For most people who choose to move to Spain, the registration of their vehicle is often part of the process. In this process, as often during an expatriation, things are not so simple! Indeed, if you have the right to move to Spain in your favorite vehicle, you also have a number of obligations to respect when you register your car. In order to import your vehicle Spain, it is necessary not to make mistakes that can prove fatal. What are the 5 mistakes not to be made when registering your car in Spain? What are the pitfalls to avoid when importing a vehicle? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Spain, unveils the 5 mistakes you should not make when registering your foreign vehicle in Spain.

1. Asking for the Certificate of Conformity of your car too late

The registration of his car in Spain starts well before he goes abroad. Indeed, one of the first steps when you register your vehicle is to pass the technical control. However, in order to pass it you absolutely need the European Certificate of Conformity COC. Called Certificado Europeo de Conformidad in Spanish, this document is like the identity card of the vehicle imported into Spain. The mistake that many expatriates make is to apply once they move to Spain. Issued directly by the manufacturer or the dealer depending on your case, this original document is given to any buyer of vehicles in Europe, but the time to receive them are 5 to 6 weeks: as much time lost on the time to register your car.

If you move without having the certificate of conformity of your vehicle, you will lose valuable time and complicate your installation. The main risk? Exceed the legal deadline for your registration which must be done within 30 days after your arrival if you want to be exempt from import tax. Also, by asking for it before leaving to live in Spain you will save time and thus be able to launch registration procedures more quickly and serenely.

2. Not getting your documents translated

In order to register your car in Spain, you will need to request and obtain the certified translation of all documents that are in English to Spanish, and that represents a lot of words to translate! Indeed, the documents that must be translated in a certified way is long: your gray card, the invoice and the technical sheet.

It is mandatory to go through a certified Spanish translator so that documents are accepted to register your car. As it takes time, it is advisable to request the certified translation of your documents before leaving to live in Spain.

3. Forgetting paying taxes

There are two things we do not miss: death and taxes. This is also the case in Spain where there is a total of 3 taxes related to the circulation and import of car. The import tax is called Impuesto Especial sober Determinados Medios and must be paid to the Spanish Treasury (Hacienda). It is possible to be exempted under certain conditions. The second tax is Impuesto de Circulación Municipal. Its amount varies depending on the city hall and the power of the vehicle. It must be paid annually and applies to both foreign and Spanish vehicles. Finally, the Tasa Matriculacíon will be the last to settle to register your car in Spain and get the registration. This tax must be paid to the Dirección Provincial de Tráfico on which your residence depends.

4. Not paying attention to deadlines

Spain imposes deadlines for all foreign nationals who settle there and wish to register their car and be exempted from import tax. Like other European countries, there is a certain time limit to make the change of license plates in the rules and avoid fines. However, Spain is quite strict. Unlike Portugal, which allows a period of 12 months to register its vehicle and be in line, Spain offers a very short period of 30 days.

In this case it is essential to go to the Consulate of the Member State of the European Union where you previously resided and to request a certificate of residence by presenting them with supporting documents (proof of your last residence in the previous country). The Spanish police do not hesitate to verbalize the offenders who find themselves driving without having started the process to register their car on time.

5. Thinking that you can do it all alone

For all these long and complicated administrative procedures, which require a lot of time, legal knowledge and a certain practice of the Spanish administration, Lisbob is simply your best ally! We know it to have lived, an expatriation is not easy, and errors are (very) easy to commit, especially when registering a car in Spain. Thanks to the expertise of Lisbob and its team, you are certain to make complete files, to respect the legal deadlines and to be able to concentrate on the essential aspects of your expatriation. So contact us, Lisbob takes care of everything!