Guide To Importing A Car Or Other Vehicle Into Spain

Expat Tips Published: 11 June 2019 11:52 CET Updated: 27 April 2025 15:04 CET

Bringing a foreign vehicle into Spain can be straightforward when you know the steps — but it can also become expensive and time-consuming if you miss key paperwork or tax requirements. This 2025 guide explains how to import a car or other vehicle into Spain, what taxes apply, when ITV is required, how to register your vehicle with the DGT, and when temporary green plates may be used.

Do you need to import and register your foreign vehicle?

If you are moving to Spain, becoming a resident, or spending long periods in the country, foreign-registered vehicles cannot simply remain on overseas plates indefinitely. As a rule:

Residents must register a foreign vehicle in Spain within 30 days of establishing residency.
Non-residents may drive a foreign vehicle for up to 6 months in a 12-month period — but the vehicle must not belong to a Spanish resident.
Tax residents (more than 183 days in Spain) cannot legally drive a foreign-plated vehicle they own.

If your vehicle is UK-registered, make sure you understand the current rules by reading our guide to driving your UK registered car in Spain.

Once you begin the import process, the vehicle must pass an ITV inspection, taxes must be settled, and registration completed with the DGT before Spanish plates can be issued.

For EU-registered vehicles specifically, see our step-by-step guide on how to register a vehicle from the EU in Spain.

The steps to import a vehicle into Spain in 2025

Most vehicles follow the same four-stage process:

Import the vehicle (customs procedures for non-EU vehicles)
ITV inspection and technical verification
Payment of taxes (IVTM, IEDMT and, where applicable, VAT/duties)
Registration with the DGT and obtaining Spanish plates

Below is a full breakdown of each stage.

1. Bringing your vehicle into Spain

EU vehicles entering Spain

If the vehicle is coming from another EU Member State, there are no customs formalities and no import duty. However, registration rules still apply if the vehicle will remain in Spain or if you become a resident.

Non-EU vehicles

Vehicles imported from outside the EU must be released by Spanish customs before entering circulation. This may involve:

10% customs duty (depending on vehicle origin)
21% VAT (charged on customs value)
Presentation of purchase documents, bill of lading, and identity documents

Once cleared, the vehicle may proceed to ITV for Spanish technical certification.

2. ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) for imported vehicles

All vehicles being re-registered in Spain must pass an ITV inspection unless a valid EU roadworthiness certificate can be accepted (not always possible for used imports or vehicles with modifications). The ITV centre will:

Verify the vehicle identification number (VIN)
Check conformity with Spanish and EU safety standards
Issue a Spanish ITV technical card (ficha técnica)

You can find a full breakdown of the ITV process, test points, and valid ITV intervals in our guide to the ITV car test in Spain.

Required documents for ITV

Registration certificate from the country of origin
Certificate of Conformity (CoC) if available
Purchase invoice or sales contract
Proof of identity (passport/NIE/TIE)
Proof of customs release for non-EU vehicles
Insurance valid in Spain

Homologación (vehicle conformity)

If the vehicle is modified, non-standard, or not recognised in EU type-approval systems, it may require individual homologación. This is common for:

Classic cars
Heavily modified vehicles
Non-EU models
Right-hand drive vehicles requiring adjustments

This process adds cost and time. Many expats prefer hiring a gestor or an engineering consultancy to handle the homologation file.

3. Taxes payable when importing a vehicle into Spain

IVTM: Local road tax

The municipal road tax must be paid to your town hall before registration. Rates vary by town and engine size.

For a full explanation of how IVTM works, including how rates are calculated, see our article on car road tax (IVTM) in Spain.

IEDMT: Registration tax

The Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte (IEDMT) applies to most imports unless exempt. The tax is based on CO₂ emissions:

0% — up to 120 g/km
4.75% — 121 to 159 g/km
9.75% — 160 to 199 g/km
14.75% — 200 g/km and above
12% — vehicles without certified emissions

Exemptions

You may be exempt from IEDMT if you are moving your habitual residence to Spain and:

You have owned the vehicle for at least 6 months before arrival
You register the vehicle within 60 days of establishing residence
The vehicle is for personal use

VAT when importing from the EU

VAT may apply in Spain if:

The vehicle is considered “new” — less than 6 months old OR under 6,000 km
It was purchased tax-free in another EU country

Paying the taxes

IEDMT is paid online via AEAT using Form 576. You will need:

Vehicle details
CO₂ emissions data
Purchase price or market value
NIE/TIE + digital certificate or Cl@ve

4. Registering your vehicle with the DGT

Once ITV is complete and taxes are paid, you can register the vehicle at the DGT. You must book an appointment for Matriculación de vehículos.

Documents required

ITV technical card (Spanish format)
Proof of IEDMT payment or exemption
Proof of IVTM road tax payment
Foreign registration certificate
Purchase invoice/contract
NIE/TIE + ID
Completed registration application

Registration outcome

Once approved, the DGT issues:

Permiso de Circulación (registration certificate)
Your new Spanish registration number

You must then purchase Spanish plates from an authorised supplier.

If you are also updating your driving documentation, our guide to Spanish driving licences explains how licences work, validity periods, and renewal rules.

Temporary green plates (Permiso Temporal)

If you cannot complete registration within the legal deadline, you may request temporary authorisation from the DGT.

Valid for 60 days, extendable
Used to legally circulate while waiting for ITV, taxes or documentation
Requires payment of the DGT fee + proof of pending registration

Should you import your foreign vehicle?

Importing a vehicle into Spain can be expensive. After ITV, taxes, potential homologación, registration, and plates, many expats find buying locally easier. However, importing can still make sense when:

The vehicle is electric (0% registration tax)
The vehicle is unique or high-value
You qualify for residency-related tax exemptions
The vehicle is already fully EU-compliant

FAQs: Importing a car into Spain (2025)

How long can I drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Spain?

Non-residents may drive up to 6 months. Residents must register within 30 days.

Do I always have have to pay registration tax (IEDMT)?

No. Exemptions exist for residency transfers, low-emission vehicles, and certain professional uses.

Is ITV always required?

Yes — unless the DGT accepts a valid EU roadworthiness certificate, which is not guaranteed.

Can I import a right-hand-drive car?

Yes, but visibility and safety concerns often trigger additional inspections or modifications.

How much does it cost to import a vehicle into Spain?

Depending on duty, VAT, IEDMT, ITV and homologación, costs can reach 20–40% of vehicle value in some cases.

What if my vehicle fails the ITV?

You normally have one month to fix defects. Serious (“muy grave”) faults may force the centre to immobilise the vehicle.

How long does registration take?

Once ITV and taxes are complete, DGT approval usually takes 1–4 weeks.

Can a gestor handle everything?

Yes — most expats use a gestor for ITV appointments, AEAT filing, DGT registration and plate issuance.

Protect yourself on the road

Driving in Spain — especially while handling ITV, taxes and DGT paperwork — is far easier when your health is protected. The Sanitas Top Quantum plan includes comprehensive traffic-accident cover, giving you peace of mind while driving, importing, or registering your vehicle.