Are you looking to buy, sell, or import vehicles? Legal Management has got you covered!
Bringing a vehicle into Spain is a common choice, especially among German residents moving to the country or individuals looking to purchase cars that are often more affordable and better equipped abroad. However, there are important rules and costs to keep in mind when importing a vehicle into Spain.
The imported vehicle must remain in its factory condition. Any modifications such as lowered suspensions, unregistered running boards, or aftermarket parts not originally included by the manufacturer may lead to inspection failure in Spain.
Even if the car has passed technical inspections in its home country, Spain’s vehicle inspection standards are stricter, and non-compliant vehicles can be rejected.
When importing a car to Spain, you should account for the following expenses:
Fixed Fees: Approximately €200–€300 for technical inspection and registration processing.
COC Document: If you don’t have a Certificate of Conformity (COC), you may need to apply for one, which typically costs around €200.
Registration Tax: This tax varies based on the vehicle’s original sales price, year of manufacture, and CO₂ emissions.
For example, registering a 2016 BMW X5 could result in a registration tax exceeding €2,500. However, hybrid and electric vehicles with CO₂ emissions under 120 g/km are exempt from this tax, meaning you would only pay the basic fees, usually between €200–€500.
Especially in regions like islands, where travel distances are short, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are an excellent investment. Here’s why:
Subsidized Purchase: Hybrid and electric vehicles benefit from significant government subsidies, making them more affordable to buy.
Lower Running Costs: These vehicles typically enjoy lower road taxes and cheaper insurance rates.
Charging Station Support: The Spanish government offers substantial subsidies covering 70%–80% of the cost of installing a home charging station.
Sufficient Range: On islands and within cities, the electric range of most vehicles is more than enough for daily use.
Charging Rebates: In some cases, drivers may be eligible for partial or full reimbursement of vehicle charging cost.
👉 Pro Tip: Importing a hybrid or electric vehicle is especially cost-effective. Since these cars often emit very low CO₂, you can usually avoid the registration tax and complete the import process for less than €500. Contact Us today !
Thanks to the European Bolkestein Directive, the installation process for charging stations has been simplified, with fewer licensing barriers.
For Tenants: You can install a charging station with the landlord’s permission.
For Community Property Owners: Simply inform the president of the residential community in writing. The community cannot legally deny the installation.
For Detached Property Owners: You can proceed with installation without any additional approvals.
Charging Station: Typically costs between €500 and €800.
Installation: The total installation cost can reach a few thousand euros, but government subsidies usually bring the final price down to between €1,500 and €1,800.
