🚗 How to Import / Bring Your Car to Spain: A Step-by-Step Guide

For American expats, bringing your car to Spain can feel like navigating a labyrinth. A critical piece of good news: if you are officially moving your residence, you can import your car duty-free as a personal household effect. However, you are not exempt from Spanish taxes, technical inspections, or registration fees.

This guide breaks down the journey into clear stages: Shipping, Customs & Tax Payment, Technical Inspection (ITV), and Final Registration. You can click on DGT Traffic Department for updated information (in Spanish) and AEAT Tax Agency (in English).

🚗🚕🚗 Key Takeaways: Importing Your Car

• Personal Belongings are Duty-Free: You can import your car tax-free as part of your move, but must pay registration tax.
• 6-Month Time Limit: Complete the entire process within 6 months of arrival.
• Modifications Required: Most US cars need updates (lights, reflectors) to pass Spanish ITV inspection.
• Professional Help Recommended: Consider hiring a gestor for customs and registration paperwork.

Summary: The Full Journey & Cost

While bringing a car with sentimental value is understandable, the complexity and cost mean that for most American retirees, selling your car in the US and purchasing a compliant one in Spain is often the simpler and more economical choice.

Part 1: Clearing Spanish Customs (Non-EU Imports)

This is your first and most critical hurdle. You cannot proceed to other steps without clearing customs.

Documents for Customs

You will need to present the following to Spanish customs authorities:

• Original Title of Ownership: The vehicle’s title, proving you are the owner.
• Bill of Lading: The document from the shipping company proving the car arrived in Spain.
• Your Passport and NIE Number: Your identification and Spanish tax number.
• Customs Declaration Form: This is typically handled by your chosen customs agent.

Customs Duty Relief

You must be moving your habitual residence from outside the EU into an EU country.

• Proof of residence change (e.g., deregistration certificate from your old country + registration certificate or residence permit in your new EU country).
• Proof of Previous Use: A document (official car ownership document) showing you used the car in the US for at least 6 months before moving to avoid it being considered a “new” import for tax purposes.

Cost at Customs if not Duty Relief

• Tarrif: To import a car from outside the European Union, you must pay a 10% tariff on the customs value (CIF).
• IVA (VAT): This is the standard Value-Added Tax. You will pay 21% on the valor en aduana (the customs value of the car ,plus the tariff and transport ).
• Customs Agent Fees: Hiring a gestoría or customs agent is highly recommended. Fees can range from €300 to €1,000.

The 6-Month Deadline: Why Timing is Everything

One of the most critical and non-negotiable rules for American expats bringing their car is the strict 6-month deadline. Understanding this timeline is crucial to avoid your car being impounded or denied legalization.

Temporary Grace Period: When you enter Spain and establish residency (via your empadronamiento), you are granted a temporary, 6-month permit to drive your US-plated car. This is not an extension to start the process; it’s the entire window to complete it.

Part 2: After Customs – Non-EU & EU Cars

Once you have cleared customs, you have permission to import the car. Now you must make it legal for Spanish roads. This applies for both Non-EU and EU cars.

A) The Technical Inspection (ITV – Inspección Técnica de Vehículos)

The ITV ensures your car meets Spanish and EU safety and environmental standards.

🔧 Special Notice: American cars often require modifications to pass the ITV. Common changes include updating headlights (for right-hand traffic), adding rear fog lights, and ensuring all dashboard labels are in Spanish or have international symbols. Budget for this.

B) Paying Taxes to Tax Agency and City Hall

Yes, there are more taxes after customs.

C) Final Registration at the Traffic Department (DGT)

This is the final step to get your Spanish license plates and registration.

D) Install the Plates with your vehicle’s new registration number

Go to a specialized shop to get the license plates made and install them on the vehicle. After registering the vehicle, don’t forget to take out the mandatory insurance policy.

This step is often one of the final, tangible moments that makes the long process feel complete.

🔧The ITV Inspection: What American Cars Always Fail

The Spanish ITV inspection is notoriously strict. American cars are often designed to different standards, leading to several common failure points that can be costly and time-consuming to fix if not addressed beforehand.

1. Lighting and Signaling Systems

This is the most frequent failure point. The requirements differ significantly between the US and EU.

• Headlights (Faros): US-spec headlights have a different beam pattern designed for driving on the right-hand side. They will fail the ITV because they can dazzle oncoming drivers on European roads. You must either:
  • Replace the entire headlight units with EU-approved versions.
  • Use beam converter stickers (a temporary and not always accepted solution).
• Rear Fog Light (Luz antiniebla trasera): Mandatory in Spain. Most American cars have only one rear fog light (on the driver’s side), or none at all. You must install a bright, red rear fog light that operates independently of the brake lights.
• Turn Signals (Intermitentes): American red turn signals are not permitted. Turn signals must blink amber/orange.
• Side Marker Lights: The US requires amber side reflectors/lights. While not always a direct cause of failure, they must not be red or blue.

2. Emissions Compliance (Contaminación)

Your car must meet the European emissions standards for its year of manufacture.

• ECU Tuning: The engine’s computer (ECU) may be tuned for different fuel grades and emissions regulations. It may need to be re-flashed or adjusted to comply with EU norms, which is a complex and expensive process.
• Exhaust System (Sistema de escape): The entire exhaust system, including the catalytic converter, may need to be replaced with an EU-certified part.

3. Window Tint (Tinte de ventanas)

Spain has very strict laws on window tinting, especially for the front side windows and windshield.

• Front Side Windows (Ventanas delanteras): Must allow at least 70% of light through. Most factory-installed “privacy glass” on SUVs and many aftermarket tints are too dark and will cause an immediate failure.
• Windshield (Parabrisas): Only a very narrow, transparent strip at the top is allowed to be tinted.

4. Speedometer and Odometer (Cuentakilómetros)

The instrument cluster must display metrics in the metric system.

• Dual Display Required: The primary readout for speed must be in kilometers per hour (km/h). Having miles per hour (mph) as a secondary, smaller display is acceptable, but a sole mph display is a guaranteed failure.
• Odometer: The total distance traveled should ideally be displayed in kilometers, though this is sometimes less strictly enforced than the speedometer.

5. Tires (Neumáticos)

• Tread Depth (Profundidad del dibujo): Must be at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tire.
• Size and Specifications: Tires must be of the correct size and load rating for the vehicle. Any mismatched tires (different sizes on the same axle) will result in a failure.

6. Documentation and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

• VIN Plate (Placa del VIN): The VIN plate under the windshield must perfectly match the VIN on the ownership documents. Any discrepancy, damage, or illegibility will cause a failure.
• Owner’s Manual: While not always checked, having the vehicle’s manual can be helpful to prove specifications.

💡 Pro Tip: The Pre-ITV Check

Before your official ITV appointment, take your car to a trusted local garage that specializes in ITV preparations (“Taller de preparación para la ITV”). For around €50-€100, they can perform a mock inspection and identify exactly what needs to be fixed, saving you time, money, and the frustration of multiple failed attempts.

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. Start early – License and import processes take months
2. Budget for hidden costs – Taxes and modifications add 25-40% to import costs
3. Consider buying locally – Often cheaper than importing after all costs
4. Document everything – Keep all paperwork organized for multiple agencies

Need help navigating Spanish automotive bureaucracy? Many expats find consulting with a specialized gestor saves time and prevents costly mistakes during the transition.