Importing & Registering a Foreign Vehicle in Spain

Share | Print

Importing & Registering a Foreign Vehicle in Spain

In order to register a car in Spain, vehicles must undergo a safety inspection similar to the UKs MOT test. Import taxes as well as IVA may be payable on imported vehicles.

Residency and Vehicle Registration

It is illegal for residents of Spain to drive a car with foreign plates. If entering Spain with foreign plates, residents are allowed to drive from the port of entry to their residence only. Spanish plates must be obtained within 30 days of entry. Temporary permission to drive an imported vehicle - and temporary licence plates - should be obtained from the provincial Traffic Department (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) or full re-registration of the car must be undertaken.

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. 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. 

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 the country of registration. However once it that has been used for six months it should be officially sealed (precintado) by Customs authorities (aduana). 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 customs officials and the vehicle may be driven again for another 180 days. There is a small fee for this service.

Documents Needed to Obtain an ITV Certificate

Before being registered in Spain, foreign vehicles have to pass an official control test (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) at an ITV station. Inspections are made by appointment. 

New Vehicles

The following documents will be needed for an ITV test:

• The vehicle's technical specifications (provided by the vehicle manufacturer or representative) as well as a Spanish translation
• Receipt of payment of duty (original and photocopy)
• Purchase receipt (original and photocopy)
• Unic Certificate (Certificado Unico or Certificado de Adeudo), obtainable from the Traffic Department
  Note: The Unic Certificate is not necessary for vehicles coming from EU countries

Used Vehicles

• The vehicle's technical specifications (provided by the vehicle manufacturer or representative) as well as a Spanish translation
• Receipt of payment of duty (original and photocopy)
• Purchase receipt (original and photocopy)
• Vehicle registration papers
• Classic cars (históricos) require a special control test (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) as well as an authenticity certificate from the regional government (comunidad autónoma)

• For further information see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: ITV Vehicle Roadworthiness in Spain

Note: Registering a right-hand drive vehicle in Spain could prove to be difficult as the Spanish government is increasingly considering them to be unsafe due to limited visibility. It is important to note that a person who is already a resident of Spain who buys a foreign, right-hand drive car with the intention of importing and registering it in Spain may be able to go through the importation process, but then be refused an ITV test. This would make the car illegal to drive. Residents of Spain considering importing a right-hand drive foreign car should consult a local ITV station for advice.

Importing an EU Vehicle 

Taxes on vehicles from EU countries

New car: If importing a new vehicle, 16 percent VAT (IVA) must be paid at any bank that collaborates with the Tax Department.  Application Form 565 from the Spanish Customs Office should be completed and the application fee paid in any bank that collaborates with the Tax Department (ask for a list of banks at the local tax office).

Used car: Imported vehicles owned for more than six months prior to the owner becoming resident in Spain are not subject to import duty, provided that VAT was paid in the EU country in which the vehicle was purchased. 

A registration tax (impuesto sobre determinados medios de transporte) is due on all cars and must be paid in the local tax office (Agencia Tributaria). This is a tax based on engine capacity and it applies to both diesel and petrol engines: 

• Cars of 2,000cc and less are taxed at 7 percent
• Other vehicles are taxed at 12 percent

Registering vehicles from another EU country

In order to register a car in Spain, an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is required. 

The following documents must be submitted at the local Traffic Department:

• An application form available from the local Traffic Department
• Personal identification (residence card or passport; original and photocopies suggested) 
• Proof of address such as a lease or deed (original and photocopy)
• Receipt of payment of local car tax (impuesto municipal sobre vehículos de tracción mecánica/IVTM) from the local town hall or Traffic Department
• Receipt of payment of registration tax (impuesto especial sobre determinados medios de transporte), original and photocopy
• Registration document (Permiso de Circulación y Permiso Para Conducción)
• Proof that VAT (IVA) has been paid in the country of purchase (original and photocopy)
• Technical Test Certificate Card (Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica) obtainable from an ITV station (original and photocopy)
• Vehicle purchase receipt (original and photocopy)
• Certificate of Conformity (Certificado de Conformidad) from the vehicle manufacturer or a certified representative (original and photocopy)
• If applicable, declaration of ownership of other Spanish-registered vehicles
• If applicable, declaration of possession of a Spanish driving licence
• If the vehicle is from the Netherlands, Form RDW 323 (available from the local Traffic Department)

Importing a Non-EU Vehicle

Taxes on vehicles from non-EU countries

• 10 percent import duty (based on original market price with reductions based on age of the vehicle), payable at Customs offices
• 16 percent VAT (IVA), payable at Customs offices
• Registration tax (impuesto sobre determinados medios de transporte) of 7 to 12 percent based on the vehicle's engine capacity. Application Form 565 from the Spanish customs office should be completed and the fee paid in the local tax office or any bank which collaborates with the Tax Department (ask for a list of banks at the local tax office). 

Registering vehicles from outside the EU

It is generally considered easier to purchase a vehicle already registered in Spain, or a new vehicle in Spain. The process involved in importing and registering a foreign car can be time-consuming and expensive. Many people who choose to do so hire a gestor to handle the procedure.

Tourist Plates: "Z" plates 

When buying a vehicle in Spain that is intended for export, apply for temporary tourist plates (matrícula turística) from the Customs Office. These are assigned to cars that are to be eventually exported from the country and registered elsewhere. The period of validity varies, depending on circumstances. If an extension of the tourist plates is needed (one extension is possible), apply at the local Traffic Department Office.

The following documents must be provided to obtain tourist plates:

• An application form available from the local Traffic Department
• Proof of identification (residence card or passport) and proof of address such as a lease or deed (original and photocopy)
• Proof of approval from Customs authorities (Administración Tributaria/Aduanas) that identifies the vehicle make and chassis number
• Receipt of payment of local car tax (impuesto municipal sobre vehículos de tracción mecánica/IVTM) from the local town hall or Traffic Department; or proof of exemption from payment
• Technical Test Certificate Card (Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica) as well as the blue and red copies; obtainable from an ITV station (original and photocopy) 

Related Information

• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Driving in Spain
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Insuring a Car or Vehicle in Spain
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Accidents in Spain
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Using or Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Spain
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Spanish Driving Licences
• The Spanish Customs and Taxation Office (Agencia Tributaria)
• The Spanish Traffic Office (Dirección General de Tráfico)