Gedder

We are shortly moving to Spain and bringing our car, the problem is we have been advised that although we have never lived permanently in Spain we will have to pay import tax on the car. The reason for this, we were advised when we bought our property to register on the Padron, can anyone advise me on how I can avoid paying import tax.

Thanks

lynnxa

ah - yes that could be a problem

one reason why you shoudn't register on the padrón unless you actually live here - apart from the fact that you actually shouldn't

who on earth told you that you should?

did you own your car for more than 6 months before you registered on the padrón?

if you did, then I believe you'll be fine & not have to pay the registration tax (it's not really import tax, although it often gets called that)

if not, you could inform the ayuntamiento that you 'no longer live in the area' since you actually don't/never did, and so come off the padrón, then wait more than 6 months to go back on it

Gedder

It was Atlas who told us we should register on the padron. I spoke to somebody at the Consulate in Alicante and she told me we should never have been on the Padron as we didn't live permanently in Spain . We are moving over in January so she has advised that when we are over on holiday in September we take ourselves off it. I'll need to find out what you say in Spanish to avoid any confusion!!!!!!!

Thank you for your reply

lynnxa

tell them 'queremos bajarnos, porque no vivimos en España más'

it does make me mad when people are told to register on the padrón when they don't live here - it can cause all sorts of problems...........

Fred James

Yes, agree entirely but you can understand the logic of the Ayuntamiento as they get more money from central government for every person on the padron.

As a result some towns have encouraged anyone to sign on.

The law is quite clear - you can only sign on the padron in the town in which you have your "habitual home". That means that you must live there for more than 6 months of the year.

Dxf

Hi

Back in 2003, most estate agents didn´t know better and thought they were doing a "better" service and helping people to put them on the padron

Davexf

lynnxa

yes, I understand why the Ayuntamientos want you to register - our town has had campaigns to get everyone to do just that - but afaik stopped short of encouraging non-residents to do so

I just don't understand why people who have nothing to gain from it are encouraging it - & worse, to register to vote when they don't live here - you can't vote in 2 countries
yes - but that's a long time ago - but it STILL happens today

Gedder

Thank you all for your replies, we thought we were doing the right thing as they explained to us it would result in extra policing etc now we are facing the repercussions of over 2000 Euros!!!! I'm in the army so there's no way I could be living in Spain, suppose I should have checked it all out. Will let you know how I get on. Cheers

EsuriJohn

Did you know that when you leave UK you can remain on the electoral roll for 15 years and vote. For poor pensioners this matters since the government only listen to those who have lots of cash or can form a significant voting block at election time. Saga Power is coming.

Also I am a firm believer in democracy and if I am going to hand over a significant part of my money to often "corrupt" politicians then I want the ability to influence how they behave.

lynnxa

yes. I had forgotten that about the voting........

however - it doesn't detract from the padrón issue - as the law stands it is illegal to be on the padrón if you spend less than 6 months a year in your property here

so for many if not most holiday home owners it is simply against the law for them to be on the padrón - & therefore to vote in Spain, too

it doesn't only apply to foreigners, either - Spanish nationals who have holiday homes can't choose where to be on the padrón & vote - it has to be at their primary address

Fred James

That is party the key to why many town halls encouraged it. Most tourist towns have a summer population many times higher than normal. Thus the facilities are out of all proportion to the need so they really do need the extra money.

In many areas the summer tourists are Spanish who have second homes but cannot be on the Padron so they encourage the foreign holiday home owners to sign on.

Michael74

The law is quite clear - you can only sign on the padron in the town in which you have your "habitual home". That means that you must live there for more than 6 months of the year.

Fred, how does this apply to people that rent here for more than 6 months?

lynnxa

I've been renting here for 8 years - it's my habitual home & I'm on the padrón, of course

it has nothing to do with home ownership

jdr

As Lynne says, it only depends on where you live not owner or renter.