Can A Non Resident Buy A Car In Spain?
After spending a lot of time in Spain, many people think about buying a car. Spanish law allows foreign nationals, both residents and non-residents, to purchase a car in the country. According to the General Directorate of Traffic, about 861,000 cars were sold in Spain between January and December 2021. The market is full of dealers offering various new and used cars.
Do I need a Spanish driving licence to buy a car in Spain?
What documentation do I need to provide? – Ironically, just about the only thing you won’t need in order to buy a car is a driving licence. However, you will need to provide:
- Your NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) – your foreigner ID number
- Proof of permanency in the form of your house deeds or a rental contract for a minimum of one year
- A proof of residence (certificado de empadronamiento) which is no more than three months old
If you’re financing the car through the dealer you’ll need to provide proof of your income.
What documents are required to buy a car in Spain?
Changing car ownership for second hand vehicle – When purchasing a second hand vehicle, you have 30 days to change the car ownership. In order to carry ot the change of car ownership, you need to collect the following documents:
- Application form for change of ownership
- Sales agreement signed by both the buyer and the seller
- Official identity document of the buyer (DNI, Spanish driving license, residence permit, passport with NIE)
- Official identity document of the seller (DNI, Spanish driving license, residence permit, passport with NIE)
- Proof of payment of administrative costs (for a vehicle, form 1. 5 with a price of 55. 15 euros)
- Proof of payment or exemption from ITP tax
This procedure can be carried out:
- In person by presenting the above documents to a Jefatura u Oficina de Tráfico. Beforehand, make sure you book an appointment via internet or by calling 060.
- Via internet through the DGT register tab “Cambio de titularidad – Presentación general”.
Once the change is made, a new vehicle’s registration card will be sent to you.
Can I own a Spanish car with UK licence?
Yes, you can buy and drive a Spanish registered car and yes, you can drive it on your UK DL as a non-resident.
Are cars expensive to buy in Spain?
New cars are more expensive in Spain than in some other EU countries (although cheaper than in the UK) and up to double the cost of cars in the US. This also results in higher used car prices. However, although cars may be more expensive to buy, they depreciate more slowly than in most other European countries, so the extra you pay when buying a car is usually gained when you sell it.
- Spanish-made cars are generally cheaper than imported cars, due to import taxes and duty;
- If you do high mileage, it may be worth considering buying a diesel car, as diesel fuel costs marginally less than petrol in Spain (it’s also cheaper in most other EU countries);
Cars may be bought in Spain by residents or by non-residents owning a property in Spain, renting a property for a minimum of a year or registered as an inhabitant of their municipality ( empadronado ).
Where is the cheapest country to buy a car?
So which country takes the number one spot for cheapest car ownership costs? – If you want to maximize savings, you’ll have to head across the seas to the Land Down Under. Australia holds the title of most affordable place to own a car, where just under 50% of the average annual income is spent on ownership costs.
Denmark comes in third at just over 60% and Canada, fourth at slightly more than 64%. Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom are next, with Finland rounding out the top 10 most affordable.
There, car ownership costs consume 91. 58% of the average yearly salary. If you think this is exorbitant, just wait until you see how much car ownership costs in the most expensive country!.
Can I own a car in France as a non resident?
Controle technique test Can a foreigner buy a car in France? Yes, a foreigner can buy a new or used car in France. Buying a new car is typically less hassle although more expensive than buying a second-hand car. In France , it is popular to buy second-hand cars from dealers, garages, or auctions.
What is the best way to buy a car in France? In France , it is popular to buy cars second-hand from dealers, garages, or auctions. However, since the French used car market is quite small, you might find it easier to buy a left-hand drive car in the UK, import it to France , and re-register it there.
Buying a CAR in Spain
Is it cheaper to buy a car in France? Cars in France tend to be more expensive than abroad. As a cheaper alternative, you could look into buying a second-hand car or buying a left-hand drive car in your home country and importing it to France. What are the taxes on buying a car in France? There is no annual road tax in France like there is in the UK.
Can a non resident own a car in Portugal?
Who can buy a car in Portugal ? – As a foreigner, you can buy a car in Portugal, but you must have : • A proof of Portuguese domicile (a rental agreement, proof of purchase of real estate or a resident’s card) ; • A tax number (NIF) ; • An identity document (CNI, passport, driving license.
- If you live in Portugal for more than 6 months a year, you must register your foreign vehicle within 12 months of your installation in the country;
- Choosing to take your car with you or buy one in Portugal usually depends on two factors;
On the one hand, the amount of ISV tax that can quickly climb and on the other hand, the selling price of cars in Portugal which are usually 30% more expensive than in other countries. There is an ancestral rule passed from expat to expat that says that for a car worth less than 10 000 € better sell it and buy one in Portugal when you arrive. You have to be careful when you buy a car in Portugal.
