Legal Requirements & Documentation
Registering a foreign car in Spain in 2026
How to put a foreign car on Spanish plates in 2026: ITV inspection, registration tax, DGT fee, documents and the residence exemption.
Updated: October 2026
If you move to Spain with your own car, sooner or later it needs Spanish plates. This guide explains the process known as matriculación for cars brought from another EU country, the UK or further afield. You will learn which inspections and taxes apply, what the DGT (Spain’s traffic authority) charges and how to keep the cost down.
When you have to register your car in Spain
Visitors can drive a car on foreign plates for a limited time, but once you become a resident your car is expected to be registered in Spain. In practice, police checks and insurance problems are the main reasons people get caught out. A foreign-plated car driven by a resident can be fined and, in some cases, immobilised.
Timing also matters for tax. The registration tax return is normally due within 30 days of the car starting to be used in Spain. If you qualify for the change-of-residence exemption (see below), that deadline is extended to 60 days. If you have not sorted out residency yet, start with our guide to becoming a resident in Spain.
Step by step: from foreign plates to Spanish plates
- Collect the paperwork: original foreign registration document, proof of ownership (invoice or sale contract), your NIE or TIE and passport, and ideally the manufacturer’s Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
- Get the ITV technical inspection: book an import inspection at an ITV station. If the car passes, you receive the Spanish technical card (ficha técnica).
- Deal with IVA and customs: for new cars from the EU, prove VAT payment in Spain; for cars from outside the EU, you need the customs import document (H1 certificate).
- Pay or claim exemption from registration tax: file form 576 with the Agencia Tributaria, or form 05/06 if you are exempt or not subject to it.
- Pay the local road tax: the IVTM (impuesto de circulación) at your town hall, or show you are exempt.
- Apply to the DGT: online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve, or in person at a Jefatura de Tráfico with an appointment. Pay the registration fee.
- Get your plates: once you have the permiso de circulación and your new number, order the physical plates at an authorised plate maker and fit them before you drive.
- Update your insurance: switch your policy to the Spanish registration number.
Cars from the UK
Since 1 January 2021, cars from Great Britain are generally treated like non-EU imports, so customs paperwork and import VAT may apply. Cars from Northern Ireland are still treated as EU vehicles. If a UK car already had EU status, the Agencia Tributaria can certify this, and the EU rules then apply.
The ITV import inspection
The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) checks that the car is safe, matches its documents and meets Spanish standards. For imports it is more thorough than a routine test. Bring the original foreign registration, the CoC and your ID. Without a CoC the inspection can become harder and more expensive, as the station may ask for a technical report from an approved engineer.
Common problems for right-hand-drive cars are headlights that dip the wrong way and missing rear fog lights on the correct side. Fix these before your appointment. ITV prices are set regionally and differ by station, so ask for the import inspection price when you book.
Registration tax and the residence exemption
The impuesto de matriculación (officially IEDMT) is charged the first time a car is registered in Spain, including used imports. It depends on the car’s official CO2 emissions and its value. For used cars, the value comes from the Ministry of Finance’s annual price tables, reduced for age.
| CO2 emissions (WLTP) | General rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 120 g/km, or no combustion engine | 0% |
| Over 120 and under 160 g/km | 4.75% |
| 160 to under 200 g/km | 9.75% |
| 200 g/km or more, or emissions not proven | 14.75% |
Regions can raise the top rates. Andalucía, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearics and others apply a higher percentage in the top band, while the Canary Islands apply lower rates.
There is an exemption for people moving their habitual residence to Spain. It usually requires that you lived abroad before the move and owned and used the car there for a period beforehand. The conditions are strict and must be checked with the Agencia Tributaria before you apply. If you qualify, you file form 05 instead of paying.
DGT fee and other costs
- DGT registration fee: €99.77 for cars (tasa 1.1), payable online in advance or by card at the office.
- ITV import inspection: varies by region and station.
- Registration tax: 0% to around 16% of the taxable value, unless exempt.
- Road tax (IVTM): set by your town hall, based on the car’s fiscal horsepower.
- Number plates: a small cost at an authorised plate maker.
- Gestor (optional): many people pay a gestor to handle the DGT and tax forms, which saves time but adds a fee.
The DGT has up to three months to decide. Until the car is registered you cannot drive it on Spanish roads, except with temporary plates. Once you have Spanish plates, check whether you also need to exchange your foreign licence; our guide to driving licences in Spain explains the rules.
Useful links
- DGT: registering new and foreign vehicles
- Spanish government: registration tax when moving a vehicle
- Agencia Tributaria: form 576 registration tax
- Driving licences in Spain
- Understanding the tax system in Spain
FAQ: registering a car in Spain
How much does it cost to register a foreign car in Spain?
The DGT fee is €99.77, plus the ITV inspection, road tax and plates. The biggest cost is often the registration tax, which can be zero for low-emission cars or if you qualify for the residence exemption.
Do I need a Certificate of Conformity?
It is strongly recommended. Without a CoC the ITV may require an engineer’s report, which adds time and cost. You can usually order one from the manufacturer.
Can I register a right-hand-drive car in Spain?
Yes, but the headlights must be adapted for driving on the right and the car must pass the ITV like any other import.
How long does registration take?
With all documents ready, many people complete the process within a few weeks. The DGT has a legal maximum of three months to decide.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Fees, tax rates and procedures can change – always check with the DGT, the Agencia Tributaria or a gestor before you act.
