Would you like to buy a car in Spain? Good news, it’s absolutely doable.
Whether you are after a nifty little run-around or something with a bit more vroom, here is what you need to know.
First, buying a car in Spain isn’t wildly different from doing so in the UK or anywhere else in Europe.
That said, Spain loves a bit of bureaucracy, so brace yourself for forms and stamps.
One biggie to remember: in Spain, it’s the car that’s insured, not the driver. Sounds odd, but it’s true. So, if you lend your car to your neighbour, Paco, it is the car that’s covered.
Now, about ownership. If you buy the car, it is up to you to officially switch the paperwork. No one’s going to do that for you unless you throw some euros at a gestor (a local admin whizz who can make your life easier).
Road tax (IVTM) works a bit differently too. I i’s charged at the start of the year and covers the previous year. Yes, that seems backwards. If you are the name on the logbook come 1 January, congratulations, you are paying it. And if the tax hasn’t been paid, you can forget transferring ownership into your name. Spain does not mess about with unpaid taxes.
If you are only in Spain part-time or still finding your feet, renting or leasing might be less of a faff.
Paperwork needed to buy a new car in Spain
- Your passport
- NIE number (your magic number in Spain)
- Your TIE card if you’ve got one
- Proof you live somewhere in Spain – an empadronamiento (a fancy word for a bit of paper from the town hall saying you exist)
Paperwork needed to buy a used car in Spain
- The change of ownership form
- The original car registration papers
- A sales contract or invoice (written proof you didn’t just pinch it)
- ID from the person selling it
Paperwork needed for a lease car in Spain
- Proof you’ve got a Spanish bank account
- A phone or internet bill in your name
- A driving licence that works in the EU
- Income proof. If you are employed, bring along your last three payslips. If you’re self-employed, things get a bit more… entertaining. Expect to show tax returns, income declarations, and something called a vida laboral, basically your job CV, Spanish style
That’s it in a nutshell. Once you have ticked all the boxes and signed your name a few dozen times, you’ll be cruising along the Costa Blanca in no time.
