Frequently Asked Questions

As a general guide, a non-resident can normally drive a foreign registered vehicle in Spain for up to 6 months before it is expected to be registered onto Spanish plates.

If you are a Spanish resident, the period is generally much shorter and is usually considered to be around 30 days.

In either case, while the vehicle remains on its foreign registration it must still be legal in its country of current registration and properly insured.

In simple terms, a vehicle is generally expected to be registered, taxed and insured in the country where it is normally kept and used.

If your vehicle is now effectively based in Spain, it will usually need to be registered onto Spanish number plates rather than remaining indefinitely on foreign plates.

Yes. If your vehicle is still on UK plates and you are driving it on Spanish roads, it should remain fully legal in the UK while it is still UK registered.

That normally means valid tax where applicable, a current MOT where required, and suitable insurance cover.

No. If a vehicle is declared SORN in the UK, it is treated as untaxed and should not be used on the road.

Using a SORN vehicle in Spain can lead to serious problems if the vehicle is stopped, including fines and possible impoundment.

No, you do not need to own a property in Spain in order to import and register a vehicle here.

You will, however, need to show proof of your Spanish address, such as a padrón, rental contract or title deeds, and you will also normally need an NIE.

Yes, UK vehicles can still be imported and registered in Spain, but the process is no longer as straightforward as it once was.

Depending on the vehicle and your circumstances, there may be additional customs formalities, taxes or import considerations compared with a vehicle arriving from another EU country.

If you would like a clear quotation and advice based on your own vehicle, we are very happy to help.

The cost varies from vehicle to vehicle, but in many cases it is much less than people expect.

The two biggest factors are usually the value of the vehicle and its CO2 emissions, as these can affect the registration tax payable.

Once we have a few basic details, we can normally provide a clear, fixed quotation.

We can usually send a quote within an hour or two during the day, although it can occasionally take a little longer at weekends or during busy periods.

Please add info@car-registrations-spain.com to your safe senders list so that our reply does not end up in your spam or junk folder.

If you have not received anything within 24 hours, please contact us.

In most cases we just need a few basic details:

Yes, our quotation is intended to include all the normal taxes, fees and charges involved in registering your vehicle onto Spanish plates.

Importantly, it also includes the annual road tax where applicable, which is sometimes omitted from competitor quotes to make the headline figure look lower.

The only additional costs would usually relate to physical work required on the vehicle itself, such as tyres, headlight changes, repairs or standard roadworthiness items.

Yes. If you are happy with the quotation we send you, we can normally begin the process straight away.

That usually means preparing the technical paperwork, checking your documentation and arranging the next stages of the registration process with you.

Once your vehicle has passed its ITV import test, registration is often completed in around 7 days.

Please do allow for local and national holidays, as these can affect timescales.

We will usually only need your vehicle for a maximum of around 2 to 3 hours for the engineer’s inspection and ITV appointment.

You are welcome to accompany us to the ITV station if you wish.

If your vehicle fails its import ITV, you will usually have up to 60 days to correct the issues and return for a retest.

Before testing, we carry out a full pre-import inspection to reduce the risk of problems and help your vehicle pass at the first attempt wherever possible.

Our team includes experienced mechanics and specialist auto electricians, so if any work is needed, we can usually help.

No. ITV stations in Spain carry out inspections only. They do not normally quote for repairs and they do not carry out repair work themselves.

If your vehicle needs work in order to pass, we can advise you and, where appropriate, arrange repairs at competitive pricing.

If you have a UK right-hand-drive vehicle, the standard headlights will not usually pass the import test in Spain.

Even many modern headlights still need adjustment, replacement or specialist realignment before the vehicle can be approved.

At Car Registrations Spain, we specialise in headlight realignment and can deal with even very modern and complex LED systems, often saving our clients the cost of expensive new units.

Yes. We can help arrange very competitive insurance pricing for vehicles once they are registered onto Spanish plates.

We can also assist with temporary insurance solutions while a vehicle is still on foreign plates where necessary, although these options are often more expensive.

Yes, in many cases we can help if your vehicle has been taken away by the Spanish police or other authorities.

We may be able to assist with temporary import plates where appropriate, help liaise with the authorities and support you through the next steps.

If this has happened to you, please contact us as soon as possible.

Once your vehicle has been successfully changed onto Spanish number plates, you will normally receive: