flow hit it brings. The limits are fixed, but confirm the specific handling with the Danish Tax Agency (Skattestyrelsen) before you trade.
Registration tax on an imported EV
Wherever you buy the car, it must be registered in Denmark and pay Danish registration tax. The tax is not calculated from your German purchase price but from the car's taxable value, that is, the market price the Motor Agency assesses the car to have on the Danish market at the time of registration. Buying cheaply in Germany therefore does not, by itself, lower the tax.
For EVs, registration tax is being phased in gradually towards 2030. How much you actually pay depends on both the assessed value and the rules that apply in the year of registration. In 2026 the level for EVs is still low (the phase-in was postponed by a year in the finance agreement), but it rises over the coming years. Read more in our guide to registration tax on a Tesla, and use the Motor Agency's own tools or an adviser for a precise calculation on your car. The figures are set politically and can change, so confirm the current level before you commit.
Step by step
- Find the car. Most Danes search on mobile.de, Germany's largest car portal. Filter by model, year, mileage and spec, and watch whether the price is quoted with or without German VAT.
- Check history and condition. Ask for service history, damage records and the battery's state of health. Consider an independent inspection for a larger purchase, the same points as in our used-Tesla checklist apply here too.
- Clarify VAT with the seller. Get it in writing whether the deal is with German VAT (used) or without (new/export), so you know what awaits in Denmark. This is where most expensive surprises come from.
- Transport the car home. Either on temporary German export plates (Kurzzeit-/Ausfuhrkennzeichen) or on a trailer. Remember insurance during transport.
- Customs inspection and valuation. The car goes through a toldsyn, where it is checked and valued. The valuation forms the basis for the registration tax.
- Registration. Once the tax is paid, the car gets Danish plates and is ready to use here.
Processing time at the Motor Agency can vary and has at times run to several weeks. Check the current waiting time and build it into your schedule before you commit.
Does it pay off?
Honest answer: sometimes. The maths comes down to how much cheaper the car is in Germany, set against transport, the customs inspection, any VAT and the Danish registration tax, which is calculated from the Danish market value regardless of your purchase price. Some importers report savings in the tens of thousands of kroner on a lightly used EV, but it varies a lot with model, spec and exchange rate, and it is no guarantee. Always do the maths on the specific car before deciding, and remember to add your own time and risk on top.
To compare with the total cost of owning the car, wherever it comes from, see our guide to Tesla's total cost of ownership and to Tesla prices in Denmark.
Pitfalls to know about
- The VAT trap. An "almost new" car under 6 months or 6,000 km triggers 25% Danish VAT, even if the seller calls it used. Check the age and mileage carefully.
- Tax follows Danish value. A low German price does not lower the registration tax, it is calculated from the Motor Agency's Danish valuation.
- Warranty and service. Tesla's warranty is generally international, but get it confirmed in writing for the specific car. See our warranty guide.
- Hidden faults. Buying privately abroad leaves you in a weaker consumer position than with a Danish dealer. Be extra thorough.
- Timeline. Transport, customs inspection and registration take time, do not count on driving home on Danish plates the same week.
Import, or buy new at home?
Importing makes sense if you find the right used car at a good price and are willing to handle the paperwork. But remember that referral benefits only apply to a new Tesla. Buy new at home and you skip the import hassle and get the current referral benefit on top, typically free Supercharging. If the price gap is smaller than you thought once VAT and tax are counted in, a new car with a referral can end up the better overall buy. See also how an ordinary Tesla purchase in Denmark works.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth importing a used Tesla from Germany? It can be, but it is not guaranteed. The saving comes from Germany's larger used market and lower prices, not from a subsidy, the German environmental bonus (BAFA) ended in December 2023. Always do the maths on the specific car: German price, transport, customs inspection, Danish registration tax and any VAT.
Do I pay Danish VAT on a used Tesla from Germany? It depends on the car's age and mileage. If it counts as new for VAT (under 6 months or under 6,000 km), you pay 25% Danish VAT. If it is both over 6 months old and over 6,000 km, it counts as used and you pay the price including the 19% German VAT, with no extra Danish VAT. Always confirm with Skattestyrelsen.
How is registration tax calculated on an imported Tesla? From the car's taxable value, the market price the Motor Agency assesses it to have on the Danish market, not your German price. For EVs the tax is phased in gradually towards 2030, so the amount depends on the value and the rules in the year of registration.
What is a customs inspection (toldsyn)? An inspection of the imported car, where it is checked and valued before it can be registered. The valuation forms the basis for the registration tax, and once it is paid the car can get Danish plates.
Does Tesla's warranty carry over when importing from Germany? Tesla's new-vehicle warranty is generally international, and the remaining vehicle and battery warranty typically follows the car. Terms can vary, so get the warranty status confirmed in writing by Tesla for the specific car.