Registration of foreign cars in Spain
Do you want to know how to register a foreign car in Spain? Whether it is for a change of residence or a commercial import, we tell you everything you need to know to register your vehicle in Spain.
How to register a foreign car in Spain?
1) Documentation for vehicle registration
The first step in registering a foreign car in Spain is to obtain the necessary documentation in order to start the car registration process. The documentation for registering a car in Spain will vary depending on the type of vehicle import you wish to bring into Spain.
There are two types of registration of foreign cars in Spain: registration by change of residence or registration without change of residence.
What documentation is needed to register a foreign car?
If you want to move to Spain and bring your car and vehicle with you, this is the documentation you need to provide in order to register your foreign car due to a change of residence:
Registering a foreign car due to a change of residence
- SAD. The Single Administrative Document in paper format must be presented to the customs authorities.
- NIE/DNI/Passport of the owner of the vehicle
- Registration document (“padrón“)
- Technical Data Sheet
- Circulation permit
- Invoice of purchase of the vehicle or contract of sale and purchase
- Sworn translation of the contract of sale
- Consular registration
- *Other documents that can be presented to justify the registration of the vehicle in Spain due to a change of residence are: The employment contract, the rental contract….
What is the vehicle registration tax in Spain due to a change of residence?
Those who transport their foreign car to Spain and want to register it due to a change of residence or moving will be exempt from paying certain taxes. In other words, for the registration of foreign vehicles in Spain due to a change of residence, NO registration tax is payable.
Registering a foreign car without a change of residence
If you wish to import a foreign car into Spain without a change of residence, we will refer to a commercial import of a car. In the case of a commercial import of a foreign car into Spain, the documentation that we will have to provide for its registration will be as follows:
- DUA
- NIE/ DNI
- Registration document (“padrón”)
- Technical Data Sheet
- Circulation permit
- Invoice of purchase of the vehicle or contract of sale and purchase
- Sworn translation of the purchase contract
What is the vehicle registration tax in Spain for commercial imports?
Those who want to bring their car or motor vehicle into Spain without a change of residence will be obliged to pay the vehicle registration tax.
2) Passing the Technical Inspection of the vehicle
Once we have the necessary documentation to proceed with the registration of the foreign car in Spain, the next step is to pass the MOT.
Even if the foreign car has already passed the Technical Inspection in its country of origin, the technical inspection of the vehicle will be obligatory and necessary in Spain if you wish to register the car.
*Cars imported from the USA may require some adaptation of the vehicle to pass the ITV.
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3) Vehicle registration tax in Spain
The third step in registering a foreign car in Spain is to pay the registration tax. This tax is levied on the first registration of a new or used car in Spain. It is only payable once, whether or not the ownership changes, as long as the vehicle remains in Spain.
Where is the registration tax paid in Spain?
To pay the registration tax in Spain, you must fill in form 576, which corresponds to the Special Tax on Certain Means of Transport or IEDM, from the Tax Agency.
Are there any exceptions to the payment of registration tax?
Yes, as mentioned above, if the foreign car is imported into Spain due to a change of residence or moving to Spain, registration tax is not payable.
Other situations in which the registration tax is NOT payable in Spain are:
- Persons with reduced mobility who buy a new or used vehicle for their exclusive use.
- The car is not sold within four years of registration.
- Taxis, driving school cars or rental cars will not pay registration tax either.
How much vehicle registration tax do you pay in Spain?
How much registration tax do I pay? The price of registration tax for a foreign car in Spain will depend on the characteristics of the vehicle and the province where it is registered.
- Car model
- Province of registration
- Age of the vehicle
- Combined C02 emissions
How to calculate registration tax in Spain?
We can calculate the registration tax for foreign cars in Spain by applying a depreciation for age to the taxable value of the vehicle (value of the vehicle based on its sale price) and adding a percentage according to its CO2 emissions.
- 0%: foreign cars with emissions of less than or equal to 120g/km of CO2
- 4.75%: foreign cars with emissions of more than 120 and less than 160 g/km of CO2
- 9.75%: foreign cars with emissions greater than or equal to 160 and less than 200 g/km CO2
- 14.75%: foreign cars with emissions of 200 g/km CO2 or more
4) Road tax
Another tax that must be paid in order to register a foreign car in Spain is the road tax. To do this, you will have to go to the municipal council in the town hall of the municipality in which the vehicle owner is registered.
5) Obtaining temporary registration plates
While the registration of the foreign car in Spain is being processed, temporary registration plates, known as “green plates“, must be applied for. These plates will allow the vehicle to circulate in Spanish territory while the definitive registration plates are being processed.
Can I drive a car with a foreign number plate in Spain?
Without green plates or temporary registration plates, it is not possible to drive a foreign car in Spain. For this reason, when registering the car in Spain, the application for temporary plates or green plates must be made.
Documentation to apply for a temporary registration for a foreign car in Spain
- Application on the official DGT form
- Corresponding fee paid (20,20€)
- Identification of the owner and interested party in obtaining the temporary number plates.
Price of registering a foreign car in Spain
How much does it cost to register a foreign car in Spain in 2020? The price for registering an imported car in Spain will depend on the services we contract for its registration.
At Relomar we register foreign cars and vehicles imported into Spain, including all the necessary paperwork.
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- Compilation of documents necessary for registration
- Passing the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV)
- Obtaining documents, management and payment of the registration tax, road tax and IEDMT (IEDMT)
- Management and payment of other taxes derived from the registration of a foreign vehicle in Spain: Payment of VAT through the 303 or 309 form, payment of the transfer tax…
The price for the complete service of registration of a foreign car in Spain, would be around 1.400 € approximately, while requesting these services without ITV would leave the price of our vehicle registration services in Spain for 1.100 €.