olivia

We intend to retire to Spain for a while. We have a home there and will become resident there with a holiday home in the U.K.
Can we buy a new LHD from a dealer here in the U.K. [I have asked and they can order us one] Can we do the paperwork, register it and pay the taxes from the U.K? for it to be first registered in Spain? We want a V.W. California.

Mitzyboy

Well, firstly I would caution you on the choice of vehicle if you are buying in the UK. Motorhomes and commercial van like vehicles have suffered problems here. Commercial vehicles cant be imported. Mobile homes in the most part need a certificate of European Conformity.

Any car bought in the UK, you must own for 6 months, and when you bring it to spain you must start matriculation within 30 days of residency. Dont start it until you move to spain, and employ a gestoria who will know the tricks of the trade.

There are companies in the UK that specialisde in LHD cars, as I was looking before we moved, but I never saw any new vehicles, always secondhand. Also, as I mentioned elsewhere, there is the option of Germany for a LHD, especialy as its a VW you are looking for

There is no such thing as import tax in Spain. They aren't allowed to call it that! So if you have owned the vehicle for 5 months personally, and you start matriculation as soon as you take residency, you wont have to pay it anyway. Its called the import registration fee. As I mentioned elsewhere a gestor will cost you between €6-€900.

Theres a lot of motorhome sales in Spain, but they aint cheap!