The Essentials of Bringing Your UK-Registered Car to Spain

by Liz Seyi Digital marketing manager

Moving to another country can undoubtedly be extremely exciting, but can also bring with it a lot of stress, particularly if you encounter any predictable problems for which you failed to adequately prepare. Bringing your car into Spain from the UK is a case in point – the police and Guardia Civil in the country can be notorious for their diligent checking of suspicious vehicles and the accompanying documentation.

As a Briton moving to Spain, the foreign plate of any car that you bring into the country will make you an obvious target for the authorities. So what are the things that you really need to know?

You Can Rest Easy To an Extent

First of all, the good news: it’s perfectly legal to drive a UK-registered car in Spain. However, you will need to ensure you are familiar with all of the relevant legislation and documentation requirements, as you otherwise run the risk of your vehicle being impounded and a massive fine issued.

Another vital distinction is whether you are a resident or non-resident, as this will affect the period of time for which you are permitted to drive your car on Spanish roads.

According to EU directives, you are a resident of Spain if you spend more than 183 days of the year there, which means you are only allowed to drive a UK-registered car in the country for up to six months of the year. If there is a chance of this being exceeded, you will need to look into having your car registered (matriculated) in Spain, or driving or transporting it back to the UK – or at least, out of Spain.

We Can Be Your One Stop for Expat Car Insurance in Spain

As expats ourselves, here at Ibex Insurance Services, we are ready and waiting to serve those who have recently moved to Spain and require suitable Expat Car Insurance In Spain.

We take such obstacles as the language barrier out of the process when you need to purchase Car Insurance Spain as a newcomer to the country, so don’t be afraid to get in touch with our team today for further guidance on how you can identify the right policy for you.