Cars

The maximum time you can keep a UK regged car in Spain under any circumstance is 6 months in any 12.

You cannot stay in Spain for a year, the maximum is 90 days in any 180.

If you stay longer than 90 days then you must apply for residency and after 180 days you automatically become tax resident. 

If you do become resident then from that moment on you will not be permitted to drive a UK regged car at all unless it's to an ITV station for a test prior to putting it on Spanish plates.

Sounds to me like you need to learn a bit more about the rules in Spain and replan your proposed visit accordingly.

Thank you for this info. I’m trying to get my head around all the bureaucracy - it’s getting the sequence sorted out. 

After 90 days when I apply for residency and re-register the car would there be import tax to pay?

Hi Anne21

Have you read Jim’s guides? At the top of this page, on the blue banner. Everything you need to know about living in Spain.

As Movingon suggests, perhaps a bit more research is in order. Whatever sequence you choose to follow, again, as he states, you cannot stay more than 90 days without applying for residencia.

Perhaps you need to consider coming, in your car, for up to 90 days and formulating a plan.🤪🥂

I have indeed read many of Jim’s guides which are truly comprehensive.  I’m probably just trying to get quick replies to simple questions to make it easy for me.  Must be very annoying - sorry!

Hi Anne21

It’s not annoying so no need to apologies. I would say worrying. Having read your posts, without wishing to be rude, you appear to be a bit haphazard in your approach to what, potentially, will be a life changing event

I have been researching living permanently in Spain (I already have a second home) for over a year, ensuring that I understand the implications of doing so.

You have expressed surprise at many of the answers to your questions. I would respectfully suggest that you research until there are no surprises. The questions you ask are legitimate. “Quick replies to simple questions” (and some of them are not simple) is not what you need right now.

I would again suggest reading Jim’s guides. In my opinion there is everything and more you need to know about legally living in Spain. 

This is a major decision, particularly as you state you will be selling your U.K. home. You need to understand that, depending on when you sell and buy, you may well be liable for CGT in Spain. Ensure that you enter into it fully informed. Good luck 🤪🥂

Thank you Ray - that is extremely helpful!

There is no import tax, that would be illegal under EU rules for free movement of goods. 

What there is is a registration tax which is based on the value of the car but is avoidable if you have owned it abroad for at least 6 months and you make the switch to Spanish plates within 60 days of importing it.

The cynical might conclude that if it looks like a tax, works like a tax, and costs like a tax, then in all probability it IS a tax, just by another name!

Excellent - thank you!

There certainly can be import tax if you don't time it correctly. 

If you try to change to Spanish plates more than six months after you sign on the padrón, then import tax will definitely be applicable.