We are a newly retired couple about to move to Roquetas De Mar for 9 months starting October 2019 and have an apartment lined up. I am English and my wife is American and we currently live in the USA. My question is about a car. We will be in England (Birmingham) with family for a month or so before we head to Spain. We would love to buy a car in England and take time to drive down to Spain. After the 9 months is up, drive back to England and sell the car. Who knows what we will do then, we may go back to Spain or somewhere else. Is this practical? Would we be better buying a car in Spain? We are not looking for an expensive car, second hand, something to get us around with golf clubs. Is it easy to get car insurance in Spain or should we try and get insurance in England? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Driving an english car in Spain is a hassle - driver on wrong side makes for an uncomfortable experience for the passenger. Coming from the States it will mean a "double switch" in a relatively short time span. Better to buy in Spain, there are plenty of good, reasonably priced second-hand cars around, enough to fit any budget. Also will be simpler in terms of local insurance. Another consideration is that you specify living there for nine months, as a visitor you can legally stay for three, after six months you effectively become tax-resident so at some stage in the period 3 month -6 months you will need to apply for residency and then, as a resident, I believe it is illegal to drive an english registered car in Spain.

On driving a RHD car in Spain; everyone is different and what may be a hassle to one can be a complete non issue to another.

I own and drive both and swap between them utterly seamlessly, my wife is also perfectly happy be it as driver or passenger.

The driving bit is easy, but supermarket barriers and toll booths can be a pain if you are on your own.

It's not really a problem, it just requires a little lateral thinking.

[7:15 minutes, but I recommend immediately jumping to 3:55 and watch from there.] .

Likewise, and has been for tje 10 years we have been here. In actual fact i prefer the rhd on tje campo tracks. Although as pointed out car parks can be a bit of hassle.

You could buy a LHD car in the UK and drive that to Spain. https://www.transeuropean.co.uk/

From personal experience: like-for-like the second hand cars are much cheaper in the UK than in Spain. But of course, RHD v LHD may be more important for some than the budget

To buy a car you need cash

To register that car, you need NIE and an address possibly passport (or ID of some sort) as well

They don't ask to see any drivers licence

Aah thanks snikpoh sorry to ask another daft question, I’ve heard of NIE but I don’t understand what it is?

it is your identity number ! When you register in Spain you are given a number "for life" and that appears on your documentation.

You do not need to be a permanent resident to get a NIE. It is issued by the police to all foreigners so they can carry on financial, legal affairs in Spain. Obviously it is also a fstep in obtaining residence. You can apply through the Spanish Counsulate in your country of residence or a Spanish lawyer , with a POA, can get it for you, There is an official form which you can download from the web.