Register your car in Spain — import, customs and transfers
I register foreign cars in Spain, handle customs clearance for vehicles from outside the EU and process used-car transfers. Customs, taxes, ITV inspection and DGT paperwork — all taken care of.
depends on the case · fees and taxes extra
- Cars from the EU and outside the EU
- Duty-free import when relocating
- ITV, registration tax, Spanish plates
- Filing with the DGT for you
What I handle
- Registration (matriculación) of vehicles brought from another EU country.
- Customs clearance for vehicles from outside the EU: customs declaration (DUA), duty and VAT, or relocation exemption.
- Spanish plates for foreign-registered cars of new residents.
- Registration tax (Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte, form 576) or exemption (form 06).
- Transfers of used vehicles: transfer tax (ITP) and change of ownership at the DGT.
- Other DGT procedures: de-registration, duplicate documents and vehicle history reports before you buy.
How an imported car is registered
- Document check: foreign registration certificate, invoice or purchase contract and certificate of conformity (COC).
- Customs — only for cars from outside the EU: DUA and payment of duty and VAT, or exemption.
- ITV inspection and ITV card. Some vehicles need additional homologation.
- Registration tax (form 576) or exemption (form 06).
- Registration at the DGT: Spanish registration certificate and plates.
- Afterwards: local road tax (IVTM) at your town hall.
Importing your car when you relocate
When you move your residence to Spain, your personal car can be imported from outside the EU free of duty and VAT if:
- you lived outside the EU for at least 12 months;
- you own the car and used it for at least 6 months before moving;
- it is imported within 12 months of your move;
- it isn't sold, rented out or lent for 12 months after import.
Relocation may also exempt you from registration tax. Without an exemption, imports from outside the EU pay 10% customs duty and 21% VAT, and registration tax ranges from 0% to 14.75% depending on CO₂ emissions.
Driving on foreign plates as a resident
Once you become a resident of Spain, you can't keep driving a foreign-registered car indefinitely: it has to be registered in Spain to avoid fines and insurance problems.
Buying a used car in Spain
Before you buy, I check the DGT report: liens, seizures and ownership history. After purchase I process the transfer: contract, transfer tax (ITP) and change of ownership at the DGT.
Free cost estimate
Tell me about the car and where it comes from: taxes, timing and my fee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register a Russian car in Spain?
EU sanctions restrict the entry of vehicles registered in Russia. It depends on the specific situation, so get advice before shipping the car to avoid wasting money.
How much tax will I pay?
From outside the EU without exemption: 10% duty and 21% VAT on the customs value. Registration tax is 0% to 14.75% depending on CO₂. Plus DGT fees and the ITV inspection. When relocating, many of these can be avoided.
Do I need to be present?
Most procedures I handle with your authorisation. You only need to take the car to the ITV inspection.
How long does registration take?
Usually from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on customs, the certificate of conformity (COC) and the ITV appointment.
What do I need to register a car in my name?
Usually an NIE or TIE and municipal registration (empadronamiento), plus the vehicle documents. I'll give you the exact list for your case.
Other services
Tell me about your car
Make, year, country of registration, where it is now and when you moved to Spain. I'll tell you what needs doing and what it costs.