Moving to Spain with Your UK Car: Importing and Re-Registering It

What are the steps?

1. Ship the car and clear it through Spanish customs. You get the import document (certificado H1 or the customs record) that the DGT asks for.
2. Claim transfer-of-residence relief at customs if you qualify, or pay the duty and 21% VAT. Duty is 10% for most cars, or 0% with valid proof of UK or EU preferential origin.
3. Take the car to an ITV station for inspection and its Spanish technical card (ficha técnica). Right-hand-drive cars need their headlights set for driving on the right.
4. Pay the registration tax on form 576, or claim the exemption, with the Spanish tax agency.
5. Pay the local road tax (IVTM) to the town hall where you live.
6. Apply to the DGT for registration, online or at a Tráfico office by appointment, with the fee of €99.77. You then get the permiso de circulación and can have Spanish plates made.

Can I avoid duty and VAT?

Yes, if you qualify for transfer-of-residence relief. The rules are EU-wide: you lived outside the EU for at least 12 months in a row, you owned and used the car for at least 6 months before moving, and you import it within 12 months of moving. The Spanish tax agency also asks that the car was bought with tax paid in the country of origin. You must not sell, lend or hire it out for 12 months after import.

Moving to the EU with your car →

What does the registration tax cost?

The special tax on certain means of transport is set by the car's CO2 emissions, from 0% for low-emission cars up to 14.75% of its official value, with different rates in the Canary Islands. Some new residents can claim exemption. We recommend a Spanish gestor for this step: they handle the 576 form and DGT paperwork for a fee.

Driving in Spain on a UK licence

You can drive on a UK licence for up to 6 months after becoming resident. Apply to exchange it with the DGT before the 6 months are up, using a check code from DVLA. Licences from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man cannot be exchanged.

Exchanging your UK driving licence abroad →

Shipping and alternatives

Many people drive to Spain by ferry; others ship by container with their household goods, or by RORO from the UK. If your car would need a lot of work to pass the ITV, compare the cost of selling it in the UK and buying in Spain before you move.

Get a shipping quote