Our Easy-To-Follow Step-by-Step Guide to Registering Your Car in Spain

Planning to move to or spend an extended period of time in Spain, it may seem like a perfect way to keep familiarity going by bringing your car to this truly beautiful country. But before hitting the roads, you’ll have to get your vehicle legally registered in Spain. Car registration in Spain is not only a matter of bureaucracy but a purely legal obligation, whether the car has been brought from any other EU country or shipped in from outside the continent. Whichever the case, it is necessary to register your vehicle. This may seem a bit overwhelming at first sight, especially for those who have never dealt with Spanish bureaucracy. With good preparation, patience, and guidance, however, it is completely achievable. This long guide will walk you through every step in the process that you need to know to have your car registered in Spain, complete with references to Register-Your-Car.com, a helpful resource to help you through the task.

Why You Must Register Your Car in Spain

If you plan to stay in Spain for a period exceeding six months, then it is a legal requirement that you register your car with the Spanish authorities. Driving a foreign-registered vehicle beyond this period may result in fines, impounding of the vehicle, or even prohibition from driving within Spain.

Registering your car in Spain isn’t just about legal compliance; it’s also a way to make sure that your vehicle meets Spanish road safety and environmental standards. The only way to get Spanish plates, pay the necessary taxes, and be included in the national vehicle database is by registering your vehicle. This is especially true in regard to road safety inspections, known as ITV, and insurance claims.

But for both EU and Spanish citizens, entry into the kingdom with your previous registration plates doesn’t put you in exemption from registration; although the law facilitates life enough due to the community regulations of moving anywhere you want in that bloc, since you belong and live there legally, regarding any ownership of belongings, it applies to that law.

For non-EU residents, the process is more complex, as customs duties and additional taxes may apply. But regardless of where you’re moving from, registering your car in Spain is a necessary part of settling into life there.

Gather Your Documentation

Before you start the whole process of car registration, ensure that all necessary documents are in your possession. Spanish bureaucracy is infamously strict, and the lack of one form can delay your registration by several weeks or even months.

Here’s a list of what you will be needing:

• NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero): Your number of identification for foreigners, required for almost every legal process in Spain.
• Original Vehicle’s Registration Certificate: This is a proof that the car is registered within your home country, with relevant information about the vehicle.
• Proof of Ownership: This is usually a bill of sale or an invoice from where the car was legally purchased. * ITV Certificate: A test certificate of roadworthiness issued in Spain upon passage of the ITV test by your car. * Proof of Payment for Import and Registration Taxes: Depending on the origin of your car, import duties, VAT, and registration taxes may be applicable and should be paid.
• Insurance Documents: Proof of valid car insurance, preferably with a Spanish insurer.
• Identification: Your passport and residency papers.
  Ensure all foreign documents are officially translated into Spanish by a certified translator. Some of these documents may have to be notarized or carry an apostille, depending on your home country.

Pay Any Applicable Import Duties

If your car is imported from outside the European Union, it will be liable for import duties and VAT upon arrival in Spain. These taxes are calculated on the value of your vehicle, its age, and its CO2 emissions.

No import duties may be payable by EU citizens importing cars from other European states, but registration is another matter because the Spanish register their cars at varying rates according to the car’s emissions. Just because no import duty might be payable it is still necessary to declare it at customs and obtain a certificate of clearance prior to registering the vehicle.

For detailed information about import duties and taxes, check out Register-Your-Car.com, a portal with all current information you may want to know about the tax rate and exemptions.

Pass the ITV Inspection

ITV is the Spanish equivalent of the roadworthiness test. Your car might have passed safety tests in your country, but it will also need to go through an ITV in Spain for compliance with Spanish safety and emissions standards.

During the ITV inspection, technicians will check your car’s brakes, tires, lights, emissions, and overall mechanical condition. If your vehicle doesn’t pass, you’ll need to make the necessary repairs and schedule a follow-up inspection.

To get an ITV appointment, go down to your local ITV testing station, which is usually located in the majority of towns and cities in Spain. Remember to take along your vehicle’s original registration certificate and your NIE.

Obtain the Emissions Certificate

One of the most important things when it comes to registering your car in Spain is to determine the car’s CO2 emissions. It will be used to work out your registration tax (Impuesto de Matriculación), which depends on how much your car emits.

