Vehicle Registration
Obtain Spanish Licence Plates
When do I have to register my vehicle in Spain?
If you are a resident in Spain, you are legally required to register your vehicle within 30 days from the date the vehicle enters Spain. This period is extended to 60 days if you are moving your residence to Spain.
If you are not a resident in Spain -meaning you spend less than 183 days per year in the country- vehicle registration is generally not mandatory. However, if you intend to leave your vehicle in Spain instead of taking it back to your home country each time, it is strongly recommended to register the vehicle and obtain Spanish licence plates to avoid potential legal and tax issues.
What are the benefits of Spanish licence plates?
Aside from not needing to drive your vehicle back to your home country, getting Spanish licence plates comes with a few important benefits:
Insurance: many insurance companies don't offer full coverage outside the country where the policy was issued. By registering your car in Spain, you can access local insurance that covers you fully while driving here.
Technical Inspection (ITV): with Spanish plates, you can complete the mandatory vehicle inspection anywhere in Spain. This saves you from having to return your car to another country just to pass a technical check.
