Importing car from uk to spain

Customs. A potentially extra cost to register a UK car in Spain after Brexit is customs duty of 10% and 21% IVA. The taxes are based on either the value published in the Government official list of vehicle values, the purchase price or assessed market value, depending on the age of the car and when you acquired it ...

matriculation obviously on top of this

Hi, I am in the process of importing my Uk registered car in to Spain. I had been given all sorts of “facts” on the process and costs and although some of the figures quoted were correct in parts, they were not the full facts.

I have a few quotes for the matriculation process and I have laid out the process and the costs I have been given;

Headlights: these will need to be adjusted or replaced as required to conform, please be aware that your vehicle will need to have a rear fog and reversing light.

ITV: similar to our MoT, I am told the nearest place is Lorca and an appointment is required, there are some companies that we do this for you. Approx cost €250.

Road tax: once you have come the process and have all the ITV documents, you need to take these to the local Town Hall who will issue a tax invoice, I have been able to verify the costs of this.

Customs: Import tax is 21% of the Spanish Hacienda value of the car but be aware that is not the “purchase” value of the car it is much more realistic in terms of value. However you are exempt from paying this if you are resident or applying for residency and can prove you purchased the vehicle 12 months before and proof of residency in the country of the vehicle registration (UK) prior to arriving in Spain. Regardless you will have to pay CO2 emissions tax, this is a sliding scale based on the emissions of your vehicle from 0 to 16.9% for the gas guzzlers plus a fee of €110. The vehicle will need to be inspected at Anduanas (customs) in Almeria port or Murcia if closer and again an appointment needs to be made plus a fee which is separate to any other costs of €140.

Residencies/NIE: A Padron issued in the last 3 months and a NIE or TIE.

Please do not be put off by the process, there are organisations that will handle the process for you and take your vehicle to the ITV and customs, adjust headlights etc. I have been quoted between €770-996 (not including taxes) for my 2009 Volvo which is top rated for emissions and with the headlight re-alignment is coming out at €1720, assuming customs accept my proof that I had the vehicle in and lived in the UK for 12 months prior to moving.

I made the mistake of matriculating my car when we moved over a few years ago. It was very expensive ( 600 for the headlights alone, probably 1800 in total and there was no 21% import duty back then), it took a while to complete and after everything it was always going to be a RHD . Even though I loved that car it was a big mistake and a waste of money. 

Reading the comments you will see conflicting advice, it’s very much dependent on your circumstances. I bought a Mercedes from an old man in the UK, like new, low mileage. Cost of importing/ matric was €870 in total. An equivalent car in Spain was more than double what I paid, so it was for me the proverbial “ no brainier”.

This was in 2018.

Yes, having spoken to quite a few people, some are of the same opinion, cost and the fact It is RHD. On the subject of cost, I looked at a replacement LHD a similar age and mileage and selling mine in the UK. The nearest I could get had more mileage, an unknown history and service record and would have cost €6,000 more and I have maintained and looked after mine. Even if I paid the tax on mine I will still be better off by €3,000 and having lived and worked in Germany for a number of years with my RHD car, it is not an issue for me. Really a matter of choice.

I imported my shogun just before Brexit so didn’t have to pay extra tax 

I got the headlights from Lithuania on eBay for about 120€ delivered to spain and took the car to Lorca for the matriculation about 150€ People in the itv were very hel

Jordan at Forte did the paperwork and got the plates about 800€ all inclusive 

What you should get though before you leave uk is a certificate of conformity It makes the matriculation much easier 

Hi what's your opinion on buying a lhd Spanish registration car in the uk and taking it back to spain. There seems a good choice online. David