Registering Your Vehicle
Driving your car to Spain is easy. Getting it registered is a bit more tedious. As a tourist you are allowed to bring in your car for 6 months, however if stopped by the police, you may be asked to prove your vehicle's entry date. If you are a homeowner or employed, the police may use information to your disadvantage and immobilise your vehicle.
If you plan to stay continuously in Spain, it is best to register your vehicle as soon as you are required to do so as authorities are carrying out more and more checks and after all, car registration is required by law.
Car Importation
To register the car you will need to fulfill various procedures and present numerous documents. Be warned that it is a bit of an adventure!
The non-commercial vehicle needs to have been registered in your name for at least six months.
1. The vehicle's registration documents should be sent to the DVLA Swansea in the UK. You send them your logbook and in return you will receive a certificate of permanent export (V561.)
This should be done approximately one month prior to departure date. Forms are available from Fresh Directory call: 902 955 033.
DVLA contact details
Write to: Customer Services, Export Department, DVLA, Longview Road, Morriston, Swansea, SA99 1AG
Tel: +44 (0) 870 2400 010
driversdvla@gtnet.gov.uk
www.dvla.gov.uk
2. (optional) Vehicle registration, due to change of residence, requires an official letter from the British Consulate in Málaga. Take along the V5C form or certificate of permanent export V561 and your passport. Request a letter of change of residence, a "baja." This letter states that you no longer reside in the UK and can be picked up on the same day. (cost: 129€ credit card or cash.) The Consulate does NOT give advice on tax matters!
The Consulate contact details:
C/ Mauricio Moro Pareto 2, Edif. Eurocom, Second Floor, Málaga.
Tel: 952 352 300 (mon - fri - 08:30 - 13:30)
malaga@fco.gov.uk
www.ukinspain.com
Directions: The consulate is in Málaga centre in a red brick building opposite the central Málaga bus station on Paseo de los Tilos and the Larios Shopping Centre. By car: Enter Málaga on the exit "Centro / Avda. de Andalucía"; go down the Avda. de Andalucía to the traffic roundabout with a fountain in the middle of it - Barclay's Bank is on your left and Unicaja is on your right, turn right and go down the Paseo de los Tilos until you reach the Larios Shopping Centre. It is a good idea to park in the shopping centre car park.
Important: From the date stated in the letter you have exactly one month to present all the paperwork to Tráfico to avoid paying the import tax.
3. You need a copy of your local town hall registration with a date that coincides with the consulate letter. See town hall registration. You also need to have a NIE number. Since the issuing of the NIE can take up to six weeks, do this first. Now that you have all your British and personal documentation together, you must begin your Spanish red tape.
4. First off, your car needs to be inspected by an industrial engineer to determine if it meets Spanish standards and is "homologado." The engineer will issue you an official certificate stamped by the colegio de ingenieros (ficha técnica reducida.) At this junction the engineer will inform you if the lights must be replaced with another type set for left hand driving. (engineer cost: approximately 150€ including the certificate costs.)
5. The next stop on your odyssey will be at a Spanish ITV centre. The car will hopefully pass the safety standards and emissions inspections and you will be given the ITV certificate. (cost approximately 110€.)
6. Take the ficha técnica and all the paperwork to Recaudación to pay the Road Tax (impuesto sobre circulación de vehículos.) Never more than 120€
7. (optional) The Import Tax of either 7 or 12% of the book value (Impuesto de Matriculación) can be avoided by registering a change of residence with the English Consulate (see point #2.)
8. If the vehicle was purchased from an individual you must pay Tax Form 620 (impuesto de transmisiones patrimoniales) to la Junta de Andalucía.
9. Next stop is Tráfico where you have to pay a registration fee of 80€ (tasas de matriculación). Be there at 09:00 sharp because there is a long queue. Take along ALL your documentation original and a copy (including passport), the ITV certificate, and all of the documentation you have gathered. They give you a number; turn in the documents and wait in the Vehículos section, while they will verify them. You must return the next business day to pick up the Spanish equivalent of a log book (permiso de circulación / ficha técnica.) You take your logbook next door and pick up your two licence plates 24€.
For more information, contact the:
directorate general of customs in madrid
Tel: 915 530 200
dirección general de aduanas
Tel: 917 289 450
The good news is that annual Spanish road tax is much less expensive than in the UK.
Help With Registering Your Vehicle
If you do not feel like doing all the run around, Ruth Turner 647 063 977 and her team are pros at registering vehicles and finding quick solutions to Spanish red tape.
Or contact M.E. Express, Tel: 952 490 028