How to: Register A Car in Spain

If you want to come and live in or start up your own company in Spain and you want to bring your own car, it is vital that you register your car or vehicle in the country too. It’s worth noting that the process can be relatively heavy and cumbersome but it really is essential that you do so.

It costs between 200- 250 € to fully complete your car’s registration in Spain.

Carrying out your MOT Test

Registering a car in Spain is similar to the process in the UK. Firstly, you’ll need to book in for an MOT test in an authorised centre for foreigners living in Spain. When you book in for the test, do not forget to make sure that the registration is for a change of address rather than importation of the vehicle.

The appointment itself can take place at the aforementioned approved centers. If you are living in Barcelona, there is only one approved center where you can carry out this process – it is called “CERTIO”  (Carrer Avila, 130, 08000 Barcelona). This process costs around 70 €, but this can vary according to the province or area in which you do so.

The Documents You Will Need

• Your car registration document under your name
• The invoice for the purchase of your car + a photocopy
• Your NIE and a proof of identity (INTERNAL LINK TO NIE ARTICLE??)
• European Certificate of Conformity: this is a document that is normally given to you on the day of purchase of your vehicle. In which case, you should offer the “ficha reducida de caracteristicas tecnicas” which you can request online. However, please be aware that the cost of this can go up to around 100 € .

Your “TARJETA ITV” (MOT Card) and Tax Disk will be sent to you following the MOT test and should be fixed onto your windshield thereafter.

The Paperwork

Payment of the “Impuesto sobre Vehiculos de Tracción Mecanica”

The payment of this tax makes up the final stage of registering a car in Spain. To make the payment itself, you will need to go to the mayor of the city in which you are living.

If that city is Barcelona, the process can in fact be done directly online – click here. Once the form is completed and you have paid the tax with your credit card, you’ll need to print the receipt of payment which is known as “Autoliquidación del Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica”.

If you do not live in Barcelona or if you would prefer to make the payment directly in person, you should go to the “Instituto Municipal de Hacienda” (Av, Litoral, 30 1r, 08005 Barcelona) with your Tarjeta ITV, your NIE and a proof of identity.

The tax amount is around 70 € but this does vary according to the vehicle’s power.

“Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte” – Agencia Tributaria

To pay this tax of 0.60 €, you’ll need to go to the Agencia Tributaria office in your area. You’ll find a list of these offices here.

For Barcelona: Pl. Letamendi, 13, 08007 Barcelona.

You’ll need to go to the desk and buy a “Modelo 06 – Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte” form. Once you have filled out the form, return it to the salesperson with the following documents:

• Your NIE
• Proof of Identity + Photocopy
• Your completed Modelo 06 form
• Tarjeta ITV
• Your original invoice + Photocopy

To Complete the Process

The final stage to register your vehicle in Spain is the “Solicitud de Matriculación – 9.03 Castellano” form. You’ll need to download and fill out this form. Click here for all the information you will need on where to find your local administrative office, where you will need to make an appointment.

On the day of the appointment, you will need to pay a fee of around 95 € but this does vary every year. You will then be redirected to a second desk where you will need to present the following documents:

• Your NIE and a proof of identity
• Your Tarjeta ITV
• Your car registration document + Photocopy
• The “Solicitud de Matriculación” Form
• Your ’”Autoliquidación del Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica” receipt
• Your filled out Modelo 06 form
• Your original receipt of purchase + Photocopy

Following payment of this final fee, the salesperson at the office should give you your new car registration document meaning your vehicle is now officially registered in Spain.

The final total of all payments is around 200/250 €. 

Feel free to leave a comment on this article about your experience in registering your vehicle in Spain or if you have any tips for anyone looking to do so!