Register Your Foreign Vehicle in Spain | AB-Motors
Spanish Vehicle Registration Services for Expats — Personal, Professional & Hassle-Free
Register your foreign vehicle in Spain with expert help from us — We handle your ITV inspection, paperwork, and plates from start to finish.
If you’re an expat, new resident, or foreign vehicle owner living in Spain, getting your car officially registered with Spanish plates can be a frustrating process — especially with the language barrier, legal paperwork, and ITV inspections required.
At AB-Motors, we make the process simple and stress-free. We personally guide every client through the full registration process — including performing the ITV inspection for you. You’ll benefit from hands-on support, expert vehicle prep, and efficient service that saves you time and energy.
This is a full-service package — not just advice or paperwork handholding. We take care of the actual work, including bringing your car through ITV. Here's what you get:
Free initial consultation
We start with a quick, friendly call where I get to know your situation and your vehicle. Everything is clearly explained while answering any questions you might have. No fluff, no pressure
Pre-ITV Vehicle Check
To avoid inspection surprises, a thorough technical pre-check is performed to give your vehicle the best chance of passing the ITV on the first go without running into any nasty surprises
ITV Inspection
You stay relaxed while we personally take your vehicle to the ITV station for its official roadworthiness test. We have done this for hundreds of clients — we know the system, and we make it smooth.
Paperwork & Bureaucracy
Vehicle registration forms
Emissions classification
Import tax processing (if applicable)
Plate assignment and sticker application
Registered in Spain!
Once approved, we will provide and fit your official Spanish number plates and environmental sticker, so your car is fully legal.
How long it takes:
This is a general timeline explaining the registration process and how long each step takes. Please take into consideration that this timeline is for EU registered vehicles that require no modifications. For other vehicles (self built campervans for example) please get in touch so we can help with getting the additional proceedures done required to register something like that in Spain for you.
Under normal circumstances we can have your vehicle on spanish plates within 3 weeks after the ITV inspection has been completed. (It may take longer if there are holidays, or in the month of August)
Collection of all necessary documents, vehicle inspection (and repairs if required), and the official ITV Inspection
...collection of documents from the ITV station
You will receive a PDF file informing you that your vehicle is now in the Spanish database and has a license (matricula) assigned to it. You can now start getting insurance quotes!
Physical paperwork is complete and collected.
License plates and emissions sticker are made and handed over along with all documentation.
Why People Choose Us:
We work hard and have the expertise. This allows you to benefit from our years of experience!
Hands-on Help From A Real Person
Personalized care and expert guidance
Multilingual Support
No confusion or translation stress. We speak English, German, and of course Spanish.
Transparent, fixed quotes
Total clarity and peace of mind
I Handle The Hard Parts...
...and you relax. No time wasted, no red tape!
Trusted Across The Expat Community
Clients return - and they recommend!
Who We Typically Work With:
We assist a wide variety of clients across Spain — if this sounds like you, you’re in good company:
Expats and long-term visitors
Relocating can be overwhelming. We help newcomers avoid language barriers and bureaucracy, making registration smooth and straightforward.
Residents buying foreign vehicles
Got a car that’s already on foreign plates? We'll handle the full conversion to Spanish registration so you’re legally covered.
People relocating with their own car
Moving to Spain? Let us handle the paperwork and technical testing while you focus on settling in.
Seasonal homeowners with non-Spanish plates
Spend part of the year here? We’ll register your vehicle properly so you can drive worry-free during your stay
Businesses and Dealerships
For trade clients, we offer reliable technical and paperwork support so you can prepare vehicles for resale without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Registering a Vehicle in Spain
Answers to the most common questions our clients ask — explained by our team in plain language.
Absolutely. We help clients source suitable vehicles that are compatible with Spanish registration. You can either browse current listings or tell us what you’re looking for — and we'll take care of the res
You do not need to be a legal resident of Spain to register a vehicle here, but you do need to prove a Spanish address. That means you’ll need something like:
- A rental contract, property deed, or
- A padrón certificate (empadronamiento) from your local town hall
You’ll also need a valid ID (passport or NIE) and a Spanish tax number (NIE). So even if you're not officially “resident,” as long as you can show you live here — even part-time — you’re good to go.
We’ll guide you step by step, but typically you’ll need:
- Your NIE or passport
- Proof of address (like a padrón or rental contract)
- Vehicle registration documents
- Certificate of Conformity or ficha técnica reducida
- Purchase invoice
Don’t worry — we’ll help gather and check every piece before anything is submitted.
Yes — the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is often required to confirm your vehicle’s technical specs for Spanish registration. If your car doesn’t already have one, there’s no need to chase the manufacturer or get stuck in admin delays — you can order it directly here from our online store.
We work with accredited providers and deliver digital CoCs within one business day in most cases. Just place your order online and we’ll handle the rest — fast, simple, and fully compatible with the registration process.
Yes, you can — but depending on the make and model, adjustments like headlight alignment may be needed. We’ll inspect and advise before ITV, so you’re not caught off guard.
We aim to have everything completed within 3 weeks after the ITV — but if holidays or August are involved, it might take a little longer. The key is preparation, and that’s where we shine.
Yes, you do — especially if you're living here. Spanish law requires residents to register their vehicle locally and drive with Spanish plates. It's not just paperwork... it’s peace of mind. Avoid fines, confusion, or worse — let us take care of it properly from the start.
If you're visiting temporarily, you can drive up to 6 months per year. But if you're living in Spain — whether full-time or part-time — you've got a short window (around 30 days) before you’re expected to register the vehicle here. The sooner you act, the easier it is.
Once your car passes ITV and enters the Spanish database, you’ll receive documentation that lets you start getting insurance quotes and preparing to drive legally. Full permission comes once plates and stickers are assigned — and we’ll get them into your hands as fast as possible.
Ready to Make It Easy?
You don’t need to learn the system or speak fluent Spanish — you just need the right person on your side. We’ll handle the paperwork, the inspections, and the process, with honesty and care every step of the way.
Contact us today for your free quote and let’s get you road-ready.
AB-Motors — Registration done properly, with a personal touch.