A method for transferring at least one navigation element from a vehicle navigation unit to a master station. The vehicle navigation unit does not include a database sufficient for a route calculation, including an input device via which a user is able to input navigation element data concerning at least one navigation element, the vehicle navigation unit including communications devices, or cooperating with separate communications devices, to exchange data with a master station in which routes are calculated. The vehicle navigation unit includes an arrangement to select at least one navigation element database entry, of a plurality of navigation element database entries, which are transmitted by the master station as response to the navigation element data transmitted to the master station, when the master station is not able uniquely to assign a plurality of navigation element database entries to at least one navigation element.