Buying a car in Spain in 2026: new, used and the paperwork

Updated: October 2026

Sooner or later many newcomers in Spain decide to buy a car, especially outside the big cities. This guide explains what you need before you start, how buying new differs from buying used, which checks protect you from expensive surprises, and how the transfer of ownership works with Tráfico (the DGT).

What you need before you buy

• NIE or residence card: the DGT registers vehicles in the name of a person with a Spanish identification number. In person, a passport plus NIE is accepted.
• A Spanish address: the vehicle is registered to an address, and your identity document or supporting papers must show it. Registering on the padrón makes this, and the yearly road tax, much simpler.
• A valid driving licence: check whether you need to exchange your foreign licence in our driving licence guide.
• Insurance ready to start: a car cannot be driven on public roads without at least third-party insurance. See our guide to car insurance for expats.
• Digital access (optional but useful): a digital certificate or Cl@ve lets you do most DGT and tax steps online instead of booking appointments.

Buying a new car

Buying new from a dealer (concesionario) is the simplest route for paperwork. The dealer registers the car, gets the plates and the registration certificate (permiso de circulación) and the technical card (ficha técnica), and the price normally includes 21% VAT and the registration tax.

The registration tax (impuesto de matriculación) depends on the car’s official CO2 emissions. Cars with low emissions, up to 120 g/km, pay no registration tax, and the rate rises in bands for more polluting cars. Always ask for the full on-the-road price (precio final) including registration tax, transport and pre-delivery costs, because advertised prices often depend on financing or trade-in discounts.

• Guarantee: new goods sold to consumers in Spain carry a three-year legal guarantee, on top of any manufacturer warranty.
• Financing: dealer finance is common, but lenders usually ask for a Spanish bank account, payslips or tax returns. Newcomers without Spanish income history may need a larger deposit. An account with a Spanish bank helps.
• Electric and plug-in cars: government purchase incentives have changed several times. Ask the dealer which national or regional scheme is open when you buy, and how the payment works.

Buying a used car: dealer or private seller

Second-hand cars hold their value well in Spain, so prices can surprise people from other countries. You have two main options.

From a dealer

A professional seller must give consumers a legal guarantee on used cars, which can be shorter than for new goods but not less than one year. The dealer usually handles the transfer and includes it in the price, and the sale is invoiced with VAT, so you normally do not pay the transfer tax described below. Ask what is included: guarantee length, the transfer fee, a fresh ITV and a service.

From a private seller

Private sales are often cheaper, but you get no commercial guarantee, only limited protection against hidden defects. You also handle the paperwork and pay the transfer tax yourself. The checks in the next section matter most here.

Checks before you sign

The DGT’s own advice for buyers of used cars is worth following step by step.

1. Order a DGT vehicle report (informe de vehículo). The full report shows ITV history and results, recorded mileage readings, number of previous owners, whether the car is insured, and any charges such as unpaid finance (reserva de dominio), seizure (embargo) or leasing. It costs a small fee and can be ordered online with the number plate.
2. Check the ITV. The inspection must be valid. A car with an expired ITV may not be driven and has to be taken to the station on a tow truck. Read our guide to the ITV inspection.
3. Confirm taxes and fines are paid. The DGT will not transfer a car with unpaid fines or unpaid municipal road tax (IVTM) from previous years.
4. Inspect and test drive. Look at tyres (at least 1.6 mm tread), oil, bodywork, lights, brakes and steering. If you are not confident, pay a garage to inspect the car before you sign.
5. Need new tyres? If the tread is low, or you want winter tyres for trips to the mountains, you can compare prices and order online from Neumaticos (ad) and have them fitted at a local garage.
6. Match the documents to the car. The chassis number (bastidor) on the car must match the permiso de circulación and ficha técnica, and the seller must be the registered owner.

The paperwork: contract, tax and transfer

1. The sales contract

The contract (contrato de compraventa) must include both parties’ names and DNI/NIE numbers, the make, model and number plate, the price, and the date and time of signing. Both buyer and seller sign every page. Pay by bank transfer so there is a record.

2. The transfer tax (ITP)

In a private sale the buyer pays the Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales to the region where they are tax resident, using form 620 or 621. In Andalucía the general rate for used cars is 4%, with a higher rate for powerful cars measured in fiscal horsepower. The tax is calculated on the higher of the price you paid and the official value in the Hacienda price tables, which is reduced for the car’s age. In Andalucía the deadline is two months from the contract date, and you file with the Agencia Tributaria de Andalucía, usually online. Other regions have their own rates and deadlines.

3. The change of ownership at the DGT

The buyer must complete the transfer of ownership within 30 days of signing. The standard DGT fee in 2026 is €55.70 (lower for mopeds). You need the signed contract, proof that the ITP has been paid, your identity document showing your address, and the fee. You can do it online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve, or in person at a Tráfico office with an appointment.

Sellers should file a notificación de venta as soon as the sale is signed. It takes effect from the day it is filed and moves responsibility for fines to the buyer. If you are selling a car later, do this straight away.

Cost	Who pays	Notes
DGT transfer fee	Buyer	€55.70 for cars in 2026
ITP transfer tax	Buyer (private sales)	4% in Andalucía on the higher of price or table value; varies by region
DGT vehicle report	Buyer, before buying	Small fee, ordered online
Insurance	Buyer	Must start before you drive
Road tax (IVTM)	Owner on 1 January	Paid yearly to the town hall

Many buyers use a gestoría for the tax and DGT steps. It costs a fee, but they handle the forms in Spanish and know local deadlines. If you are bringing a car from abroad instead, read our guide to registering a foreign car in Spain.

Useful links

• DGT: buying a second-hand vehicle
• DGT: transfer of ownership
• DGT: seller’s sale notification
• DGT: how to read a vehicle report
• Car insurance in Spain for expats
• Registering a foreign car in Spain

FAQ: buying a car in Spain

Can I buy a car in Spain without being a resident?

You need an NIE and an address in Spain for the registration. Non-residents with an NIE can buy, but insurance and financing are usually easier once you are resident.

How long do I have to put the car in my name?

The buyer must complete the DGT transfer within 30 days of signing the contract. The transfer tax deadline in Andalucía is two months, but you need proof of payment for the DGT step, so pay it first.

Can I declare a lower price to pay less tax?

It does not help. The tax is based on the higher of the price and the official table value, and declaring less than the table value can trigger a check and extra payment.

What if the car still has finance on it?

The seller must get a cancellation letter from the lender and remove the reserva de dominio from the register before the transfer. Do not pay in full until this is done.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Fees, tax rates and procedures can change and differ between regions – check with the DGT, your regional tax office or a gestor or lawyer before you buy.