Vehicle registration · Malaga and the Costa del Sol
Importing a Car into Malaga or Spain
Registering a car in Malaga or Spain can be a headache.
Here is a guide to help you, or we can do it for you.
- EU-registered vehicles
- From €625 plus taxes
- No UK vehicle registrations
Before you begin
Need to Import a Vehicle into Malaga?
If you are considering importing a car into the Costa del Sol, there are various steps that must be taken before you can hit the road. Whether you want to bring your car to Malaga or any other part of Spain, these requirements apply to all vehicle imports. To simplify this process, we have created this helpful guide to assist you in understanding what is needed.
Check our FREE vehicle import tax calculator to get an estimate of importing a vehicle into Spain.
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English-language assistance
Car Import in Malaga
We can import your EU registered car into Malaga & surrounding areas.
The registration route
How to Register a Car in Malaga & Spain?
Importing a car into Malaga or Spain may seem like a simple task at first glance. However, Spanish vehicle matriculation involves a range of complex procedures and requirements that must be met before the car can be legally imported. Most people prefer to use an English speaking gestor or agency to complete this complicated procedure.
To begin with, the car must comply with EU regulations, which include obtaining a valid EU Certificate of Conformity and having a roadworthiness certificate. This is an important first step towards ensuring that the car is fit for use on Spanish roads.
Once the car is registered, the importer must obtain an import license from the Spanish Customs Agency. The importer will also need to pay taxes and duties on the car, which will vary depending on the type of car and the country of origin.
The importer must also ensure that the car meets the legal regulations by arranging for it to be inspected by the Spanish Traffic Department (DGT), who will assess its roadworthiness and legal conformity.
Finally, the importer must register the car with the Spanish traffic department and obtain the necessary insurance documents. After the DGT approves the application, the vehicle is assigned a Spanish registration number and the new number plates can be made.
Compulsory insurance must be in place before the vehicle is driven on Spanish roads. Following these steps will help ensure a smooth, stress-free process when importing a car into Spain.
Roadworthiness and technical compliance
ITV/MOT Inspection
ITV and roadworthiness
The first step is making sure the car is roadworthy. Every vehicle on Spanish roads requires an ITV or Inspección Técnica de Vehículos. Some blogs/sites say it isn’t necessary if you have a valid MOT, this is INCORRECT! Our guide on how to take an ITV test in Spain is here.
If the car has a valid MOT and is from 2018 or newer then the test is cheaper and much quicker, usually taking less than 20 minutes.
You can find ITV testing stations in your region here:
Find an ITV station in Andalucía
Homologation
The car needs to be homologated (where vehicles are made to comply with certain safety and other requirements before they can be registered.) If you import a car from a non-EU country, then it will need an individual Homologation and Type Approvals Certificate.
This can be a long and complicated process and has become more difficult since Brexit so if you haven’t already registered your car in Spain we highly recommend you get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
If the car is from 2015 onward, you can apply for a unique technical report, (costs around 1.500 euros). If the car has EU homologation it is possible to register if it comes from an EU country.
Contact us if you want to import your car into Malaga from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, or Sweden.
Documents and Spanish plates
Spanish Number Plates
Applicant and ownership documents
To complete the Spanish vehicle matriculation process, the following personal, address and ownership documents must be submitted to Trafico:
- An application form from Trafico
- Personal documentation for the importer, which includes proof of residence in Spain (residence card or personal identification from your country of origin ie passport)
- Proof of owning or renting a property (the rental contract must be for a minimum of one year)
- Be registered on the padron
- Registration document + fee
- Vehicle purchase receipt (original and photocopy)
Vehicle and tax documents
You will also need the vehicle, ownership and tax paperwork required for registration:
- Technical test certificate card (received after the ITV test)
- Confirmation of payment of registration tax (Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte)
- Receipt of payment of local car tax (impuesto municipal sobre vehículos de tracción mecánica/IVTM)
- Proof that VAT has been paid in the country of purchase.
- Certificate of Conformity (Certificado de Conformidad) from the vehicle manufacturer or a certified representative (original and photocopy).
Taxes and duties
Spanish Vehicle Import Taxes
The amount due depends on where the vehicle comes from, whether it is new or used, how it was acquired and whether an exemption applies.
Which taxes apply?
Vehicles imported from outside the EU
As a general rule, passenger cars are subject to 10% customs duty and 21% import VAT (IVA) in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. Relief may apply in specific cases, including a qualifying transfer of residence.
