¿How to register a car from USA in Spain?
There are two procedures to register a vehicle from USA in Spain. If the owner is a resident in Spain it is a commercial import, if he has moved to Spain and the car was already owned by him it is a change of residence. In the first case you will have to pay registration taxes, while if it is a change of residence or moving, you will be exempt from paying these taxes.
USA car registration rates in Spain 2026
Most imported American cars to Spain in 2026
Toyota RAV4
Chevrolet corvette
Porsche Cayenne
Lexus RX350
Jeep Wrangler
Dodge Challenger
What is the registration tax for vehicles from USA in Spain due to a change of residence?
Those who transport their car from USA to Spain and want to register it due to a change of residence or moving, will be exempt from paying certain taxes.
In other words, for the registration of USA vehicles in Spain due to a change of residence, NO registration tax is payable.
Documentation to register a car from USA in Spain with change of residence
In case you want to move to Spain and bring your car and vehicle, this is the documentation you will have to provide to register your USA car due to a change of residence:
of the Owner
NIF/DNI/Passport of the owner
Owner’s Consular Discharge
Municipal Register in Spain
of the Vehicle
Technical data sheet and vehicle registration certificate
Invoice of purchase or Contract of purchase and sale
of the Transfer
DUA Single Administrative Document
In order to justify the change of residence, you may also request the employment contract, the rental contract for the property in Spain, etc.
¿What is the vehicleregistration tax for vehicles from USAin Spain WITHOUT change of residence?
Those who want to bring their car or motor vehicle to Spain without a change of residence, will be obliged to pay the vehicle registration tax.
The registration tax for USA cars in Spain will depend on the make and model of the vehicle, engine capacity and, most importantly, the emission of gases..
In addition, a fee of 98.78 € must be paid to obtain the definitive registrations.
Documentation for registering a USA car in Spain without change of residence
If you wish to import a USA car to Spain without change of residence,we will refer to a commercial car import. de coche.
In that case this is the documentation that we must provide, to make the registration of a car bought in USA:
of the Owner
NIF/DNI/Passport of the owner
Spanish Municipal Register
of the Vehicle
Technical data sheet and vehicle registration certificate
Invoice of purchase or Contract of purchase and sale
of the Transfer
DUA Single Administrative Document
In order to justify the change of residence, you may also request the employment contract, the rental contract for the property in Spain, etc.
What is the tax on vehicles from USA in Spain commercial import?
Before registering a car from USA in Spain WITHOUT a change of residence the corresponding import taxes must be paid as it is considered a commercial import.
Car Registration Tax Calculation
The amount to be paid is between 7 and 15% of the value of the vehicle. The value of the vehicle is calculated with the tablas del BOE-A-2023-26631 Orden HFP/1396/2023.
Apply for green plates at the DGT
Passing the Technical Inspection of the Vehicle
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.
Although the foreign car has already passed the Technical Inspection in its country of origin, the technical inspection of the vehicle will be obligatory and necessary in Spain if you wish to register the car.
