Moving to and Living in Spain
Driving in Spain
Once you have purchased your property in Spain, you may want to look into the requirements necessary to drive in Spain.
Do I need to change my licence?
EEC citizens are able to use their own national driving licence; all other foreigners must pass a new driving test in Spain . An international driving licence is valid for one year in Spanish territory. Your UK driving licence is valid in Spain for six months and then you must 'officially' choose one of the following routes:
Leave Spain
Apply for your UK or other EU driving licence to be approved and stamped
Apply for a Spanish driving licence
How do I get my UK licence stamped?
You will need to take the documents listed below to the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (sometimes based at the police station):
Your valid UK or EU driving licence.
A copy of your NIE form.
A photocopy of both sides of the driving licence ID photograph card.
Your passport and one photocopy.
Should I import my car from the UK ?
Importing your car can be complicated and it is recommended that you seek advice from a company, which specializes with these particular formalities. Any imported car has to be registered at "Jefatura Provincial de Trafico ".
Are there English insurance companies in Spain ?
Car insurance in Spain is compulsory and an insurance company can be found easily in the yellow pages under 'seguros'. There are several English companies who deal with ex-pats insurance needs. For breakdown insurance the equivalent of RAC or AA is called the RACC.
Should I keep my foreign number plates?
Officially you are not permitted to drive a foreign plated car in Spain indefinitely. The maximum period 'per annum' is 6 months and you would have to garage your car for the remaining 6 months. This legislation is obviously difficult to police especially if you are an EEC citizen and able to drive using your own driving licence in Spain without an international licence.
The only real advantage of buying a car on tourist plates and remaining as a non-resident is to non-EU members, as the 16% IVA (VAT) and the Spanish special vehicle registration tax of 12 % would not be liable, a total saving of 28%.
Should I buy a car in Spain ?
Spain is the only country in Europe that levies a 12% 'special vehicle registration tax'. However, non-Spaniard EU citizens can avoid the tax by requesting that the car is fitted with a tourist registration plate, as opposed to Spanish. The tourist plate will have to be renewed every year and can be repeated as many times as you wish.
Should I buy a car with Spanish plates?
To buy a vehicle with Spanish plates you must have 'residency' not just fiscal residency but to own a property or to be able to present a certificate to show you are registered as an inhabitant (certificada de empadronamiento). However, buying a car on Spanish plates has certain advantages, such as easy to resell and payment in Spanish currency. The advantages of buying plates are that the Spanish police are empowered to demand spot payment for traffic violations and can legally impound your car to ensure the fine is paid. Also, you can pay in Spanish currency and the vehicle will be easier to resell.