Why are second hand cars so expensive in Portugal?
Importing cars into Portugal may be very expensive – If you want to bring your car, with a third country license plate, to Portugal, think twice. Vehicle import taxes are very high. So much so that, although the price of cars in Portugal is on average much higher than in other European countries, taxes make importing even more expensive.
To start with, cars with less than 6 months of registration or less than 6,000 km are considered new. Therefore, you will always be charged 23% of the car’s IVA , Imposto Sobre Valor Acrescentado (VAT) price in Portugal, regardless of whether you paid it in the country of origin.
There is, however, the possibility for expatriates who move to Portugal to be exempt from paying vehicle tax (ISV), VAT and customs duties to import a vehicle. One of several advantages offered by the Portuguese government to non-habitual residents. To be eligible for this benefit, you must have the car registered in your name for at least 6 months before moving to Portugal.
- This tax benefit is valid for the first 10 years of your legal residence in Portugal;
- Find out how to obtain the vehicle tax exemption on the official website of the Tributary and Customs Authority;
- If, however, you are not going to fix residency in Portugal or don’t meet all the conditions, you will have to pay import taxes normally;
Then it will be very expensive. For example, when importing a car from outside the EU to Portugal with a value of approximately €25,000, you will have to pay around €50,000 in taxes, depending on the year and engine capacity of your vehicle.
Can I buy a car in Spain as a non resident 2021?
Claiming against the repair shop – If you feel the repair shop has acted unfairly, there are two ways to bring legal action against it:
- Before the Consumption Arbitration Board ( Juntas Arbitrales de Consumo ): You will need to fill in the form ( hoja de reclamaciones ), which should be available in the repair shop; a copy of the repair estimate and the repair invoice. It is required that both parties voluntarily agree to submit their controversy to arbitration , otherwise you should bring legal action before the Spanish ordinary courts.
- Before the Spanish ordinary courts. Each court has certain defined jurisdiction and categories of disputes may be excluded because of the amount at stake. If the amount in controversy exceeds € 3005. 06, rules of civil ordinary procedure shall be applied. If the amount does not exceed the quantity expressed, the rules of civil oral procedure will be applicable.
You will need skilled legal counsel for either of these actions.
What is a circulation permit in Spain?
What documents and items do I need to drive in Spain? – There are certain documents that you must have in your car when driving in Spain. If you don’t have these documents (and other legally required items listed below) you might get a fine or penalty.
- Valid UK driving licence. The legal age to drive in Spain is 18, and you must hold a full, valid driving licence – provisional licences aren’t valid in Spain. If you plan to rent a vehicle in Spain, you must be at least 21 years old and have had your driving licence for a minimum of one or two years.
- Vehicle insurance documents. Always carry your insurance certificate with you in case you’re stopped and asked to present proof of insurance. This certificate will generally only be valid for a stay of 3 months or less, so make sure to contact your insurer if you’re planning a longer visit.
- Proof of identity. A form of identification, such as a valid passport.
- Temporary circulation permit. If you’ll be driving in Spain in your own car, you’ll need to request a temporary circulation permit for your car at Customs when entering the country. This will be valid for six months – if you plan on staying longer, you’ll need to register your car in Spain.
- V5 registration log book (or a VE103 document for rented vehicles).
There are also other items you will need to have in your vehicle when driving in Spain. These are:
- A UK sticker. On 28th September 2021, the GB sticker requirement was changed to a UK sticker. This means that GB stickers are no longer valid. Your vehicle may have the UK identifier incorporated into the number plate, but in Spain the sticker must be visible no matter what’s on your number plate.
- Two red warning triangles. In the event of a road accident or breakdown, you must place two red warning triangles at least 50 metres in front of and behind the vehicle.
- Spare wheel. You must carry a spare wheel and the tools required to change it if one of your car’s wheels is damaged.
- Reflective jackets for each occupant. If you’re required to leave your vehicle at any time to a road accident or breakdown, you must wear a reflective vest or you may get a large fine.
- Headlamp beam deflectors. In the UK, headlamps are aligned to the left, which is an issue when driving at night in Spain as this means they shine into oncoming traffic. Beam deflectors can correct this.
How much does it cost to matriculate a car in Spain?
Registering a Spanish vehicle Often, when you buy a new car in Spain, the seller will offer to sort out the registration fees (gastos de matriculación) for you, but may charge as much as 500 euro.