How to register a car in Spain

How to register a car in Spain

How to register a car in Spain - Importing a UK car to Spain to matriculate onto Spanish number plates can be a costly and quite complex procedure and it is debatable whether the cost is worth it compared to just buying a Spanish vehicle. We advise contacting a gestor to help you with the whole process.

The first step is telling the DVLA that you’re taking your vehicle out of the UK, for 12 months or more. This is known as permanent export.  Read guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK

Taking a vehicle out of the UK For less than 12 months - You must take your vehicle logbook (V5C) with you if you’re taking your vehicle abroad for less than 12 months. You may have to show it if you’re stopped at a port or while driving abroad.  Read more HERE

Taxes if you buy a new vehicle to take abroad - If you buy a new or used vehicle to take out of the UK, you might not have to pay UK VAT or vehicle taxes such as the registration fee.

How to register a car in Spain - Residents

If you are registered as a resident or spend longer than 6 months of the year in Spain, you must register your vehicle with the Spanish authorities and you may need to pay some taxes. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so, you will need certificates of exemption.

Read the Spanish Traffic Authority’s guidance on registering a foreign vehicle in Spain.

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Non-resident, non-EU citizens

A car owned by a non-EU citizen may be kept in Spain as long as it is only used for up to 180 days (six months) in a calendar year and remains road-legal in its country of registration. However, once it has been used for six months, it should be officially sealed (precintado) by Customs authorities (aduana) or the Guardia Civil. Though not commonly done, it can be used as proof that the vehicle was not driven illegally. At the start of the next calendar year, the seals may be removed by the officials and the vehicle may be driven again for another 180 days. There is a fee for this service.

Non-resident EU citizens

EU citizens who are not Spanish residents may drive their foreign-registered vehicles (cars, motorbikes and caravans) in Spain for up to 180 days (six months) in a calendar year as long as it is road-worthy in the country in which it is registered. In this case, only the owner of the vehicle may drive it. Students from another EU country studying in Spain are permitted to temporarily import a car for the duration of their studies, but proof of enrolment in an academic institution will be requested.

A foreign-registered vehicle may remain in Spain for more than 180 days in a calendar year as long as it is not driven. Even though EU citizens are no longer required to obtain a residence card, after 182 days the vehicle must be registered in Spain or garaged.

Note: the six-month period need not be consecutive and is counted over the course of a calendar year only. This period is based on the owner's and not the car's presence in Spain.

The procedures relating to importing and registering a foreign vehicle are complex. It is possible to complete the process independently, but there are specialist companies that can provide assistance.

In order to register a car in Spain, a vehicle must undergo a ITV safety inspection similar to the UK's MOT test. Import taxes as well as IVA may be payable on imported vehicles once registered.

PREPARING YOUR VEHICLE FOR THE ITV

To register a foreign vehicle on to Spanish places you will always need to produce the original registration documents, these need to be surrendered to the Spanish authorities in exchange for your new Spanish documents.

Fo Uk vehicles all you need is the V%C logbook, if the registration documents are not in your name, then you will have to pay additional taxes when registering the vehicle here in Spain., in addition to the normal import costs, unless you have an EU dealers invoice which contains an international VAT number.  If you have a UK dealers invoice you will still have to pay the change of owner tax.

HEADLIGHTS - If you are importing your vehicle from continental Europe then the original headlights will be okay, but if it is a UK registered vehicle the headlights will have to be realigned or replaced.  The cheapest option is to have the beams realigned as replacement units can work out very expensive.

REAR LIGHTS - Most standard EU left hand drive vehicles rear lights are generally ok for the test as long as they are the original specification.

If you have a UK registered vehicle, it will either have dual or central rear fog lights or one on the right-hand side.  The dual rear fog lights or a factory fitted rear central light are accepted for the Spanish import test, the single right-hand light would need to be changed across to the lefthand side to comply with Spanish requirements.  Most rear lights can be adapted rather than replaced.

TYRES - Tyres must be the correct, size, load and speed rating for your vehicle make sure these comply with the manufacturer's advice.  If your tyres differ to those recommended, they may be ok if they are within 3% variance, if in doubt ask a tyre specialist before going to the expense of replacing them.

Any Tyres on each axle must be identical.

 WINDOWS - Tinted windows, if your vehicle has window tints these must be stamped and certified prior to the import test, front window tints are not permitted here in Spain so would need to be removed.

TOWBARS - Most tow bars will need to be removed prior to the Spanish import test, if your vehicle was fitted with a tow bar after it left the factory it will need to be removed.  If the tow bar was fitted at the factory, it should be ok as long as it is included in the vehicle's homologation.

WARNING LIGHTS - If you're vehicle has the ABS or engine management light illuminated it will fail the import test, so it is recommended to get a pre-import check wherever possible.

 SPEEDOMETER - In order for your vehicle to be imported on to Spanish plates it must be able to show speed in km/h.

MODIFICATIONS - Any aftermarket modifications are generally not permitted for import as the vehicle has to be in its original factory state.  if there are any modifications then your vehicle may have to pass an expensive test in addition to the normal import test.

INSURANCE - For your vehicle to be tested it must have a permanent insurance policy in place, you may be asked to provide a copy at the ITV station.

Please note the above is just a guide, we recommend speaking to a vehicle import specialist as this could save you a lot of hassle and money.

More assistance to register a car in Spain can be found via our Facebook Group.