Cars in Spain

Importation and Registration

UK nationals who are not residents may bring their car into Spain, but neither they nor anyone else can use it in Spain for more than six months in any one year. Anyone who spends more than a total of six months a year in Spain is considered resident, and so not entitled to this.

Importation

The procedures relating to importation are complex. The motoring associations in Britain, and the Real Automóvil Club de España can provide guidance, but the authoritative source of information is the Directorate-General of Customs in Madrid. (Dirección General de Aduanas en Madrid, C/ Guzmán el Bueno 137, 28003 Madrid. Tel. (00 34) 91 553 02 00, Fax. (00 34) 91 553 52 42.)

Vehicle Registration

Non-residents can only register vehicles in Spain on temporary tourist plates, valid for a six-month period in any one year, and renewable annually. If non-residents become resident they must obtain full national plates and pay the Impuesto Especial of 12%, which is based on the car's ready-reckoned value. (Non-residents from outside the EU are exempt from the Impuesto Especial).

Residents importing a vehicle must register it with the local authorities and obtain Spanish national plates. They should surrender the British vehicle's Registration Document to the DVLA in the UK and obtain a certificate of permanent export (V561) from them to present in Spain.

Road worthiness certificates for right-hand drive cars are available from Spanish ITV (MOT) centres. Some adjustments to the vehicle may be needed to comply with EU regulations.

Purchase of new cars in Spain is subject to 16% IVA (VAT), payable the first time a car is bought and registered. When the car is sold on in Spain, the Impuesto de Transmisiones (Transference Tax) of 4% must be paid. Traffic Regulations require that the following items be kept in the vehicle:

Set of bulbs and tools necessary to replace them
Two warning triangles - officially approved by the Ministerio del Interior, bearing a round symbol E9 and the code 27R03
Spare tyre and the tools necessary to replace it
A reflective jacket
A spare pair of glasses (for those who wear spectacles to drive)

A fine is payable if these are not carried.

Real Automóvil Club de España c/ Eloy Gonzalo 32, 28010 Madrid.
Tel.: 91 594 72 33/ 91 594 72 43

Motor Insurance Regulations

Spanish insurance regulations differ from those in the UK. For example, when a vehicle is declared a write-off in Spain, the insurance company pays only a percentage of the vehicle's current value, even when the policy is 'fully comprehensive'. EU legislation requires that motorists in member states have full third party insurance. However, there is nothing which regulates what is applicable to third party or comprehensive insurance. This is a matter for member states, whose regulations differ. It is important to check carefully what cover your policy provides. ASEGURACE may provide guidance,
Tel: 902 120 441.

Driving Licences

Driving licences issued from 1990, and the photocard licence issued from 1997 are accepted in Spain. However, the minimum age required to drive is 18 years.

Licences issued before 1990 are only accepted if accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (available from the Spanish Embassy in London and the Real Automóvil Club de España if the licence holder is already in Spain). Holders of these may prefer to use an International Licence issued anywhere outside Spain.

If the licence holder is resident in Spain, he/ she must register it with their nearest 'Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico' (in Madrid at C/Arturo Soria 143, Tel: 913 018 500) within six months of becoming resident. For those who are exempt from holding a residence card, the six-month grace period starts on the day work or study begins. The licence holder may retain their British licence (if issued after 1990) or exchange it for a Spanish one, subject to the same medical examinations as Spanish nationals.

It is advisable to exchange UK licences for Spanish ones, which are also valid for visits to the UK. The DVLA will not put a non-British address on a replacement licence, or send one out of the country. Therefore, if a British licence is only registered with Spanish authorities and is lost or stolen, a replacement cannot be obtained from the UK, and Spanish authorities will not be able to replace one they did not issue.

More information: www.dgt.es/iadministracion/3.6.html and the Real Automóvil Club de España.

Licence Renewal

Licences are valid for ten years if the licence holder is under 45, 5 years from 45 to 70 years and two years thereafter. To renew a licence the applicant needs a medical certificate issued by an officially recognised centre.

Real Automóvil Club de España c/ Eloy Gonzalo 32, 28010 Madrid. Tel.: 91 594 72 33/ 91 594 72 43