Car Registration in Spain (Changing to Spanish Plates)

Last Updated: February 2026
Source: WhatsApp group (Drugovanje Valencia) - detailed guide by Marjana
Location specific: Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana

Overview

If you're bringing a car from another country (especially Germany, but process is similar for others), you need to register it and get Spanish plates. This guide covers the complete process for Valencia.

Complete Process (6 Steps)

Step 1: Prepare Documents from Home Country

From Germany (example):

• ✅ Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II (registration certificates)
• ✅ Kaufvertrag (sales contract / proof of purchase)
• ✅ COC (Certificate of Conformity) - highly recommended
• ✅ Proof of deregistration (if you deregistered in home country)

If COC is missing:

• Order from manufacturer
• Cost: €100-300
• Takes 1-2 weeks
• Alternative: Homologación individual (see below)

For other countries:

• Equivalent registration documents
• Sales contract
• COC if available
• Deregistration proof

Step 2: Technical Inspection (ITV - Inspección Técnica de Vehículos)

What is ITV:

• Spanish equivalent of MOT/TÜV
• Technical inspection to verify car is roadworthy
• Required before registration

Where to go in Valencia:

• ITV Catarroja
• ITV Mislata
• Any ITV station in Valencia

What you get:

• Ficha técnica española (Spanish technical card)
• Confirmation that vehicle is suitable for registration

Cost:

• Standard: €110-160
• Depends on vehicle type and CO₂ data

If you don't have COC:

• May need "homologación individual"
• Cost: €350-800
• Takes longer (1-2 weeks)

Booking:

• Website: https://www.tumejoritv.com/
• Choose date/time
• Best prices during off-peak hours
• Pay online, get reservation number
• Show up at appointed time (skip walk-in queue)

Community tip: "Best prices are during times with fewer clients"

Step 3: Registration Tax (Impuesto de Matriculación - Modelo 576)

What it is:

• One-time registration tax
• Based on vehicle's CO₂ emissions
• Paid to AEAT (Agencia Tributaria - tax authority)

Tax rates by CO₂:

Valencia note: No additional regional taxes, only national (576)

How to pay:

• Online: AEAT website (need certificado digital / Cl@ve)
• In person: Gestor can do it for you
• At tax office: AEAT office

Community tip: If you don't have digital certificate, use a gestor (€50-100 service fee)

Step 4: Annual Circulation Tax (IVTM - Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica)

What it is:

• Annual road tax
• Paid to Ayuntamiento (town hall) of Valencia
• Required: Can't register at DGT without proof of payment

Cost in Valencia:

• Standard car (8-11 CV fiscal): €68-90/year
• Varies by engine power

How to pay:

• Online: If you have empadronamiento in Valencia
• In person: At Ayuntamiento Valencia office
• Get receipt - you'll need it for DGT

Step 5: Registration at DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico)

Most important step - This is where you get Spanish plates!

Book appointment:

• Website: https://www.dgt.es
• Select "Cita Previa" (prior appointment)
• Choose Valencia office
• Book earliest available

Documents to bring:

• ✅ Passport + NIE/TIE
• ✅ Empadronamiento
• ✅ All documents from home country
• ✅ Ficha técnica from ITV
• ✅ Proof of payment:
  • Modelo 576 (registration tax)
  • IVTM (circulation tax)
• ✅ Sales contract
• ✅ Active insurance policy (must be valid)

DGT Fee:

• Tasa 1.1: €98.78

What you get:

• Permiso de circulación (Spanish vehicle registration)
• Spanish plate number assigned
• Receive on the spot

Step 6: Get Physical Plates Made

After DGT gives you plate number:

• Go to any plate maker
• Examples: FeuVert, Norauto, local shops

Cost:

• €15-25 for both plates

Installation:

• Can do yourself (just screw them on)
• Or shop can do it

Done! You now have a Spanish-registered car.

