Car registration and costs?
Jul 13th 2010, 9:51 am
#16
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Location: Granada Costa
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Re: Car registration and costs?
It is paid on all new cars but it isn't so obvious as it is in the "on the road" price quoted in the price lists.
If you import a car then you have to pay the same tax but it is more obvious.
The tax is in bands depending on the CO2 emissions and is zero in the lowest band and 14.75% in the top band.
On used cars the tax is based on the current value as determined by the tax office.
The same tax also applies to other methods of transport such as boats and planes.
Last edited by Fred James; Jul 13th 2010 at 9:59 am.
Jul 13th 2010, 10:18 am
#17
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Re: Car registration and costs?
It's not an import tax, it is a registration tax. Unfortunately it always seems to get called an "import" tax which is quite incorrect but as it is a tax you pay when you import a car you can see where the confusion arises!
It is paid on all new cars but it isn't so obvious as it is in the "on the road" price quoted in the price lists.
If you import a car then you have to pay the same tax but it is more obvious.
The tax is in bands depending on the CO2 emissions and is zero in the lowest band and 14.75% in the top band.
On used cars the tax is based on the current value as determined by the tax office.
The same tax also applies to other methods of transport such as boats and planes.
It is paid on all new cars but it isn't so obvious as it is in the "on the road" price quoted in the price lists.
If you import a car then you have to pay the same tax but it is more obvious.
The tax is in bands depending on the CO2 emissions and is zero in the lowest band and 14.75% in the top band.
On used cars the tax is based on the current value as determined by the tax office.
The same tax also applies to other methods of transport such as boats and planes.
So, register for residency after 3 months, if staying longer than 6 months in any tax year (Jan - Dec) then best to pay up to 60 days after becoming resident?
Jul 13th 2010, 10:41 am
#18
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,902
Re: Car registration and costs?
...and if you pay within 60 days of becoming resident you don't have to pay it or is it 60 days of entering the country?
So, register for residency after 3 months, if staying longer than 6 months in any tax year (Jan - Dec) then best to pay up to 60 days after becoming resident?
So, register for residency after 3 months, if staying longer than 6 months in any tax year (Jan - Dec) then best to pay up to 60 days after becoming resident?
From the point of view of avoiding this tax the currently accepted procedure seems to be that the 60 days applies from the date you sign onto the local padron register at your town hall. To do this you previously need to have signed onto the new register of foreigners with the police and produce that certificate at the town hall with proof of actually living in that locality (escritura/rental contract etc).
Once you have done this I believe the clock starts ticking and you then apply to the British Consulate for a certificate of permanent transfer of residency (baja consular).
Being Spain, these rules seem to be interpreted differently depending on the locality and the time of the month!
Jul 13th 2010, 12:32 pm
#19
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Re: Car registration and costs?
I've not seen Searle's book but the International Agreement that each of the signatories has passed laws to adopt actually says "6 months in any 12 month period" (I have emphasised in bold type). So either there is an error in Spanish law in that it is at odds with all the other signatories, or Searle has misinterpreted.
Jul 13th 2010, 2:23 pm
#20
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Re: Car registration and costs?
I've not seen Searle's book but the International Agreement that each of the signatories has passed laws to adopt actually says "6 months in any 12 month period" (I have emphasised in bold type). So either there is an error in Spanish law in that it is at odds with all the other signatories, or Searle has misinterpreted.
He may have misinterpreted it but his info comes from a team of Spanish lawyers that are the real experts in compiling the book - although, that said, it still has some errors in it..
It's really pretty academic as it only applies to non residents and the police never seem to bother about them at all - but then they don't seem to bother about residents either judging by how few get caught compared to the huge number of resident owned foreign cars around.
Last edited by Fred James; Jul 13th 2010 at 2:39 pm.
Jul 13th 2010, 3:16 pm
#21
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Re: Car registration and costs?
It's really pretty academic as it only applies to non residents and the police never seem to bother about them at all - but then they don't seem to bother about residents either judging by how few get caught compared to the huge number of resident owned foreign cars around.
Jul 13th 2010, 3:20 pm
#22
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Re: Car registration and costs?
He specifically talks about a calendar year.
He may have misinterpreted it but his info comes from a team of Spanish lawyers that are the real experts in compiling the book - although, that said, it still has some errors in it..
It's really pretty academic as it only applies to non residents and the police never seem to bother about them at all - but then they don't seem to bother about residents either judging by how few get caught compared to the huge number of resident owned foreign cars around.
He may have misinterpreted it but his info comes from a team of Spanish lawyers that are the real experts in compiling the book - although, that said, it still has some errors in it..
It's really pretty academic as it only applies to non residents and the police never seem to bother about them at all - but then they don't seem to bother about residents either judging by how few get caught compared to the huge number of resident owned foreign cars around.
Jul 13th 2010, 3:35 pm
#23
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Re: Car registration and costs?
I don't think any concensus has been reached here apart from a general feeling that the best thing to do is replate your car in Spain (or buy a Spanish car) and get Spanish insurance.
Anything else involves a risk that your insurance may not be as watertight as you thought and that usually only comes to light in the event of a claim.
Jul 14th 2010, 5:24 pm
#24
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Re: Car registration and costs?
