Register Your EU Car in Marbella

Easy Guide to Registering an EU Vehicle in Marbella

Moving to the sun-drenched Costa del Sol is an exciting adventure, but dealing with Spanish bureaucracy, especially registering your beloved EU vehicle, can quickly turn the dream into a headache. You’ve settled in Marbella or Málaga, but what now?

If you’re a foreign resident in Spain, legally, your EU-plated car needs Spanish number plates. Trying to tackle the process of ITV, DGT, and Agencia Tributaria paperwork alone can be daunting, confusing, and time-consuming.

That’s where we come in! At Simple English Advice, we are your local, friendly Vehicle Import Agency in Marbella, Málaga. We simplify the entire process, getting your EU vehicle legally matriculated quickly and painlessly, so you can focus on enjoying the Spanish lifestyle.

Here is the essential, easy-to-understand breakdown of what is required to register your EU car, and how we can handle every step for you.

The 3 Key Steps to Matriculate Your EU Car in Marbella

As a foreign resident in Spain (living here for more than 183 days a year), you are legally required to register your vehicle and obtain Spanish plates within 30 days of becoming a resident. Or, 60 days if you’re moving to Spain and bringing a vehicle with you.

The entire process involves three main administrative stages: Technical Inspection, Tax Payment, and Final Registration.

1. Pass the Spanish ITV (Technical Inspection)

Before anything else, your car must be roadworthy under Spanish standards.

What it is: The Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV) is Spain’s compulsory technical inspection (like an MOT).
The requirement: Even if your vehicle has a valid MOT from its country of origin, it must undergo a full Spanish ITV specifically for matriculation.
What you need: You must present the vehicle’s original registration certificate and the Certificate of Conformity (CoC). The CoC proves your vehicle meets EU standards. (If you haven’t got one, we can prepare a technician’s report for ITV).

At Simple English Advice, we book your ITV appointment, prepare all the documentation, and can even attend the inspection with you (depending on availability), ensuring the process goes smoothly and that the Spanish-format technical card (Ficha Técnica) is issued correctly.

2. Handle Tax Declarations and Payments (AEAT & Town Hall)

This is often the most confusing part, as it involves two different government bodies and two separate taxes:

The Emissions Tax (IEDMT): This crucial tax is calculated based on your car’s CO2 emissions (g/km), ranging from 0% (low emissions) up to 14.75% (high emissions).
Residency Exemption: If you are moving your official residence to Spain, you may be exempt from the IEDMT, but the requirements are strict, including proving ownership for at least one year prior to moving and applying for the exemption within 6 months of becoming a resident.

At Simple English Advice, we calculate the correct tax due, manage the necessary forms (like Form 576 for IEDMT), and ensure you claim any available exemptions you are entitled to, saving you time and potentially a lot of money.

3. Final Registration with the DGT (Traffic Department)

Once the vehicle is roadworthy and all taxes are paid, the final step is registering the car with the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT).

The DGT requires a complete file containing:

Your NIE/Residence Certificate
Proof of Address (Certificado de Empadronamiento from your Town Hall)
The original foreign registration documents
The Spanish ITV Technical Card
Receipts for both the Road Tax and Registration Tax
The DGT application form and fee.

If successful, the DGT issues your new Spanish registration certificate and assigns your new number plate. You then take this assignment to a certified license plate maker. (We provide Spanish number plates as part of our service.)

At Simple English Advice, we manage the DGT application, submit all required paperwork, pay the fees, and handle all communications with the Traffic Office. We can even obtain temporary “green plates” (placas verdes) for you, allowing you to legally drive your car while the definitive Spanish plates are being processed.

Why Trust Us for Your Car Import in Marbella?

Dealing with Spanish government portals and long waiting times is a recipe for frustration. As a dedicated local agency based right here in the heart of the Costa del Sol, we offer:

Local Malaga & Marbella Expertise: We know the specific requirements of the Málaga DGT office and the Marbella Town Hall, speeding up processes that often delay individuals.
Stress-Free Service: We manage the entire chain, from booking the ITV to submitting tax forms and dealing with the DGT, saving you days of administrative running around.
Accuracy and Compliance: We ensure every document is translated correctly, appropriately filed, and compliant with the latest regulations from official sources such as the DGT and Agencia Tributaria, preventing costly fines.

Ready to get your Spanish plates and drive legally in Marbella?

Contact Simple English Advice today for a friendly, no-obligation quote and let us take the wheel on your vehicle import process! Our service also covers areas such as Estepona, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Mijas and Torremolinos.

HASSLE-FREE VEHICLE IMPORT - FROM €625

Dealing with Spanish government portals and long waiting times can be frustrating, especially when the clock is ticking.

We manage the entire chain, from booking the ITV to submitting tax forms and dealing with the DGT, saving you days of administrative running around. Also saving you from potential mistakes.