Cars with low emissions, such as electric or hybrid cars, can receive tax breaks or exemptions. In contrast, the older the car and the higher the emission, the higher the registration tax will generally be.

If the documentation does not indicate the emissions data of your car, you will need to request an emissions certificate from the manufacturer or obtain this information through the ITV inspection.

Pay Registration Tax and Road Tax

Once you’ve completed the ITV inspection and obtained your emissions certificate, it’s time to pay the registration tax. This is a one-time tax that’s calculated as a percentage of your car’s value and its emissions. The rate typically ranges from 0% for low-emission vehicles to 14.75% for older or more polluting vehicles.

In addition to the road tax, you’ll be required to pay the annual circulation tax (Impuesto de Circulación). The amount is decided by your municipality and is based on the power output of the car. This will cost anything from €20 to €200 a year depending on your location.

Both of these taxes must be paid before you can register your vehicle, and you will receive receipts for both, which must then accompany the rest of your documentation.

Present Your Documents at the Traffic Office

With all your documents in order, your car having passed the ITV, and your taxes paid, it’s time to visit your local traffic office, known as the Jefatura de Tráfico.

Here, you will deliver your finished documentation, including taxes and ITV-invoices, along with your paperwork. The DGT-traffic office will then give you the new registration certificate (Permiso de Circulación*) after verification, along with a Spanish license plate number assigned to you.

This will be a few days or even weeks, depending on the situation. In some cases, you will be issued a temporary document that allows you to drive legally before your registration certificate arrives.

Install Your Spanish License Plates

Once you have been given your new Spanish registration certificate, you can have your license plates made and fitted. Many repair shops for cars or specialist license plate providers can make the plates while you wait.

Make sure the plates are fitted correctly to your car according to Spanish regulations. With the new Spanish plates fitted, you’re now officially ready to hit the road as a fully compliant driver.

Most Common Problems to Encounter While Registering a Car

Registration of a car in Spain is generally bureaucratic and can’t always go smoothly without hitches or delays. Common problems encountered most often are the following:

• Missing or not correctly translated documents
• Not passing the ITV on safety or emission grounds
• Queues in government offices
• Trouble working out and paying the correct amount of tax

If you’re unsure of anything at any time, engage the services of a gestor. These lawyers handle all paperwork and will walk you through it step by step. For further advice and resources, check out Register-Your-Car.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I register my car in Spain if I’m staying only temporarily?

If you are in Spain for less than six months, then you can drive your car with foreign plates. But when this period of time is exceeded within one calendar year, you would have to register your car with the Spanish authorities.

Are there any exemptions from registration taxes?

If you are moving to Spain and your car forms part of your personal effects, you will be exempt from the payment of registration tax. You should contact customs for further advice or consult the website below.

Is it possible to drive a right-hand-drive car in Spain?

Yes, it is possible to register right-hand-drive cars in Spain, but they may have to be adapted in order to meet Spanish safety requirements, such as headlight adjustment.

What if I fail to register my car in time?

You will be fined, your car will be taken to the pound lot, or you could face other legal sanctions for driving beyond six months without registering. Start the process right away.

Am I allowed to sell my foreign-registered car in Spain?

You cannot sell any foreign-registered car in Spain without it first being registered in Spanish plates.

What do I do if my car does not pass the ITV?

If it doesn’t pass ITV, you will have to make the necessary repairs to schedule a re-inspection. Without a valid ITV certificate, you can’t go through with the registration process.

It can take up to a couple of months depending on how smoothly each step in the process goes.

Do I need Spanish car insurance to register my car?

Yes, to register your car, you will be required to provide proof of valid insurance with a Spanish provider.

Final Thoughts

It might be overwhelming to register your car in Spain, but with the right preparation and resources, it is absolutely achievable. By following this step-by-step guide and consulting reliable resources like Register-Your-Car.com, you will get through the process with confidence.

By keeping your car legally registered, you will avoid fines and a lot of bureaucracy, adding to your peace of mind regarding full compliance with Spanish law. Once all is in order, you can enjoy the fun part: exploring Spain’s diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and quaint villages from the comfort of your own vehicle.