On average up to 3 months if all documents and appointments are in place; timing depends on the region and the vehicle’s status.
Customs clearance of a car in Spain
Price of the service
from € 600
We support car customs clearance in Spain: tax calculation, coordination of ITV/homologation, payment of duties, registration with the DGT.
- Who it’s for: the “car import/customs clearance in Spain” service is for vehicle owners bringing a car into Spain from the EU/third countries, and for relocators with personal effects.
- What we do: compliance check, tax & fee calculation, dossier preparation, coordination of ITV and the entire process up to DGT registration and plate issuance.
- Coverage: Alicante, Valencia, Madrid, Torrevieja — in person and remotely.
- Timing: file prep 3–7 business days; next stages depend on ITV/DGT slots and vehicle status.
- Fees, from €600 (2025): service — see below; taxes/government fees/engineer report–ITV/translations are paid separately at published rates.
- DIY risks: incomplete file, no COC/type approval, non-compliance with emissions class, missed temporary deadlines.
Important information
Spain allows new residents (obtaining a residence permit) to import one car free of customs duty and VAT — you save 10%+21% = 31%. Key conditions:
- The car has been owned by you for at least 6 months before moving to Spain.
- You owned it for 6 months in the country you are moving from.
- You bring the car to Spain within 12 months from your move.
If these are not met, you can still import the car, but all taxes and fees apply with no reliefs. For non-relief imports the vehicle must meet current emission standards.
Service prices (2025)*
| City | Service | Price | Note |
| Torrevieja | Vehicle transfer/re-registration | €600 per car | Plus fees, taxes, ITV |
| Torrevieja | Spanish plates for an EU car | €500 | DGT registration; plates per tariffs |
| Valencia / Alicante / Madrid Torrevieja |
Customs for non-EU cars | €750 | Duties/VAT/engineer report/ITV ≈ €1,000. In Torrevieja, ITV escort not included. |
| Valencia / Alicante / Madrid Torrevieja |
Spanish plates for an EU car | €500 | Registration fees & plates per tariffs; in Torrevieja ITV escort not included. |
| Valencia / Alicante / Madrid | Assistance with driving licence exchange (UA, GE, MD) | €150 | Appointment, checklist; fees separate |
*Prices vary by office due to regional specifics.
Stage timelines
| Stage | Estimate | Comment |
| File preparation | 3–7 business days | Depends on translations |
| Customs/ITV/tax offices | up to 2 months from start | Depends on vehicle condition and EU conformity |
| Payment of taxes/fees | 1–5 business days | After receiving calculations |
| DGT registration | Depends on appointment | Office availability & workload |
Service fee and related costs
| Item | € | Note |
| Customs & registration support | On request (EU/non-EU) | Diagnostics, file, appointments, filing, tracking |
| Customs broker/engineer/ITV | Per tariffs | Paid directly to centre/lab |
| Taxes & duties | Per calculation | Depends on vehicle & region |
| Translations/notary | Depends on volume | Sworn translations |
| Plates/DGT fees | Per tariffs | Municipal/state fees |
We prepare a custom quote after consultation and document review.
Car import in Spain: key documents
| Block | Documents |
| ID & ownership | Passport & residence card, bill of sale/invoice, vehicle title, export papers |
| Import & taxes | Customs docs (for third countries), tax/fee receipts |
| Technical inspection | ITV report, proof of EU conformity |
| Residence | Padrón/registration in Spain |
Common DIY mistakes — how to avoid
- No Spanish residence — you can import, but all taxes/fees apply.
- Wrong tax calculation — we compute by your data & region and apply reliefs where eligible.
- ITV issues — we escort to ITV, translate, and advise what to fix to pass.
- Expired temporary regimes — we monitor import/registration deadlines. For relief import the 12-month window from residency start must not lapse.
- Incomplete translations — we use sworn translators and pre-check scope.
Sub-service briefs
Import from the EU
- For: purchase/transfer from EU countries.
- Includes: taxes/IVA, homologation & ITV, Spanish ficha técnica, Spanish plates.
Import from third countries
- For: cars from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia, UK, USA, etc.
- Includes: customs declarations, duties/VAT, inspection, Spanish technical file, Spanish plates.
Car customs clearance in Spain: what’s included
- Case diagnostics — export country, owner status, emissions class, vehicle age and modifications.
- Tax & fee calculation — guidance on duties/registration fees.
- Technical part — coordination of customs inspection and vehicle technical check.
- Filing & registration — forms, fee payments, submission to the DGT to obtain license plates.
- From the EU: focus on proving type approval and emissions class, paying registration tax (if applicable), passing ITV and registering with DGT.
- From third countries: additional border customs formalities; duties and VAT may apply; technical works are often needed to bring the car up to EU standards.
Turnkey car customs clearance in Spain — from the EU and from third countries
Step-by-step process
- Check — gather vehicle/import-route data, verify eligibility for reliefs.
- Document pack — all paperwork needed for customs clearance.
- Tech stage — customs broker, engineer’s report, ITV.
- Taxes & fees — support with payment of applicable duties/taxes and registration fees.
- DGT registration — filing, issuance of the Spanish technical file and license plates.
leave an application form for getting a consultation
Or contact us by phone, listed on the site.
FAQ
No. The vehicle must comply with European standards.
If the car is brought in within the first year of residence, you’re exempt from 10% customs duty and 21% VAT (total 31% saving). You still pay government/administrative fees, approx. €1,000–€1,500.
Yes, parts can be handled remotely via power of attorney and electronic payments.
Within the first year of residence there are broader environmental exemptions. After that, the car must meet current standards; an older car may fail the process if imported after the first year.
Yes, we handle filing and plate issuance after DGT registration.
Before Spanish plates, insurance can be foreign as long as it’s valid for use in Spain. Right after getting Spanish plates, you must switch to a Spanish policy to drive legally.
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