Hi,
I saw some old threads but they are over 5 years old so I thought I would start a new one.

I am on a tourist visa here in Spain. I am often in and out. Will be on student visa starting in June.

I have a NIE and I rent a flat, but without an official contract.

I want to buy a car here and then insure it.

I believe this is fairly simple since I have the NIE, but for the insurance? I have a US driver license only.

In addition, I speak fluent German and thought about buying there, as the deals are better. Can I buy there, drive here and register it here? What are the costs associated with that? How does one legally drive from there to here? Is the re-registration very difficult?

How about importing from USA with a boat? I believe I have to pay 16% IVA plus what else? And registering a USA vehicle is different?

Thanks for ANY and ALL help, my Spanish is still not so good so hopefully some people here can answer my questions!

Regards

hey doriangray.

this is a weak area for me but i am pretty sure you will need a spanish license in order to register the car here in your name so that should be your first order of biz.

also, the only time it is worthwhile to import a card from u.s.a. would be if it had MAJOR sentimental value. buying a car there and bringing it here will prove a paperwork nightmare and it will end up costing you more than buying one here. the 16% is only the tip of the iceberg, there will be at LEAST another 5-10% import duty PLUS i believe a few thousand ($$$) to get it over here.

buying in germany is an option if the car you want is significantly cheaper there but again, with just a u.s. ddrivers licence you will not be able to "get it on the road" so to speak here (nor in germany as far as i know).

saludos,
jer...

quote:

16% is only the tip of the iceberg, there will be at LEAST another 5-10% import duty PLUS i believe a few thousand ($$$) to get

Hey Jer,

Well I have a deal worked out with a guy that is for a 1998 Saab convertible. Includes shipping to Valencia and the 16% IVA. Total price 5600 Euro. So I think that is a fantastic price, as long as I dont have any more costs - since the car is 9 years old, I think the registration tax is very little.



In addition, are you sure I need a Spanish license? I thought a NIE and International license was enough...

Do you know where I can get info about this? Anywhere you can direct me to?

By the way, will be in USA May 2-12 or so, if you need something easy to carry ferried over...

Regards.

quote:

I thought a NIE and International license was enough...

for short-term the international license is fine but i have been told that it is only valid for the first 6 months living in a country.

some have been known to just renew it every 6 months but as far as i know that is not legit (although you would probably never ger busted).

thanks for the offer to bring tuff back, will let ya know.

i am not sure if you can or cannot register a car in your name with the international license but even if you can, when the registration renewal comes up you will have lived here more than 6 mos. and that may cause problems unless you have the spanish license by then.

the site for all of this is www.dgt.es but it is only in spanish.

the page for international license is at http://www.dgt.es/tramites/conductores/internacional.htm but it is for spaniards who want an idl for driving in other countries.

i found something interesting at http://www.dgt.es/tramites/vehiculos/turistica.htm . it is about a "matrícula turística" (tourist registration).

pdf is at http://www.dgt.es/tramites/vehiculos/pdf/turistica.pdf .

see if you can get a spaniard friend to look through it if your spanish does not cut it.

saludos,
jer...

quote:

the site for all of this is www.dgt.es but it is only in spanish.

Wow...great help, reviewing it now...thank you!!!!

I've been looking into this a lot and you definitely will not be legal to drive in Spain after 6 months living here with a US or international drivers license. Now, if you could get a German or other EU drivers license, you would be legal.

I do know that after six months if you get pulled over by the cops, you can get a huge fine, have whatever car you are driving impounded, and a heap of trouble if you are driving without a Spanish license (and keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to do something wrong to get pulled over, there are frequent checkpoints here during puentes and basically anytime ETA does anything). If you are going to drive frequently, I don't think I'd chance it (and I'm a risk-taker by nature!).

Hi all,

I am going to revive this thread cause I think is the most similar to my case:
My girlfriend is coming here from USA (we are going to marry next summer ;-) ) and she is wondering if it is a good idea to take her 2 years old VW New Beattle with her. It is a leasing car but she can adquire it for about 12000 euros and ship it to Valencia for another 3000. Buying that automatic car here can be about 20000 euros. I have been heard that taking your car here for a change of residency may not be charged with taxes by law (nor IVA neither registration) but I am not sure about that... Has anybody information about that exemption of taxes? Has anybody brought a car from USA before and has advices about it? Help will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance!
Salu2,
Angel

Hi Angel!

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!!

I spoke to "the boss" last night about your situation and these are his suggestions:

1. Contact DGT and make your enquiry there. Surely someone can orient you and tell you what steps need to be taken. You will need to find out if any modifications must be made to the car to make it legal to drive in Spain (e.g. emissions, engine, etc). If it can be registered and matriculated.

2. Contact your insurance company. Find out if they would be willing to insure the car.

3. Locate an authorized mechanic for VW and find out if they would be able to repair the car should anything go wrong with it and how easily replacement parts can be obtained. Especially since it is an automatic...

4. Consider the exchange rate. What would be the best financial decision for your girlfriend given the current exchange rate? Sell the car and bring the money to Spain to buy something similiar here? Import the car and go through all the financial steps that need to be taken (taxes, importation costs, registration fees, etc).

5. She will only be legal to drive the car for her first 6 months of residency afterwhich she must take the driving exam like everyone else...despite having her own car.

Check out this page at the DGT. There is a lot of information that you would find helpful...especially the PDF about the Matrícula Turística.

Good luck with everything and let us know how it goes!

Thank you Becky!

Then I will go to Arturo Soria to ask.
Hope they have a good day, you know how are the "funcionarios" here...



Salu2,
Angel