Valencia welcomes many British residents every year, and many ask whether it is worth bringing their car. The answer depends on the car, on whether it is a change of residence and on the paperwork it has.
Customs: no longer a single market
The car enters the EU as an import: a customs declaration (DUA) is filed and import duty and import VAT are paid, unless a relief applies. Duty can be zero if the car meets the rules of origin of the EU-UK trade agreement and this is proven; otherwise the general duty applies. Import VAT is calculated on the car's value plus transport and duty. See VAT when importing a car.
If you are moving to Valencia
Moving your residence may allow you to import your car free of duty and VAT as a personal belonging, and without registration tax, if you meet the requirements on previous residence, ownership and use of the vehicle. It is the most common case and the most favourable; see moving to Valencia with your car.
British documents
- V5C (logbook): the vehicle registration document. Before leaving, the keeper must tell the DVLA the car is being permanently exported.
- COC, if the car has one. Many models built for the UK market have no EU-valid COC, in which case individual type-approval is needed.
- Invoice or proof of purchase, and proof of your residence and use of the car if you claim reliefs or exemptions.
Right-hand drive and type-approval
A right-hand-drive car can be registered in Spain, but it must meet the technical requirements, starting with the headlights, which have to be adapted so they do not dazzle when driving on the right. The import inspection checks this. Without a valid COC, individual type-approval with a reduced technical sheet adds time and cost, and is sometimes not worth it.
"With a British car, the first question is not what it costs to bring it over, but whether it can be type-approved without modifications that make it not worth doing."
After that: the usual steps
Once customs and type-approval are settled, the rest is like any import: import inspection, registration tax or its exemption, road tax, DGT and plates. Step by step in registering an imported vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Does a British car pay import duty?
It may not, if it meets the EU-UK rules of origin and this is proven. Otherwise the general duty applies. When moving residence, a relief may apply.
Can a right-hand-drive car be registered in Spain?
Yes, if it passes the import inspection, which usually requires adapting the headlights.
What do I do with the V5C?
Tell the DVLA about the permanent export before leaving and keep the documents for registration in Spain.
Is it worth bringing the car or selling it in the UK?
It depends on the car's value, whether there is a COC and whether the residence exemption applies. We work it out with you before shipping.
Can you handle everything?
Yes: prior review, customs through an agent, inspection, taxes and registration in Valencia.