Driving your car to Spain


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Lighthouse Spain - Guiding you to your Spanish Home

Bringing a car to Spain
You may bring you car over to Spain from the UK, as long as you have owned it for at least six months prior to moving. You cannot sell, rent out or transfer a car that has been imported tax-free and duty-free for 12 months once in Spain.

You must hand in the British registration documents to the DVLA and obtain a certificate of Permanent Export. The DVLA can advise you on this relatively simple process.

You will need a standardisation certificate (ficha reducida), which can be obtained from any licensed Spanish engineer.

The following taxes must be paid:

VAT (IVA) at 16% on a tax-free car (on which VAT hasn't yet been paid) imported from the UK.

Registration tax (impuesto sobre circulación de vehículos) at 12% of the vehicle's current value (based on the original market price in Spain). However, you do not need to pay this tax if you are to be a permanent resident in Spain and have imported a vehicle on which you have already paid the VAT.

Non-residents can bring their car from the UK to Spain without paying Spanish taxes, but you can only drive the car in Spain for six months in any year - which is the duration non-residents can remain in the country. The car must be taxed in its country of registration.

The paperwork for importing a car is far easier than it used to be, but many people still hire a gestor to sort it out for them.

It is also possible to ship your car from the UK and we recommend using the services of a professional Car Shipping Spain company to ensure safe and secure car transport.

Registration
Whether you import a car into the country, or buy a car in Spain, you need to register it at the local provincial traffic department (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico de Málaga, c/Mauricio Moro Pareto 13, tel. 95 235 7200. Open Mon-Fri 9am-2pm).

If you are a permanent resident in Spain, you must obtain Spanish registration plates once you have imported the car. To do that, you will need:

Your residence card and photocopy

Current foreign driving licence and photocopy

Registration number of a Spanish-registered vehicle

One passport photograph

16.20 euros, payable at the traffic department

Driving licences
You are permitted to drive with a British or EU licence in Spain for up to six months a year, as a non-resident. But you will need to take it to the local provincial traffic department to be stamped and registered.

If you intend to spend more than six months a year in Spain - and hence are a resident - you will need to obtain a Spanish licence, with form TASA2.3 from the local provincial traffic department.

You must, under Spanish law, carry your driving licence with you at all times.

If you do not yet have your full driving license you may find it easier to take your driving test in the UK as you are able to drive in Spain with a UK license. Book your Surrey driving lessons and test yourself with an online driving theory test to make sure you can pack your license in your suitcase.

Road tax
All Spanish-registered vehicles must pay road tax. The amount is set by local municipalities and based on the power of your car. It can vary from 20-220 euros per year. Malaga is one of the cheapest provinces to tax your car.

You must pay your road tax between March and May. Contact your local town hall to ask when and to collect a payment form. You can pay in person at the town hall (though this usually involves long queues), or better, by post or direct debit.

Moving to Spain
If you are planning on moving to Spain you will of course need the services of a professional and reliable removals firm who can assist and advise you about moving to Spain and about removals to Spain

Car Journeys in Spain
When most people think of Spain they think of the beaches and the hot weather and sunbathing, dips in the pool etc. but Spain is much more than just sea and sand. There are so many lovely drives to be done around the Spanish countryside and the good Spanish road infrastructure allows for easy day trips out in the car from wherever you may be located. Explore the Costa Dorada whilst based in Barcelona or visit the traditional Spanish towns dotted around the capital city of Madrid or visit Spain's answer to the Cumbrian countryside and imagine you are in Lake District Cottages in the hills north of Malaga. Spain has something to suit everyone.

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Insurance & Healthcare

INSURANCE

The minimum insurance required according to Spanish Law is the Unlimited third party liability. Which covers any damage caused to a third party on an unlimited amount but the amount is restricted when damages are caused to the driver and passengers, this has to be checked on the policy as amounts can differ according to the insurance company. Fully comprehensive is available for any car whether or not it be UK registered or Spanish registered up to 10 yrs old. Breakdown assistance is also usually included automatically which is the equivalent of the AA.

Insurance premiums in Spain are among the lowest in the EU - determined by factors such as your age, record, place of residence, type of car and type of insurance.

Your no-claims bonus from the UK should be valid in Spain, but you will need to provide written evidence from your UK insurance company and possibly an official Spanish translation. If you haven't had car insurance for the previous two years, you probably won't be entitled to a no-claims bonus in Spain.