Am I allowed to use a dashcam in my car?
Yes, but only event-based. Running a dashcam is allowed — but permanent, reasonless continuous recording of public space breaches the GDPR and can be fined. The camera is permissible if it uses a loop function and stores footage only briefly and event-based — e.g. on an impact (crash) or at the push of a button. Per the Federal Court of Justice (VI ZR 233/17), such footage is often usable as court evidence even if it is borderline under data-protection law.
📋 The rules
- Permanent, reasonless recording of public space breaches the GDPR
- Permissible only with a loop/overwrite recording and short storage
- Permanent storage only event-based (impact/crash or manual trigger)
- Do not publish footage (e.g. on social media) — it violates personality rights
- In court (Federal Court VI ZR 233/17) event-based footage is often admissible as evidence
- The camera must not block the driver's view (mind where it is mounted)
🔓 Exceptions
- Event-based short clips to secure evidence after a crash are permissible and admissible
- Footage on purely private land (your own yard) is under looser rules
- Pure parking-guard mode is tricky: continuous filming of surroundings stays problematic
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Anyone who films and stores permanently and reasonlessly risks a data-protection fine (GDPR breach) — the amount is set case-by-case by the data-protection authority. Publishing identifiable people or plates can additionally trigger injunctions and damages. A view-obstructing mount can draw a warning fine.
📎 Official sources
- ADAC · dashcams in the car →
- Lower Saxony Data Protection Commissioner · dashcam FAQ →
- Bußgeldkatalog · dashcam →
❓ Frequently asked
Are dashcams allowed in Germany?
Yes, operating one is allowed — but not permanent, reasonless recording. The camera is GDPR-compliant only if it records on a loop and stores footage only briefly and event-based (e.g. on impact).
Can I use dashcam footage in court?
Often yes. The Federal Court ruled that event-based footage can be admissible as evidence in civil proceedings, even if it was captured in a data-protection-questionable way. Courts weigh each case.
What is banned under data protection?
Permanent, reasonless filming and lasting storage of public space. Doing so breaches the GDPR and risks a fine from the data-protection authority. Publishing identifiable people is also off-limits.
Can I post the footage online?
No. Putting identifiable people, faces and number plates online violates their personality rights and can trigger injunction and damages claims — regardless of whether the recording itself was permissible.
How must the camera be set up?
With loop recording that continuously overwrites older sequences, and lasting storage only on a trigger such as an impact or button press. That keeps the use as GDPR-compliant as possible.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “dashcam allowed germany 2026”
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- “dashcam loop setting”