Russia Moves to Legalize Cars Reportedly Stolen in the EU — What It Could Mean for Europe

Russia is considering legislative changes that would permit the legal registration of vehicles in its territory that were originally stolen in European Union countries and later transported into Russia. The proposal, drawn up by the Russian Interior Ministry, has stirred alarm among law enforcement organizations in Germany and other EU member states over the potential for this policy to inadvertently encourage car thefts.

Proposal to Change Vehicle Registration Rules in Russia

Under current Russian law, vehicles that are subject to international search notices cannot be legally registered or used in the country. However, authorities in Moscow are now preparing a bill that would reverse this restriction for vehicles listed as wanted by what the Kremlin calls “hostile states.” According to a report in the Moscow daily Kommersant, this initiative was drafted following directives from President Vladimir Putin.
The Interior Ministry argues the reform is intended to protect Russian citizens whose cars have been declared wanted on the basis of politically motivated actions by foreign governments.

Who Is Affected by the Draft Bill?

In addition to the 27 member states of the European Union, Russia’s list of “hostile states” includes Switzerland, Norway, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The proposed changes would also extend to vehicles that Ukraine has classified as missing, particularly those taken from regions under occupation.

Russia’s Claim: Lack of Cooperation from Germany

According to the Kommersant article, Moscow claims that German authorities have failed to respond to Russian requests for information about vehicles flagged as internationally missing. Russia alleges that Berlin has ignored these requests “for political reasons,” which makes it challenging for Russian officials to verify the legality of certain cars found in their territory.

In January 2026, Moscow officials reported locating 123 vehicles that Germany had listed as internationally wanted. However, the specifics regarding why these vehicles were sought were not shared with Russian authorities.

Germany Denies Any Data Exchange With Russia

Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt, or BKA) has confirmed that there is no operative information exchange with Russia relating to stolen vehicles. While the BKA acknowledged having received inquiries from Russian officials, the agency emphasized that matters involving ownership disputes or requests for restitution fall under civil law—issues outside their investigative mandate.

The BKA also declined to comment on whether Russia’s legislative proposal might fuel a rise in car theft cases in Germany. They noted that the 123 vehicles cited by Russia represent only a small fraction of the actual number of stolen vehicles in Germany. In 2024 alone, German police recorded that 30,373 vehicles were stolen, but only 8,858 cases were successfully resolved, a clearance rate of under 30%.

German Police Union Warns of Crime Incentives

A representative of Germany’s largest police union, the GdP (Gewerkschaft der Polizei), has expressed concern that the draft law could act as a strong motivator for organized criminal networks. According to GdP spokesperson Benjamin Jendro, official communications with Russian counterparts are already minimal. He pointed out that there have been instances where Russian authorities located vehicles wanted in Germany, but logistical and legal hurdles often prevented their return.

Jendro described the legislative proposal as “a disastrous message” that might undermine efforts to combat international trafficking of stolen vehicles. With car theft figures already high and steady, he warned that legalizing stolen cars’ registration would weaken law enforcement’s ability to disrupt criminal rings active in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Concerns Over Car Theft Networks and Anti‑Theft Technology

European law enforcement has noted patterns where stolen vehicles are quickly moved to Eastern European countries to evade detection or dismantled for parts. Improvements in anti‑theft technology—such as GPS trackers—have helped reduce certain types of theft, but many vehicles are still stolen using detailed targeting lists, making them attractive to organized crime.

Russian Voices Say Insurance Fraud Could Rise

Some commentators within Russia have suggested another potential consequence: an increase in fraudulent insurance claims. Alexander Kholodov, a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, told Autonews that the new legal framework may inadvertently facilitate “staged thefts.” In this scenario, a car is purportedly sold in Germany, transported to Russia, and only then reported as stolen—allowing the original owner to claim insurance payouts.

Another legal expert, Sergei Smirnov, echoed those concerns, suggesting that individuals outside of Russia might be incentivized to orchestrate insurance scams rather than genuine thefts.

German Insurance Industry Responds

However, the German Insurance Association (GDV) has rejected the idea that staged theft schemes are widespread. The GDV stated that they see no evidence of such fraud on a large scale and reaffirmed that most claims relate to actual thefts rather than fabricated losses.

Moreover, the association does not expect that Russia’s proposed law will directly lead to a significant uptick in car theft cases in Germany.