Vehicles brought from another EU country
- A vehicle is treated as new for VAT purposes when it is less than six months old or has travelled no more than 6,000 km. Spanish VAT is generally due before registration.
- For a used vehicle bought from a private seller, the DGT requires the sales contract, a translation and proof of ITP.
- For a used vehicle bought from a foreign dealer, the invoice should show the seller’s VAT number.
- If you already owned the vehicle before moving your residence to Spain from another EU country, purchase taxes are not normally due.
Taxes linked to Spanish registration
You may also need proof of payment, exemption or non-liability for the one-off registration tax (IEDMT: Modelo 576, 06 or 05) and proof of the annual municipal vehicle tax (IVTM). The IEDMT amount is mainly linked to the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.
Important: The taxable value and any exemption or reduction depend on the vehicle and your circumstances. Use the calculator for an estimate before the forms are filed.
Official guidance: Agencia Tributaria customs and IVA · DGT registration guidance · Modelo 576
Standard CO2 registration-tax bands
| Standard rate | CO2 emissions |
|---|---|
| 0% | 120 g/km or less |
| 4.75% | More than 120 and less than 160 g/km |
| 9.75% | 160 to less than 200 g/km |
| 14.75% | 200 g/km or more |
These are the standard mainland Spain and Balearic passenger-car bands. Some vehicle categories use a 12% rate, and autonomous communities can vary certain rates. Check the current AEAT rates.
Questions about registering a foreign vehicle
Vehicle Import and Registration FAQs
Clear answers about vehicle eligibility, Spanish ITV inspections, documents, costs and registering a foreign vehicle on Spanish plates.
Eligibility & Documents
Which foreign-registered vehicles can you register in Spain?
We can register most eligible vehicles from EU countries, Norway and Switzerland. We do not currently register UK-registered vehicles. Contact us with a copy of the vehicle’s registration document before starting so we can confirm that the vehicle is eligible.
Can I use your registration service if I live outside Málaga?
Yes. You can use our service if you live elsewhere in Spain, provided the vehicle is brought to Málaga for the Spanish ITV inspection and any other procedures that require the vehicle to be present.
What documents are needed to register an imported vehicle?
The exact requirements depend on the vehicle, where it is registered and how it was acquired. We will normally need:
- The foreign vehicle registration document
- Proof of ownership, such as a purchase invoice or sales contract
- The applicant’s NIE and identification
- Proof of a Spanish address
- The vehicle’s EU Certificate of Conformity, if available
- Any existing technical or roadworthiness documentation
Send us the vehicle registration document first and we will confirm exactly what is required.
What if my vehicle does not have an EU Certificate of Conformity?
If the vehicle does not have an EU Certificate of Conformity, we can arrange a technician’s report for most vehicles. This provides the technical information the ITV station needs to assess the vehicle and process its inspection. Eligibility depends on the vehicle, its documentation and any modifications.
Inspection, Cost & Timing
Does my vehicle need a Spanish ITV if it has a valid foreign inspection?
Yes. A Spanish ITV inspection is required before a foreign-registered vehicle can be registered in Spain, even if it has a valid inspection or roadworthiness certificate from another country.
How much does vehicle registration in Spain cost?
Our vehicle-registration service starts from €625, plus applicable taxes, official fees and any additional technical work required.
Our service includes arranging the ITV appointment, calculating and making the required tax payments on your behalf, completing the DGT registration and arranging the Spanish number plates. The taxes and official charges themselves are not included in the €625 starting price.
Use our vehicle import cost calculator for an initial estimate. We will confirm the final amount after reviewing the vehicle’s documents and circumstances.
How long does Spanish vehicle registration normally take?
Once the vehicle has passed its Spanish ITV inspection and we have all the required documents, we can normally complete the DGT registration in approximately one week. Occasional delays may occur at the DGT or the relevant tax authority, particularly during the summer months.
Complete import support
Importing a Car into Malaga
In conclusion, importing a car into Marbella, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas or anywhere on the Costa del Sol can be a complicated process. If you are looking for an English speaking gestor or agency to help, you’ve found us.
We manage the entire process, from booking the ITV to submitting tax forms and dealing with the DGT, and even printing Spanish plates. Saving you days of administrative running around. Also preventing you from making potential mistakes.
If you would like to import your car from Switzerland or an EU country like Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Norway or Sweden into Malaga then contact us for a quote. We have contacts in the Malaga ITV centre and Trafico and can speed the process up.
We take the stress out of importing and registering an EU vehicle in Málaga and across the Costa del Sol, including Marbella, Estepona, Mijas, Fuengirola, Benalmádena and Torremolinos.