Registering a car brought to Spain

Check the vehicle’s origin and documents

First establish whether the vehicle comes from the European Union or a third country. A car from Germany or another member state generally does not require customs clearance. Vehicles from a country outside the European Union, however, must first complete the import procedure with the Spanish customs authorities.

Since 1 January 2021, the Spanish traffic authority has generally treated vehicles from Great Britain as vehicles from a third country; Northern Ireland is exempt. If Union status can be proved for a vehicle from Great Britain by means of a certificate from the Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria, the requirements for vehicles from the European Union apply.

The documents required include the original foreign registration documents, proof of ownership and the technical documents. For the procedure at the Spanish inspection centre, the authorities specify the Certificate of Conformity, the manufacturer’s European certificate of conformity. If the previous and future holders are not the same, the invoice or purchase contract must also be provided.

1. Compare the vehicle identification number and holder details across all documents.
2. Have both parts of the foreign registration certificate ready, if it consists of two parts.
3. Obtain the Certificate of Conformity or check in advance with the inspection centre which alternative approval documents are required.
4. Prepare the invoice or purchase contract and, if necessary, a translation.

Import vehicles from outside the EU through customs first

A customs declaration is required before registering a vehicle from a non-EU country in Spain. The Agencia Tributaria calls this the DUA, a Spanish customs declaration. Once import clearance is complete, the Certificado de Importación H1 is generally required for subsequent registration, unless the import endorsement is already on the Spanish ITV card.

If you are genuinely moving your residence from a non-EU country, you may be eligible for customs duty and import VAT relief. The requirements generally include having had your usual residence outside the customs territory of the European Union for at least twelve consecutive months and having used or owned the vehicle at your former residence for at least six months. The vehicle must have been acquired or imported under the normal tax arrangements.

Personal belongings must generally be declared for release for free circulation within twelve months of establishing your new residence. During the first twelve months after acceptance of the customs declaration, a vehicle imported with relief must not be lent, hired out, pledged or transferred, for payment or free of charge, without first notifying the customs authorities.

1. Submit the customs declaration with proof of ownership, residence and vehicle details.
2. Apply for any possible moving-residence relief directly as part of the import procedure and provide supporting evidence.
3. Keep the customs decision and Certificado de Importación H1.
4. Then proceed with the technical inspection and Spanish registration.

Obtain the Spanish vehicle technical card

Before registration with the Dirección General de Tráfico, the Spanish traffic authority, the vehicle needs a Spanish Tarjeta ITV. ITV stands for Inspección Técnica de Vehículos, or vehicle technical inspection. The inspection centre checks the vehicle and its documents and, if the result is satisfactory, issues the Spanish vehicle technical card.

For a vehicle from the European Union, the foreign registration certificate, the Certificate of Conformity and, if the holder is different, the invoice or purchase contract are generally required. A valid roadworthiness certificate from another Member State is recognised for periodic vehicle inspections, provided it is still valid under the inspection intervals in force in Spain. However, it does not replace the issue of a Spanish Tarjeta ITV for registration.

If there is no suitable European approval, the vehicle has been modified after manufacture or it is a model without European type approval, additional technical evidence or an approval procedure may be required. Inspection centre procedures and fees are regulated regionally, so there is no single ITV fee that applies throughout Spain.

1. Book an appointment at an authorised ITV inspection centre.
2. Present the vehicle and original documents.
3. Declare any conversions and technical modifications.
4. Check the Tarjeta ITV and inspection report for errors in the chassis number and technical details.

Check registration tax and VAT

The Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte must be dealt with before final registration. This special tax on certain means of transport is commonly known as registration tax. If tax is payable, Modelo 576 is generally used. Depending on whether prior recognition by the tax authorities is required, Modelo 05 or Modelo 06 may be used for exemptions or cases where the tax does not apply.

The exemption from registration tax for a change of residence requires, among other things, that the holder lived outside Spain for at least twelve consecutive months before moving and personally used the vehicle at their former residence for at least six months. The vehicle must also have been acquired or imported under the normal tax arrangements. A vehicle exempted under this rule must not be transferred within twelve months of its Spanish registration. The exemption must be recognised before final registration.

For VAT purposes, a vehicle is considered new if it has been driven no more than 6000 kilometres or is supplied within six months of being first put into service. When such a vehicle is acquired in another Member State, VAT is generally payable in the country of registration. A vehicle is considered used only if it has been driven for more than 6000 kilometres and the supply takes place more than six months after it was first put into service.

1. Check the vehicle’s tax status and whether it qualifies for an exemption.
2. Submit Modelo 576, Modelo 05 or Modelo 06 by the deadline.
3. For a vehicle considered new for VAT purposes, obtain proof of VAT payment.
4. Keep proof of payment, exemption or non-taxability for registration.

Deal with the municipal vehicle tax

The Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica must also be dealt with. This municipal tax is often called the impuesto de circulación. The responsible authority is the Ayuntamiento, or local council, at the vehicle’s tax residence.

The traffic authority requires proof of payment or exemption for registration. The amount, payment method, any reductions and local procedure depend on the municipality concerned. There is therefore no standard amount that applies everywhere.

1. Ask the local council where you live about the procedure for the municipal vehicle tax.
2. Use the details on the Spanish Tarjeta ITV.
3. Request proof of payment or exemption.
4. Check that the tax residence matches the registration documents.

Complete registration, number plates and insurance

After the ITV and taxes comes matriculación ordinaria, ordinary registration with the Dirección General de Tráfico. Applications for imported vehicles can be made electronically or by appointment at a Jefatura or Oficina de Tráfico. Documents required include the official application, proof of identity and address, the Spanish Tarjeta ITV, the original foreign documents, proof of ownership and tax documents, and, for vehicles from non-EU countries, the Certificado de Importación H1.

For ordinary registration of a motor vehicle other than a moped, the official website lists Tasa 1.1 as 99.77 euros on 29 August 2026. This administrative fee does not include ITV, taxes, number plates, translations, technical reports or insurance.

Once the application has been processed successfully, the traffic authority assigns a Spanish registration number and issues the permiso de circulación, the Spanish vehicle registration certificate. Number plates can then be made by an authorised supplier. Proof of insurance must be available for registration; before using the vehicle on public roads, it must have valid registration, number plates and insurance cover. If the one-month period is not sufficient, temporary green plates can generally be requested for two months and extended.

1. Submit the complete registration application with original documents, ITV card and tax receipts.
2. Pay Tasa 1.1 using a payment method authorised by the traffic authority.
3. Have the number plates made once the registration number has been assigned.
4. Ensure there is insurance cover and have proof of insurance before driving with Spanish number plates.