Vehicle import from Europe and Germany: complete process and key checks
Germany and other European countries are one of the main sources of vehicles for Spain. Many buyers find good deals abroad and want to bring a car to Andalusia, Marbella, or Málaga.
However, between “I saw it in an ad” and “I have Spanish plates” there is a long process with various legal and technical nuances.
Main Stages of Importing a Car from Europe
1. Vehicle inspection before purchase: history, mileage, accidents, legal status, and maintenance.
2. Purchase and document management: proper contract, invoice, export plates, insurance.
3. Transportation to Spain: logistics, tow truck, trailer, or road transfer.
4. Customs and tax matters: one procedure for EU vehicles and a different one for third countries.
5. Homologation / CoC: availability of the Certificate of Conformity or preparation of a technical report.
6. ITV in Spain: technical inspection in compliance with all European standards.
7. Taxes and registration at DGT: Registration Tax, ITP/VAT, DGT fees, and obtaining the license plate.
Key Risks in Importing
- buying a vehicle with undeclared problems from the seller;
- absence of CoC or need for costly homologation;
- unexpectedly high taxes due to CO₂ emissions or vehicle age;
- impossibility of registering the car due to documentation discrepancies;
- loss of time and money due to logistical or administrative errors.
How We Handle the Turnkey Process
Our team:
- helps select and verify the vehicle in Europe before purchase;
- coordinates logistics and transportation to Spain;
- calculates all taxes before the operation, so the client knows the final “turnkey” cost;
- manages homologation, ITV, and registration at DGT;
- monitors each stage, ensuring the vehicle arrives not only physically, but also legally and technically ready to drive in Spain.