Total Costs (Real Valencia Example)

Typical total (without COC): €400-600
With COC: €500-900
With homologación: €850-1,400

Timeline

Typical process:

• Week 1: Get ITV appointment, gather documents
• Week 2: Pass ITV, pay taxes
• Week 3: DGT appointment
• Week 4: Receive plates, done

Fast track (if lucky): 2-3 weeks
Realistic: 3-4 weeks
With complications: 5-8 weeks

Insurance

Important: You need Spanish insurance before DGT appointment!

Options:

1. Transfer existing policy - Some EU insurers allow it
2. Get new Spanish policy - Required for registration

Popular insurers:

• Linea Directa
• Mapfre
• AXA
• Mutua Madrileña

Cost: €300-800/year (varies widely by car, driver age, history)

Community tip: Get quotes from multiple insurers - prices vary 2-3x!

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue: Missing COC

Option 1: Order from manufacturer

• Takes 1-2 weeks
• Cost: €100-300
• Easiest solution

Option 2: Homologación individual

• Required if COC unavailable
• Done by authorized workshop
• Cost: €350-800
• Takes longer

Community advice: "ITV can give you contact info for homologación"

Issue: Car Value Unknown (for tax)

Solution:

• Tax authority has databases of car values
• They'll calculate based on year/model/condition
• Or use purchase price if recent

Issue: No Certificado Digital

Solution:

• Hire gestor to handle online payments
• Cost: €50-100 extra
• Saves time and hassle

Issue: Insurance from Home Country Not Accepted

Solution:

• Get temporary Spanish insurance
• Can be done in 1 day online
• Get full policy later

Important Deadlines

After importing car to Spain:

• 30 days: Report import to customs (if from non-EU)
• 6 months: Must register vehicle in Spain
• Immediately: Must have valid insurance

Fines for late registration: €200-500+

Special Cases

Bringing Car from Non-EU Country

Additional steps:

• Import declaration at customs
• May need import duties (varies)
• Consult gestor or customs broker

Leased/Financed Vehicle

Requirements:

• Permission from leasing company
• May need special documentation
• Some companies don't allow registration abroad

Classic Cars (>25 years)

Benefits:

• May qualify for historic vehicle status
• Different tax rates
• Check with DGT

Useful Links

ITV:

• Booking: https://www.tumejoritv.com/
• Official ITV stations: Search "ITV + your city"

DGT:

• Appointments: https://www.dgt.es
• Forms and info: DGT website

Tax (AEAT):

• https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es
• Modelo 576 forms

Valencia Ayuntamiento:

• IVTM payment portal (for Valencia residents)

Community Tips

From experienced members:

✅ "Book ITV during off-peak hours for better prices"
✅ "Get COC before starting - saves headaches"
✅ "Have all documents ready before booking DGT"
✅ "Use gestor if you don't speak Spanish well"
✅ "Get insurance quote early - can take a day"
✅ "Keep copies of everything - you'll need them"

❌ "Don't wait until last minute - process takes weeks"
❌ "Don't skip insurance - can't register without it"
❌ "Don't lose ITV ficha técnica - it's critical"

Professional Help

If you want help:

• Gestores: Handle paperwork, appointments
  • Cost: €200-400 for full service
  • Worth it if you don't speak Spanish
• Workshops: Some do full service including ITV
• Community: Ask in "Drugovanje Valencia" WhatsApp group

FAQs

Q: Can I drive with foreign plates while waiting?
A: Yes, but only for 6 months max. Get insurance valid in Spain.

Q: What if my car fails ITV?
A: Fix issues, return for re-inspection. Minor items: €30-100. Major: Could be €500+.

Q: Do I need to deregister car in home country first?
A: Recommended but not always required. Check home country rules.

Q: Can I keep my car if I move to Spain temporarily?
A: If <6 months/year in Spain: maybe. If >6 months: must register.

Q: What about company cars?
A: More complex - company may need Spanish entity. Consult gestor.

Q: Electric cars - are taxes lower?
A: Yes! 0% registration tax (0 CO₂). Much cheaper to register.

Compiled from detailed community guide by Marjana in Drugovanje Valencia WhatsApp group. Process specific to Valencia but similar in other regions.