Importing and registering a non-European vehicle in Spain

Importing and registering a vehicle in Europe can be a complicated journey, especially if the vehicle comes from outside the European Union. 

If your vehicle was manufactured or registered in a non-European country, we will tell you how to import and register it in Spain step by step. 

Importation and customs procedures 

In the case of vehicles manufactured or registered in a country outside the European Union, it is essential to go through customs control, either at the port or on the road. 

These controls include document verification, physical inspection of goods and payment of the corresponding fees. 

Once this procedure has been completed, you will receive the DUA (Single Administrative Document), which is necessary for the subsequent registration of the vehicle. 

Documents to be presented at customs 

Not all of the following documents may be required at customs, but they will be required for subsequent registration. 

This will depend on the situation you declare during the procedure. 

In general, the documents you may need are: 

1. Personal details of the vehicle owner: identity documentation of the owner or contact details or authorisation for clearance, if customs procedures have been carried out through the services of a customs representative. 
2. International driving licence and national driving licence. 
3. Proof of ownership of the vehicle, which may be: original sales invoice, bill of sale or vehicle registration certificate. 
4. Proof of insurance for the vehicle. 
5. Certificate of Conformity (COC) or Spanish ITV Technical Specification Sheet, which can be submitted at customs or later for registration.  
6. For changes of habitual residence, you will need a certificate of residence in Spain and a document proving your previous residence outside the customs territory of the European Union for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the move. 

Registering a non-European vehicle step by step 

Depending on whether the vehicle has a European type-approval number or not, there are two options for registering it: 

• If it has a European type-approval number: you can register your vehicle with the Certificate of Conformity or a duplicate of this, if you do not have it. You can find this code on: the manufacturer's plate, on the dashboard, on the door pillars, on the engine, on the original vehicle sales document, on the technical data sheet or on the COC. 
• If it does not have a European type-approval code: you will need to obtain a personalised type-approval (by equivalence or individual) for the vehicle. The type-approval project must be validated by the ITV (Vehicle Technical Inspection), where you will receive the Spanish ITV Technical Data Sheet. 

Therefore, the steps to follow to register a vehicle from outside the EU are: 

1. Pass through customs and obtain the DUA. 
2. Obtain the European Certificate of Conformity or ITV Technical Specification Sheet (through an approval process). 
3. Apply for registration online or in person at any traffic office. 
4. Pay the registration taxes. 
5. Go to a specialised shop to purchase the number plates and attach them to the vehicle. 
6. After registering the vehicle, don't forget to take out the compulsory insurance policy. 

You can apply for registration in two ways: 

• Online: using the application form, for which you will need to log in with your electronic ID card, mobile phone password or permanent password. 
• In person: at any Traffic Headquarters or Office, by downloading and filling in the application form. 

When is registration necessary? 

You may have purchased a car with a non-European registration plate at an auction, from a dealer or from a private individual, or you may wish to change your residence to Spain. 

In any case, if you wish to drive legally, you must register your vehicle in the following cases: 

• If you are a resident of Spain or have a place of business in the country, you must register the vehicle within 30 days. 
• If you are moving to Spain and applying for registration, you will have 30 days to do so from the date of application. If the vehicle you wish to register is being used as a means of transport as part of the process of changing your residence (e.g. to transport your belongings), this process can be extended to 60 days, if notified. 
• As a general rule, you can drive your car (or any other vehicle) with foreign registration in Spain, provided that you do not exceed 183 days (6 months) in the country without interruption. 

All these procedures can be carried out through the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic's website. 

While the permanent registration is being processed, it is also possible to drive temporarily with ‘green plates’ for up to 60 days. 

The process can take between 1 and 2 weeks and costs (fee 1.4) €20.61. 

How much does registration cost in Spain? 

In the case of mopeds, the fee (fee 1.2) is €27.85. 

For all other vehicles, the fee (rate 1.1) is €99.77. 

Frequently asked questions 

We answer the most frequently asked questions about importing and registering non-European vehicles. 

How much does it cost to register a car?  

The cost of registering a vehicle will depend on the type of vehicle, model, type of registration required and any modifications needed to obtain the European registration number. 

Taking into account the cost of fees, technical reports, necessary documentation and registration, it could be around €2,000 minimum.  

Can I obtain the Certificate of Conformity if my car was manufactured outside Europe? 

You can obtain the COC if it was manufactured in accordance with European safety and emissions regulations, even if it was manufactured outside Europe. 

If this is the case, you can find the European type-approval number on the manufacturer's plate, on the dashboard, on the door pillars, on the engine, on the original vehicle sales document or on the technical data sheet, and you will not need to have it approved. 

If this is not the case, you will have to carry out a customised approval to obtain the Spanish ITV Technical Data Sheet. 

If my vehicle comes from the United Kingdom, do I need to have it approved? 

The United Kingdom continues to accept and issue the European Certificate of Conformity. 

If you have purchased or registered a vehicle in the United Kingdom and it has a European type approval code, you will not need to have it approved.  

If I come from Morocco and am not going to be in Spain for more than 6 months in a row, do I need to homologate or register my vehicle? 

No, it is not necessary. If you plan to stay in Spain for less than 6 months, you can drive with foreign number plates without having to homologate or register the vehicle.  

If you plan to stay longer than this period, it would be mandatory to register and homologate your vehicle.