When you move to Spain and become a resident, you are required to register your vehicle in Spain. You may either purchase a vehicle locally or import your existing car from another EU Member State.
Importing a vehicle is not impossible, but it requires preparation and an understanding of Spanish administrative procedures. Below you will find when registration is mandatory, which documents are required, how the process works, the associated costs, and how the registration tax is calculated.
If you are a tax resident in Spain (more than 183 days per calendar year), you must register your foreign-plated vehicle in Spain. In practice, you are expected to start this process within about 30 days after registering as a resident.
Non-residents may drive with a foreign (EU) license plate as long as they stay in Spain fewer than 183 days per calendar year and the vehicle is properly registered and insured in the country of origin. The car must not be effectively permanently based in Spain.
As a resident, driving long-term with a foreign license plate can lead to fines and tax reassessments.
For importing a car, the following documents are typically required:
Where required, these documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. If the COC certificate is missing, a separate technical homologation process is required. This leads to additional costs and delays.
If you move permanently to Spain, your car may, under certain conditions, be imported tax-free as part of your household relocation (menaje de hogar).
Main conditions:
In practice, this exemption usually applies to one car per person or household.
The plates are produced immediately (often within minutes) and typically cost around €20 to €40 per set. In some cases, plates must be ordered, which takes longer. After receiving them, you (or a garage) must mount them on the car. From that moment on, you may officially drive with your Spanish plates.
The registration tax (Impuesto de Matriculación) is calculated based on two factors:
CO₂ rates
The percentage is not calculated on the purchase price you paid, but on the official fiscal reference value used by the Spanish tax authority.
Fiscal value of the car
The age of the vehicle does not affect the tax percentage, but it does affect the value on which the percentage is applied. The Spanish tax authority publishes official value tables each year. Based on the year of manufacture, a depreciation percentage is applied.
Indicative depreciation:
The older the car, the lower the fiscal value and therefore the lower the registration tax.
Assuming:
Depreciation (6–7 years): 34%
Fiscal value = €30,000 × 34% = €10,200
CO₂ emissions: 150 g/km
Applicable rate: 4.75%
Registration tax = 4.75% of €10,200 = €484.50
As you can see, the final tax can be significantly lower than many people expect.
In addition to the registration tax, you should take into account:
On average, the total cost is between €800 and €2,000, depending on the vehicle, age and emissions.
With complete documentation, the process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. Missing documents or homologation procedures can extend this timeline.
The process is administrative but manageable. If you speak enough Spanish and have time to book appointments and complete forms correctly, you can do it yourself.
If you want certainty and fewer administrative headaches, a specialised gestor can handle the process for you. Some companies that can help include: Auto Import Costa Blanca or El Puerto Gestoria (Pérez Gimeno) in Altea (also for boats).
When you move to Spain and become resident, it is mandatory to register your vehicle there. This can be done by buying a car in Spain or importing your vehicle from an EU country, provided you meet certain conditions and costs. The administrative and tax procedures, including obtaining Spanish plates and paying the registration tax, can be complex—especially if you are not yet fluent in Spanish. It may therefore be advisable to use a specialised company (a “gestoría”) for assistance with registration and required documentation.
SOURCES
Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT): https://www.dgt.es
Vehicle registration: https://www.dgt.es/nuestros-servicios/tu-vehiculo/matriculacion-de-vehiculos/
Agencia Tributaria – registration tax: https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es
Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte: https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es/Sede/impuestos-tasas/impuestos-especiales/impuesto-especial-determinados-medios-transporte.html
Boletín Oficial del Estado – official value tables: https://www.boe.es
European Commission – registering a vehicle in another EU country: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/registration/registration-abroad/