You can keep your UK car in Spain for up to 6 months if you are a tourist, or up to 2 years if you are a resident. However, you will need to register your car with Spanish authorities after 6 months.
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According to Spanish law, tourists can keep their UK car in Spain for up to 6 months. However, they must have a valid MOT (Ministry of Transport) and insurance from the UK, and the vehicle must not have Spanish plates. After 6 months, the car must be registered with Spanish authorities and have Spanish plates, a Spanish vehicle logbook, and Spanish insurance.
For residents of Spain, the time limit is extended to 2 years. During this time, the car must be registered with Spanish authorities and taxes on the vehicle must be paid to the Spanish government. Failure to do so can result in fines or even confiscation of the vehicle.
It is important to note that if the UK car is left in Spain for a prolonged period, the vehicle may be subject to Spanish import taxes, based on the car’s value and age. These taxes can be quite substantial, and should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to keep a UK car in Spain long-term.
Interestingly, there has been a recent surge in interest from UK citizens in registering their cars in Spain, due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the possibility of a no-deal scenario. Some Brits are taking advantage of the opportunity to guarantee their status in Spain by registering their cars with Spanish authorities.
In the words of Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, “Buying a car is easy, but keeping it roadworthy and legal is a whole different matter.” The rules and regulations regarding keeping a UK car in Spain can be complex and confusing, so it is important to seek professional advice and do your research before making any decisions.
Table:
| Type of Owner | Length of Time UK Car Can be Kept in Spain | Registration with Spanish Authorities Required? | Spanish Plates Required? |
|—————|—————————————————|—————————————————————|——————————–|
| Tourist | Up to 6 months | Yes, if car is kept in Spain for more than 6 months | No |
| Resident | Up to 2 years | Yes | Yes |
(Source: Insiderguides.com)
This video has the solution to your question
The rules surrounding importing a UK car to Spain have been changing frequently, but now an EU certificate from a DUA agent must be obtained to prove the car was in Spain before Brexit to waive import duty, NVA taxes, and other taxes. For cars that are older and have low emissions and admission taxes, it may be more beneficial to send them back to the UK rather than importing them to Spain after Brexit if they have a low value. However, for higher-value cars, it may be worth obtaining a certificate that waves taxes before importing. Physical access to the car is necessary for a technical check before the ITV inspection.
Here are some additional responses to your query
Basic Rules. As a general rule, a non-resident can drive a foreign registered vehicle in Spain for up to six months in a calendar year. However for a Spanish resident, it’s just 30 days from the date the vehicle first entered the country.
More interesting questions on the topic
How long can you keep UK registered car in Spain? six months
Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Spain for up to six months in any period of 12 months. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried: Full, valid UK driving licence.
Also to know is, Can I leave my English car in Spain?
The answer is: Simply put, the law is such that a foreign registered vehicle can only remain in Spain for 6 months for non-residents or tourists. If the owner is deemed to be resident then the vehicle must be re-registered within one month of the person becoming resident.
Simply so, How long can I keep my car in Spain for?
As an answer to this: If you are a foreigner in Spain for more than six months (182 days) in one year then legally you must import your car onto Spanish number plates.
Likewise, How long can a UK registered car stay in Europe? Answer: Taking your own vehicle abroad. You must take your vehicle log book (V5C) with you if you’re taking your vehicle abroad for less than 12 months. You may have to show it if you’re stopped at a port or while driving abroad. Your V5C must show your most recent address in the UK.