As I said, the six months ownership rule ONLY applies when you import a car as part of your personal possessions at the time you become resident.
If you have been resident for 5 years this clearly does not apply and you can bring in any car you like whether or not you have previously owned it but you will have to pay all the normal taxes and costs of registration and the process must start immediately.
Loads of people who are resident buy used cars from dealers in Germany and bring them into Spain and (allegedly) still save money compared to buying in Spain.
If you have been resident for 5 years this clearly does not apply and you can bring in any car you like whether or not you have previously owned it but you will have to pay all the normal taxes and costs of registration and the process must start immediately.
Loads of people who are resident buy used cars from dealers in Germany and bring them into Spain and (allegedly) still save money compared to buying in Spain.
So, there's no way to have the car in the country for 6 months, take it out for 6 months, then return with it?
...and the registration tax is approx. (I understand it deoend son the engine size and age of car)?
Anything else involves a risk that your insurance may not be as watertight as you thought and that usually only comes to light in the event of a claim.
Jul 14th 2010, 5:56 pm
#25
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Re: Car registration and costs?
So, if you have been resident 5 years, and you then bring a car over, you have to pay the registration tax?
So, there's no way to have the car in the country for 6 months, take it out for 6 months, then return with it?
...and the registration tax is approx. (I understand it deoend son the engine size and age of car)?
If you tell the insurer at the time and they insure you then they have some legal responsibility too unless you can see anything in the small print.
So, there's no way to have the car in the country for 6 months, take it out for 6 months, then return with it?
...and the registration tax is approx. (I understand it deoend son the engine size and age of car)?
If you tell the insurer at the time and they insure you then they have some legal responsibility too unless you can see anything in the small print.
Jul 14th 2010, 6:19 pm
#26
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Re: Car registration and costs?
That's correct, the International Agreement refers to the vehicle being imported "by a person resident abroad" and also it prohibits the vehicle being driven by anyone else other than that person, so if you live in Spain already you can't move it in and out of the Country every 6 months.
Oct 5th 2010, 6:11 pm
#28
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Re: Car registration and costs?
These days it is almost impossible to define when you achieve this magical state of "residency" - apart from tax residency which is very clearly defined.
From the point of view of avoiding this tax the currently accepted procedure seems to be that the 60 days applies from the date you sign onto the local padron register at your town hall. To do this you previously need to have signed onto the new register of foreigners with the police and produce that certificate at the town hall with proof of actually living in that locality (escritura/rental contract etc).
Once you have done this I believe the clock starts ticking and you then apply to the British Consulate for a certificate of permanent transfer of residency (baja consular).
Being Spain, these rules seem to be interpreted differently depending on the locality and the time of the month!
From the point of view of avoiding this tax the currently accepted procedure seems to be that the 60 days applies from the date you sign onto the local padron register at your town hall. To do this you previously need to have signed onto the new register of foreigners with the police and produce that certificate at the town hall with proof of actually living in that locality (escritura/rental contract etc).
Once you have done this I believe the clock starts ticking and you then apply to the British Consulate for a certificate of permanent transfer of residency (baja consular).
Being Spain, these rules seem to be interpreted differently depending on the locality and the time of the month!
Where does the 60 days come into it all?
If you have to register as a foreigner with the police within 90 days but you are allowed your car for 6 months, are you saying you have to register as a resident 60 days after signing on as a foreigner?
I thought the import/registration tax only applied separately, ie after 6 months it mus be paid...nothing to do with foreigner registration or residency.
Oct 5th 2010, 8:45 pm
#29
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Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,902
Re: Car registration and costs?
Err..just rereading this.
Where does the 60 days come into it all?
If you have to register as a foreigner with the police within 90 days but you are allowed your car for 6 months, are you saying you have to register as a resident 60 days after signing on as a foreigner?
I thought the import/registration tax only applied separately, ie after 6 months it mus be paid...nothing to do with foreigner registration or residency.
Where does the 60 days come into it all?
If you have to register as a foreigner with the police within 90 days but you are allowed your car for 6 months, are you saying you have to register as a resident 60 days after signing on as a foreigner?
I thought the import/registration tax only applied separately, ie after 6 months it mus be paid...nothing to do with foreigner registration or residency.
The reason that you are allowed to avoid this tax is that your car can be considered a part of your belongings being brought to Spain as part of your permanent relocation and, as such, is free of all taxes.
Oct 5th 2010, 8:56 pm
#30
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Re: Car registration and costs?
If you wish to avoid paying the matriculation tax (often incorrectly referred to as an import tax) you can do this if you start the re-registration procedure within 60 days of becoming resident and obtain the necessary documentation from the British embassy to prove that you are no longer resident in the UK and have moved permanently to Spain.
The reason that you are allowed to avoid this tax is that your car can be considered a part of your belongings being brought to Spain as part of your permanent relocation and, as such, is free of all taxes.
The reason that you are allowed to avoid this tax is that your car can be considered a part of your belongings being brought to Spain as part of your permanent relocation and, as such, is free of all taxes.
I have to register with the police asap and definitely within 90 days.
The car can stay in the country for 6 months.
I only become resident after 185 days.
I have 60 days after this 185 days to pay the matriculation.