Unless it is a classic car (over 30 years old), American/Canadian vehicles registered before 2015 cannot be registered, except in the case of a relocation. Cars imported from EU countries are exempt from paying VAT.
How to register a foreign car in Malaga?
There are two procedures for registering an imported vehicle in Valencia 🚛🛵🚗 . If the owner is a resident of Spain, it is a commercial import; if they have moved to Malaga and the car was already their property, it is a change of residence. In the first case, registration taxes must be paid, whereas if it is a change of residence or relocation, you will be exempt from paying these taxes.
Types of foreign car registration in Malaga
What is the vehicle registration tax in Spain due to change of residence?
Those who transport their foreign car to Spain and wish to register it due to a change of residence or relocation will be exempt from paying certain taxes.
In other words, for the registration of foreign vehicles in Spain due to a change of residence, registration tax will NOT be paid.
Documentation for registering an imported car in Malaga with a change of residence
In the case of wanting to move to Spain and bring our car and vehicle, this is the documentation we must provide to perform the registration of a foreign car due to a change of residence:
Owner’s Details
Owner’s NIF/DNI/Passport
Owner’s Consular Deregistration (Baja Consular)
Town Hall Registration (Padrón) in Malaga
Vehicle Details
Technical Data Sheet and Registration Certificate
Purchase Invoice or Sales Contract
Relocation Details
SAD Single Administrative Document (DUA)
To justify the change of residence, they may also request the employment contract, the housing rental agreement in Spain, etc.
What is the vehicle registration tax in Spain WITHOUT a change of residence?
Those who wish to bring their car or motorized vehicle to Spain without a change of residence will be obligated to pay the vehicle registration tax.
The car registration rate in Spain depends on the vehicle’s make and model, engine displacement, and, most importantly, gas emissions.
Additionally, a fee of €99.77 must be paid to obtain the permanent license plates.
Documentation for registering a foreign car in Malaga without a change of residence
If you wish to import a foreign car to Malaga without a change of residence, we are referring to a commercial car import.
In this case, this is the documentation that must be provided to complete the registration of a car purchased abroad:
Owner’s Details
Owner’s NIF/DNI/Passport
Town Hall Registration (Padrón) in Malaga
Vehicle Details
Technical Data Sheet and Registration Certificate
Purchase Invoice or Sales Contract
Relocation Details
SAD Single Administrative Document (DUA)
To justify the change of residence, they may also request the employment contract, the housing rental agreement in Spain, etc.
What is the customs tax for vehicles in Spain for commercial imports?
Before registering a foreign car in Spain WITHOUT a change of residence, the corresponding import taxes must be paid at Customs, as it is considered a commercial import.
Car Import Tax Calculation
The amount to be paid at Customs is 21% VAT plus a 10% Tariff on the vehicle’s value. The Vehicle Value is calculated using the BOE-A-2023-26631 Order HFP/1396/2023 tables.
In other words, the approximate amount of import fees results from multiplying the Vehicle’s Market Value by 21% and then by 10%.
For example, according to the Tax Agency (Hacienda) tables, the value of a BMW M5 Competition xDrive, registered in November 2022, is €116,300.
Next, you must calculate the vehicle’s depreciation, which according to the same tables corresponds to 84% of the initial value.
The BMW M5 has a market value (valor venal) of €97,692.
This car would pay in import taxes, for the tariff (10%):
€97,692 x 10% = €9,769
then adding the VAT amount (21%):
€97,692 + €9,769 = €107,461 * 21% = €22,566
This must be paid by transfer to the customs agent in charge of the import clearance (obtaining the SAD/DUA). In addition, their administrative services must
Applying for green plates at the DGT
In the case of non-EU vehicles (from outside Europe), in order to take the vehicle for the ITV (Technical Vehicle Inspection), we must apply for temporary license plates or green plates.
Regarding EU vehicles, although vehicles with European Union license plates can circulate in Spain for a maximum of approximately 180 days, many insurance companies do not cover their use in Spanish territory, and in some cases, the country of origin may require their return.
How long does it take to get green plates?
Normally, we can have the plates in our possession within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the DGT, and they are valid for driving for 60 days.
What is the cost of applying for green plates at the DGT?
The administrative cost is €21.30 in 2026, requiring the payment of fee 1.4, but this is something included in the service we provide to register your foreign car in Spain and serves as payment for the circulation tax.
Passing the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV)
Once we have the necessary documentation to proceed with the foreign car registration in Spain, the next step will be to pass the ITV.
Even if the foreign car has already passed a technical inspection in its country of origin, the technical vehicle inspection is mandatory and necessary in Spain if you wish to register the car.
*Cars imported from the USA may require some vehicle adaptations to pass the ITV.
Register an imported vehicle in Malaga with Relocar
To register an imported vehicle, contact Relocar Malaga.
In the form, in addition to your contact details, we request the place where the vehicle was last registered and the year of registration, and we will provide you with the price of the registration service in Valencia to carry out the service.
C/ Ernesto Che Guevara, Mislata – Valencia.
+34 683 533 166
cars@relomar.com
Relocar is the vehicle department of Relomar Relocation Services SL
