Cars - Importation and Registration

Cars - Importation and Registration

UK nationals who are not residents may bring their car into Spain, but neither they nor anyone else can use it in Spain for more than six months in anyone year.

Anyone who spends more than a total of six months a year in Spain is considered resident, and must therefore import and register the vehicle. The procedures relating to importation are complex.

The motoring associations in Britain and the Real Automovil Club de Espana (CI Eloy Gonzalo 32, 28010 Madrid Tel: (+34) 91 59472 33/91 59472 43) can provide guidance, but the authoritative source of information is the Directorate-General of Customs in Madrid (Dirección General de Aduanas, CI Guzman el Bueno 137, 28003 Madrid. Tel: (+34) 91 5826805.

Motor Insurance Regulations Spanish insurance regulations differ from those in the UK. It is important to check carefully what cover your policy provides. ASEGURACE may provide guidance (Tel: 902 120441). Driving Licences Driving licences issued from 1990, and the photocard licence issued from 1997 are accepted in Spain. However, the minimum age required to drive is 18 years.

Licences issued before 1990 are only accepted if accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (available from the Spanish Embassy in London and the Real Automovil Club de Espana if the licence holder is already in Spain). Holders of these may prefer to use an International Licence issued anywhere outside Spain. The licence holder may retain their British licence (if issued after 1990) or exchange it for a Spanish one, subject to the same medical examinations as Spanish nationals.

It is advisable to exchange UK licences for Spanish ones, which are also valid for visits to the UK. The DVLA will not put a non-British address on a replacement licence, or send one out of the country. Therefore, if a British licence is only registered with Spanish authorities and is lost or stolen, a replacement cannot be obtained from the UK, and Spanish authorities will not be able to replace one they did not issue.

For more information, please contact the Jefatura Provincial de Trafico in your area: http://www.munimadrid.es/ Licence Renewals Licences are valid for ten years if the licence holder is under 45, 5 years from 45 to 70 years and two years thereafter.

To renew a licence the applicant needs a medical certificate issued by an officially recognised centre. Registering on Spanish plates The procedures relating to registration are complex. The motoring associations in Britain and the Real Autom6vil Club de Espana can provide guidance, but the authoritative source of information is the Directorate-General of Customs in Madrid (Direccion General de Aduanas, CI Guzman el Bueno 137, 28003 Madrid Tel: (+34) 91 55302 001 Fax: (+34) 91 5535242).

16/01/2009    - Information provided from the website of the British Consul Madrid.