If it’s not a classic car (more than 30 years old), American/Canadian vehicles registered before 2015 cannot be registered in Spain, except for moving. Cars imported from EU countries are exempt from paying VAT.

How to register a foreign car in Valencia?

There are two procedures for registering a foreign vehicle in Spain. If you (the owner) are a resident in Spain, it is a commercial import; if you have moved to Spain and the car was already your property, 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 a move, you will be exempt from paying these taxes.

Types of foreign car registration in Spain

Registering a foreign car due to a change of residence

The most important thing when registering a foreign car due to a change of residence is that you are exempt from paying registration taxes. This applies to bringing your car or motorcycle with you when moving to Spain..

Registering a foreign car for commercial import

If you’ve lived in Spain for more than 12 months, whether you’re a Spaniard or a resident of Spain, you’ll have to pay import and registration taxes.

If the vehicle is coming from outside the EU, even if it’s a wheeled vehicle, you must present the Import Clearance Certificate to Customs, which will issue a DUA stating the amount payable for the vehicle import tax.

What is the vehicle registration tax in Spain?

Those who transport their foreign vehicle to Spain and wish to register it due to a change of residence or a move will be exempt from paying certain taxes.

In other words, registration tax will NOT be payable for registering foreign vehicles in Spain due to a change of residence.

Documentation for registering a foreign car in Spain with a change of residence

If you want to move to Spain and bring your car and vehicle, this is the documentation you must provide to register your foreign car due to a change of residence:

for the Owner

NIF/DNI/Passport of the owner

Consular withdraw of the owner

for the Vehicle

Technical sheet and circulation permit

Purchase invoice or

Purchase and sale contract

for the Relocation

DUA Single Administrative Customs Document

To justify the change od residence Customs can request an employment contract, a house contract in Spain, etc.

What is the vehicle registration tax in Spain WITHOUT change of residence?

Those who want to bring their car or motor vehicle to Spain without a change of residence will be required to pay the vehicle registration tax.

The car registration rate in Spain will depend on the make and model of the vehicle, cylinder capacity and, most importantly, gas emissions.

In addition, to obtain final registration plates, you must pay a fee 98.78 €.

Documentation to register a foreign car in Spain without change of residence

If you want to import a foreign car to Spain without a change of residence, it will be a commercial car import.

In that case, this is the documentation that we must provide to register a car purchased abroad:

for the Owner

NIF/DNI/Passport of the owner

for the Vehicle

Technical sheet and circulation permit

Purchase invoice or Purchase and sale contract

for the Relocation

DUA Single Administrative Document

To justify the change of residence, Customs can request an employment contract, a house contract in Spain, etc.

Calculation of car import tax in Spain

What is the customs tax for commercial import of vehicles in Spain?

Before registering a foreign car in Spain WITHOUT change of residence, the corresponding import taxes must be paid at Customs, as it is considered a commercial import.

Car import to Spain tax calculator

The amount to pay at Customs is 21% VAT plus 10% Tariffs on the value of the vehicle. The Value of the Vehicle is calculated with the tables of BOE-A-2023-26631 Order HFP/1396/2023.

That is, the approximate amount of import taxes results from multiplying the Residual Value of the Vehicle by 21% and then by 10%.

For example, according to spanish Treasury tables, the value of a BMW M5 Competition xDrive, registered in November 2022, is €116,300.

Then you have to calculate the depreciation of the vehicle, which according to the same tables corresponds to 84% of the initial value.

The BMW M5 has a residual value of €97,692.

This car would pay import taxes, by tariff (10%): €97,692 x 10% = €9,769

then added the amount of VAT (21%): €97,692 + €9,769 = €107,461 * 21% = €22,566

This must be paid by transfer to the customs agent who is in charge of import clearance (obtaining the DUA). Who will also have to pay for their administrative services, between €200 and €250..

Request green plates at the DGT

In the case of non-intra-community vehicles (from outside Europe), in order to take the vehicle to pass the ITV (Technical Vehicle Inspection) we have to request temporary registration plates or green plates.

They are also necessary if it is a new vehicle purchased in Europe, because import license plates are only valid for 30 days. If in those 30 days we can bring the car to Spain and pass the ITV, the green plates are not necessary.

ATTENTION: we are fast and efficient and rarely take so long to pass the ITV. Yes, we are that good.

How long does it take to have green plates?

Normally between 1 and 2 weeks we can have the plates in our possession, which depends on the DGT, and it is valid for circulation for 30 days.

What does it cost to request green plates from the DGT?

The administrative cost is €20.61 in 2026, and you must pay the 1.4 tax document, but it is something that is included in the service we provide to register your foreign car in Spain.