Unless it is a classic car (more than 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.
Relocar Offices in Arganda del Rey, Madrid
In 2024, we began using the Mudinmar Mobility warehouse at Calle Palmera 3, Arganda del Rey, Madrid.
The Arganda del Rey warehouse is used as temporary parking while we obtain the documentation and final license plates for the vehicles.
How to register a foreign car in Madrid?
There are two procedures for registering an imported vehicle in Madrid 🚛🛵🚗 . If the owner is a resident of Spain, it is a commercial import; if they have moved to Madrid and the car was already their property, it is a change of residence. In the first case, registration taxes must be paid, while if it is a change of residence or relocation, you will be exempt from paying these taxes.
Types of registration for foreign cars in Madrid
What is the registration tax for vehicles in Spain due to a change of residence?
Those who transport their foreign car to Madrid 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 Madrid due to a change of residence, NO registration tax will be paid.
Documentation to register an imported car in Madrid with a change of residence
In the event of wanting to move to Spain and bring our car or vehicle, this is the documentation that must be provided to complete the registration of a foreign car due to a change of residence:
Owner’s Information
NIF/DNI/Passport of the owner
Consular De-registration (Baja Consular) of the owner
Registration certificate (Padrón) in Madrid
Vehicle
Technical Data Sheet and Registration Certificate
Purchase Invoice or Sales Contract
Transfer
Single Administrative Document
To justify the change of residence, they can also request the employment contract, the rental agreement for the property in Spain, etc.
What is the registration tax for vehicles in Spain WITHOUT a change of residence?
Those who wish to bring their car or motorized vehicle to Madrid without a change of residence will be obliged to pay the vehicle registration tax.
The car registration rate in Madrid will depend on the make and model of the vehicle, engine displacement and, most importantly, gas emissions.
Additionally, a fee must be paid to obtain the definitive license plates, which is €98.78.
Documentation to register a foreign car in Madrid without a change of residence
If you wish to import a foreign car to Madrid without a change of residence, we are referring to a commercial car import.
In that case, this is the documentation that must be provided to complete the registration of a car purchased abroad:
Owner’s
Owner’s Tax ID/National ID/Passport
Madrid Registration Certificate
Vehicle
Technical Data Sheet and Registration Certificate
Purchase Invoice or Sales Contract
Transfer
Single Administrative Document
To justify the change of residence, you can also request the employment contract, the rental agreement for the property in Spain, etc.
What is the customs tax for vehicles in Spain for commercial importation?
Before registering a foreign car in Madrid WITHOUT a change of residence, the corresponding import taxes must be paid at Customs, as it is considered a commercial importation.
Calculation of car import tax
The amount to be paid at Customs is 21% VAT plus 10% Duties on the value of the vehicle. 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 Market Value of the Vehicle by 21% and then by 10%.
For example, according to the Tax Agency tables, the value of a BMW M5 Competition xDrive, registered in November 2022, is €116,300.
Then, the vehicle depreciation must be calculated, which according to the same tables corresponds to 84% of the initial value.
The BMW M5 has a market value of €97,692.
This car would pay in import taxes, for the duty (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 DUA). Additionally, their administrative services must be paid, between €200 and €250.
Requesting green plates at the DGT in Madrid
In the case of non-EU vehicles (from outside Europe), in order to take the vehicle for its ITV in Madrid (Technical Vehicle Inspection), we must request temporary license plates or green plates.
In the case of 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 in Madrid?
Normally, we can have the plates in our possession within 1 to 2 weeks, which depends on the DGT, and they are valid for driving for 60 days.
What is the cost of requesting green plates from the DGT?
The administrative cost is €20.61 in 2023, requiring the payment of fee 1.4, but this is included in the service we provide for registering your foreign car in Spain and serves as payment for the road tax (impuesto de circulación).
Passing the Technical Vehicle Inspection in Madrid
Once we have the necessary documentation to proceed with the registration of the foreign car in Spain, the next step will be to pass the ITV.
Even if the foreign car has already passed the 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 Madrid with Relocar
To register an imported vehicle, contact Relocar Madrid.
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 for the registration service in Madrid to proceed with the service.
Calle Palmera 3, Arganda del Rey, Madrid
+34 683 533 166
cars@relomar.com
Relocar is the vehicle department of Relomar Relocation Services SL
