Yes, it is. Generally speaking, foreign nationals can buy a car registered in Spain provided they are residents in Spain, but not fiscal residents in the conventional sense. There are different opinions in both Spanish and English-language sources over how this residency has to be proven.
Can you buy a car in Spain if you're not a resident?
Spanish law allows foreign nationals, both residents and non-residents, to purchase a car in the country. According to the General Directorate of Traffic, about 861,000 cars were sold in Spain between January and December 2021.
How can a foreigner buy a car in Spain?
However, you will need to provide: Your NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) – your foreigner ID number. Proof of permanency in the form of your house deeds or a rental contract for a minimum of one year. A proof of residence (certificado de empadronamiento) which is no more than three months old.
Do I need a NIE number to buy a car in Spain?
You don't officially need a NIE Number to buy a car in Spain.
What documents are required to buy a car in Spain?
The most common documents you will need to bring are :
- NIE or residence permit.
- Vehicle technical specifications.
- Vehicle registration.
- Driver's license and date of issue.
- Address in Spain.
- Vehicle purchase invoice.
- MOT certificate for second hand vehicles.
- No claims bonus.
How much is car transfer tax in Spain?
When you buy a second hand car in Spain you have to pay ” Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP)”. This varies from region to region and in 2020 was between 4% and 8% of the “official” value of the car.
Do you need a Padron to buy a car in Spain?
You do not need to be an official resident of Spain in order to buy a car here, although you must provide proof of address in the form of a padrón (empadronamiento), a tenancy agreement or property deeds.
Can I drive a Spanish registered car on a UK licence in Spain?
Yes, you can drive in Spain using your full UK driving licence. But you must be at least 18 years old and, obviously, it must be in-date. Unlike in some other European countries, you don't need an international driving permit to drive there.
Can I drive a Spanish registered car in Spain?
If you are non-resident in Spain but have a Spanish registered car, you may be unwittingly registered as a Spanish tax payer – meaning you are liable for changing your foreign licence to a Spanish one, and may face a hefty fine for not doing so.
Can I drive a Spanish car on a UK licence?
You can drive on your UK licence for six months from the time you take residency, which is the start date on your TIE card. If you want to continue to drive in Spain after those 6 months, you will need a Spanish licence, which means taking a Spanish driving test.
Are cars cheap in Spain?
New cars are more expensive in Spain than in some other EU countries (although cheaper than in the UK) and up to double the cost of cars in the US. This also results in higher used car prices.
What do I need to drive in Spain after Brexit?
You will need an IDP to drive in Spain after Brexit if you have:
- a paper driving licence - green or pink version.
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
Can I buy a car in Spain if I live in Portugal?
You do need a NIE to purchase a vehicle, & proof of address. The ''documentation that shows that they are officially registered as resident in their town'' is the 'padrón' & you only have that if you live here, whereas non-residents can purchase vehicles. However driving it to Spain for an annual ITV wouldn't be legal.
How much does it cost to re register a car in Spain?
They'll give you your licence plate number and the final documentation and you'll have to pay 94 euro. Take all your documents to a specialist and have them make up the number plates for you using your new number. It will cost between 6 and 50 euro.
How long can I keep my UK registered car in Spain?
If you spend more than 183 days in Spain, then you are legally considered to be a resident. Hence, you are only permitted to drive a UK registered vehicle in Spain for up to 6 months of the year. If you stay longer than 6 months: You must register (Matriculate) your UK vehicle in Spain.
Can I drive in Spain with UK licence after Brexit?
Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)
You can continue to use your licence until 30 April 2022. You may need to take a test if you want to exchange your licence. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test to drive in Spain.
Can I drive in Spain with a UK license after Brexit?
For holders of UK driving licences, to drive in Spain as a resident in Spain, after the end of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement transition period (December 31, 2020), it is necessary to change your UK driving licence for a Spanish one. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead.
Can I drive my UK car in Spain after Brexit?
UK vehicles are currently treated the same as vehicles from other EU countries when it comes to registering them in Spain. If no deal is agreed stating otherwise, when the transition period ends, UK cars brought to Spain will be treated as non-EU imports. This means they will need to go through customs.
How long can I stay in Spain without becoming a resident?
How long can I stay in Spain without becoming a resident? You can stay in Spain for a maximum of 183 days per year (6 months) in order to not become a resident. If you spend an extra day (184 days and onwards), you will be regarded as a resident, hence paying resident taxes in the country.
How can I get proof of address in Spain?
The padrón is a document you receive when you register your Spanish address at the nearest town hall; it is called the certificado de empadronamiento. It is the proof of your address in Spain.
How much is it to transfer a car title in Spain?
How Much Does It Cost To Transfer the Vehicle? The current fee of €54.60 (mopeds €27.30) will need to be paid by the buyer at the local traffic office (Jefatura de Tráfico) for the transfer of the vehicle.
How do I change ownership of a car in Spain?
Visit the Jefatura de Tráfico office and provide the following documentation:- sales contract, applcation form, log book and MOT certificate (known as the ITV test certificate) for the vehicle (if it is over 4 years old), the tax receipt (which you should have been given by the seller) and photocopies of both the buyer ...
What documents do I need to change ownership of a car?
Copies of new and previous owner's ID (these need not be certified). Proof of new owner's residential address (a rates account or any utility bill would suffice) The car's original registration certificate, which the previous owner should provide.
Is it cheaper to buy a car in Spain or Portugal?
In both countries the matriculation taxes are included in the price which makes them seem cheaper in Spain as the tax is lower. If you managed to buy a car in Spain for export then as soon as you register it in Portugal the effective price would go up when they add the taxes.
Can a non resident buy a car in Portugal?
As a foreigner, you can buy a car in Portugal, but you must have : A proof of Portuguese domicile (a rental agreement, proof of purchase of real estate or a resident's card) ; A tax number (NIF) ; An identity document (CNI, passport, driving license ...).
