Green number plates, also known as placas verdes in Spain, do not refer to the vehicle's emission level or type of fuel, but rather to their period of validity.
In this article, we explain what green number plates are, where they are valid, how long they are valid for, how to apply for them and how much they cost.
What does the green registration plate mean and where is it from?
Green registration plates on cars indicate that they are temporary plates.
They are valid only in Spain and are useful in the following cases:
- If you have imported a vehicle and want to drive it before obtaining its permanent registration (which may take longer).
- If you have deregistered a vehicle to export it to another country but want to continue using it while its permanent registration is being processed in the other country.
Requirements for applying for green number plates in Spain
This temporary permit must be requested by the vehicle owner or another person authorised on their behalf through the register of powers of attorney, online, or with the corresponding application form, in person.
In the case of companies and legal entities, this permit must be requested exclusively online.
A temporary driving permit may be requested in the following cases:
- If you have purchased a vehicle abroad without registration, or with foreign registration (not Spanish).
- If you have purchased an unregistered vehicle at auction or through a court ruling.
- If the vehicle is without chassis.
- If you wish to register a vehicle in the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla and it was purchased in another province. In this case, the permit would be valid for 10 days.
- If you wish to register the vehicle abroad, de-registering it in Spain, the green number plates would be valid for 60 days.
Validity period of green number plates
You can drive with green number plates for 60 days in all cases, except if you wish to register in the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla, having purchased the vehicle in another Spanish province, in which case they will be valid for 10 days.
This period may be extended if there are reasons beyond your control that have prevented you from obtaining a permanent registration within the period of validity of the temporary number plates.
To request the extension, you must justify the reasons by submitting:
- Completed application form.
- Valid temporary permit.
- Proof (an ITV document explaining the reasons why the ITV certificate could not be issued is valid).
The application must be submitted within the period of validity of the plates.
What documents do you need?
You will need to fill in the temporary plate application form with the following information:
- Personal identification
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Vehicle details: chassis number, registration number and date of registration (if applicable)
- Type of temporary permit you need
- Details of the authorised representative (if the procedure is being carried out by another authorised person)
How much do they cost?
The cost of the procedure is 20.61 euros. It can be paid in person at the time of the procedure or online.
If you request an extension, this will be free of charge.
What should you do when it expires?
Temporary registration plates are useful for driving legally while the permanent registration is being processed, either in Spain or abroad.
If the temporary permit is about to expire and you do not yet have a permanent registration, you can request an extension free of charge while the temporary permit is still valid.
If you request it later, it will not be accepted and you will not be able to drive until you obtain the permanent registration.