Registering a German car in Spain is a relatively straightforward process. As the car is EU conformity, everything is pretty much in place to enable registering a German car in Spain without too many problems. Everything on the car is geared on the correct side, the fog light, the reverse lights, the headlights, are all on the same side of the car as they are in Spain.
This enables the ITV test to be relatively simple as not many changes need to happen to enable the car to take it is ITV test. There are certain things that need to be checked such as the tires, any modifications, that the car is EU conformity on the vehicle registration document, tints on the windows, tow bars, side steps, and that the VIN number corresponds on the car to the paperwork.
To get started you need a Ficha Technica, this document is necessary along with the vehicle registration document to have an ITV test. You need a qualified technician to perform and issue a Ficha Technica before you can start the process of matriculating your German vehicle onto Spanish number plates.
Once the Ficha Technica has being issued you then need to book a test at the ITV center. The test is run by the Spanish government and qualified technicians check your car for several specified checks. Mainly the usual, indicators, hazards, reverse and fog light, headlights, brakes, suspension, that the car is not stolen, and the emissions.
Hopefully, the car passes the ITV and then the process of registering a German car in Spain can begin. This is where the red tape starts, taxes must be paid, road tax must be paid, the DGT need to be informed correctly, emission taxes need to be paid, and all the relevant bodies need to be informed so you do not get any unwelcome surprises later.
When you are registering a German car in Spain it is advisable to use a company such as vehicle registrations Costa del Sol to do the whole process for you. There are so many potential pitfalls using a specialist is paramount. This ensures that you matriculate your German car without any problems and in a quick and efficient way. It is entirely possible to do the matriculation yourself, however, if you have no experience dealing with the Spanish system including the DGT, the ITV, paying the road tax, receiving the proper paperwork, getting the physical number plates, and fitting the plates onto the car then again it is advisable to use an expert.
Germany and Spain are vastly different with processes and the efficiency of those processes. In Spain there is a lot more paperwork, tedious systems, and many different government bodies to contact to make sure registering a German car in Spain is done properly.
Once the matriculation unto Spanish place has been issued you then need to insure the vehicle with a Spanish insurance company as your car will now be classed as a permanent import into Spain. You will need to notify the Autozulassungsstelle that you have permanently imported the car into to Spain. And that is basically it, your German vehicle is now fully legal to drive in Spain alleviating any attention from the police.
The one other thing that needs checking is the load on your tires, German load bearings are different to Spain and what is accepted in Germany is often not legal in Spain. Please refer to an expert to check if the load bearing on the tires is legal for driving on Spanish roads. Lists can be provided of the appropriate minimum load bearings so that the German vehicle does not fail the ITV.
