Importing a car from another EU country involves no customs, but there is a series of steps in Spain that have to be done in order: taxes, technical inspection and registration. This guide focuses on Germany and on what you need to have before paying for the car.
1. Before buying: the three German documents
Ask for and check these papers before you pay. Without them the process in Spain becomes much harder:
- Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I: the German registration certificate.
- Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II: the vehicle's title document. It is the most important one; without it ownership cannot be proven.
- COC (European certificate of conformity): proves the model is type-approved in the EU and greatly simplifies the inspection in Spain. If the seller does not have it, it can be requested from the manufacturer.
Plus the invoice or sale contract in your name, with date, price and chassis number. Check the chassis number matches on every document and on the car itself.
2. New or used: VAT changes
If the car is new for tax purposes (a few months since first registration or low mileage), VAT is paid in Spain, not Germany. If it is used and bought from a dealer applying the second-hand margin scheme, VAT is already included in the German price. If bought from a private seller, there is no VAT. Details in VAT when importing a car.
3. Bringing the car over
There are two usual options: transport it by truck, which avoids insurance and plate issues on the way, or drive it to Spain on German temporary export plates with the matching insurance. In the second case, check how long those plates are valid before setting off.
4. Once in Spain: the order of steps
- Import inspection (ITV): with the COC, the station checks the vehicle and issues the Spanish technical card.
- Registration tax (IEDMT): filed with the Tax Agency. The rate depends on CO2 emissions and can be zero for the cleanest cars.
- Road tax: registration with the town hall where you live.
- DGT registration: with all the above and the fee, a Spanish number plate is assigned.
- Plates: made up with the assigned number, and the car can be driven normally.
Each step in detail in registering an imported vehicle in Valencia.
"The most expensive mistake when importing from Germany is not the price: it is paying for the car without the Teil II and the COC in your hands."
Quick checklist
| When | What to have or do |
|---|---|
| Before paying | Teil I, Teil II, COC and invoice in your name, matching chassis number |
| At purchase | Know whether it is new or used for VAT and whether the seller is a business |
| Transport | Truck, or export plates with insurance |
| In Spain | Import ITV, IEDMT, road tax, DGT and plates |
Frequently asked questions
Is there customs if the car comes from Germany?
No. There are no customs within the EU, but there are tax and technical steps in Spain.
What if the car has no COC?
It can be requested from the manufacturer. If that is not possible, an individual type-approval with a reduced technical file is needed, which is longer and costlier.
Can I drive on German plates in Spain?
Only temporarily and with valid plates and insurance. If you live in Spain, the car must be registered here.
How long does it all take in Valencia?
With complete documents and the COC, it is a matter of days from the car's arrival. Without a COC or with incomplete papers, it can take much longer.
Can you handle the whole process?
Yes. We check the papers before you buy and handle the inspection, taxes and registration in Valencia.