How to change a UK vehicle onto Spanish plates

Due to inflated prices for second hand cars in Spain compared to the UK, many people choose to bring their vehicles over with them and have them put onto Spanish plates. Below, we discuss the process of importing a vehicle to Spain:

Really, we have to think of the importation process as having two parts. Firstly, the vehicle has to pass the ITV (MOT). In order to do this, we have to take various factors into account. The vehicle (if it's a car) will need:

- To have a European conformity certificate or a 'ficha técnica reducida' (an engineers report).
- To have the headlights changed or adjusted to dip in the correct direction.
- To have the rear fog light fitted on the correct side
- To have the speedometer in KM/H (some older/classic cars don't have this)
- To remove any tow bar fittings or modifications that were not made by the manufacturar (there can be some exceptions to this rule).

Once any modifications have been made, it is then necessary to take all of the vehicle paperwork to the ITV office to book an appointment for an importation (as well as hand in the documents).

You return on the appointment date and hopefully the vehicle passes the ITV.

If it passes, you are then requested to return to collect your new Spanish log book and other vehicle paperwork (usually after a week or so).

This is when the second part of the process begins:

Registration with the DGT

For this process you have to register the vehicle with the central DGT office. This involves booking an appointment, taking all of the relevant paperwork and then paying all of the necessary taxes. These taxes include:

- Spanish importation tax (based on the value and characteristics of the vehicle).
- Road tax (based on where you live).
- A tax which the DGT charges for processing the importation.

If all of the paperwork is accepted, it is just a case of waiting for your new registration number to be issued.

Once you have all of the documents back, you will then have to order number plates for your new registration and insure the vehicle (we advise that you don't use the vehicle until the new plates arrive and it is insured on Spanish insurance).

At LingoMar, we can look after the whole process or only parts of the process for you. All we need is a photo of your UK log book and to know which is your nearest town hall (in order to pay the correct road tax).

Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or doubts! We look forward to hearing from you.