Owning a car in Spain — what to keep in order

What you must carry — and what you mustn't

For a Spanish-registered passenger car. Check this before your first drive.

Must have in the car

An approved connected V16 warning beacon. Compulsory since 1 January 2026 — it is now the only legal way to signal a stopped car. An older, unconnected beacon is not sufficient, and warning triangles no longer count.
An approved high-visibility vest, within easy reach from the driver's seat (door pocket or glovebox, not the boot). Put it on before you step out of the car on a road outside town after a breakdown or accident.
A spare wheel and the tools to change it — or an accepted alternative, such as a suitable puncture-repair kit.
Documents: your valid driving licence, the registration certificate (permiso de circulación) and the ITV documentation — on paper or in the official miDGT app. The insurance policy and payment receipt do not have to be carried in the car.

Not allowed

Radar detectors and radar jammers — both are banned and heavily fined, with points. Apps that warn of fixed speed cameras are legal.
A handheld mobile phone or headphones while driving.

Visiting on foreign plates? Foreign-registered vehicles in international traffic have an exception that allows warning triangles instead of the V16. Once the car is registered in Spain, the rules above apply in full. DGT on the V16 · compulsory vehicle equipment · DGT documentation checklist

Your driving licence

There's a clock on this one — and it depends on where your licence is from.

EU / EEA licences

Generally valid in Spain as they are, no exchange needed while they're current. The main catch: if yours has indefinite validity (or a very long one), you must swap it for a Spanish licence within two years of becoming resident. You can also choose to exchange it any time — many do, for a card with a Spanish address.

UK and other non-EU licences

Once you're resident you can drive on a non-EU licence for six months. After that you must exchange it — which is only possible if your country has an agreement with Spain. The UK does, so UK residents can drive on their UK licence for six months while the exchange is processed. After that you may not drive on it in Spain — so apply early, while the licence is still valid.

A gestor can handle the exchange for you. Confirm the current conditions and documents on the DGT's own site before you start.

Buying and registering the car

As a foreign buyer, have your identification, NIE, address details and the purchase contract or dealer's invoice ready.

When buying a used car, check its status with the DGT before paying. A vehicle report helps you identify administrative restrictions or outstanding finance that could affect the transfer.

The buyer must complete the change of ownership with the DGT within 30 days of signing the purchase contract. Any applicable transfer tax must also be settled or its exemption documented. A gestor can handle the paperwork for you.

DGT guidance on buying a used vehicle

Insurance and annual vehicle tax

You need at least compulsory third-party liability insurance before driving. Check whether your policy also includes roadside assistance, which drivers are covered and any restrictions on use.

The annual municipal vehicle tax is called IVTM, often referred to as impuesto de circulación. Keep the vehicle's registered address up to date so the tax is linked to the correct municipality.

DGT information on insurance · DGT information on IVTM

ITV — your vehicle inspection

For an ordinary private passenger car, the first periodic ITV is normally due at four years. Inspections are then every two years until the car is over ten years old, when they become annual. Other vehicle categories can have different schedules.

A booked appointment does not allow you to drive with an expired ITV. If it has expired, arrange authorised transport to the inspection station.

Official ITV inspection intervals

Leaving the car here while you are away

Do not assume that parking the car means you can cancel its insurance or let the ITV expire.

If it will be unused for a long period, ask about baja temporal, temporary deregistration. A temporarily deregistered vehicle must be kept off public roads and cannot be driven until it has been reactivated and meets the requirements for use.

DGT guidance on temporary deregistration

Rules to remember when driving

Seat belts are compulsory, and you must comply with Spain's alcohol limits.

Children measuring 135 cm or less need an appropriate child restraint and must normally travel in the rear seats.

Spanish traffic regulations · DGT guidance on children in cars

When something goes wrong

An accident

If everyone's safe, fill in the parte amistoso (the joint accident report both drivers sign) and send it to your insurer — it's the standard way claims are settled here. If anyone's hurt, call 112 first.

A breakdown

Put on your vest, switch on the V16 beacon, get to safety behind the barrier if there is one, then call your insurer's roadside assistance line — have your name, policy number, registration and exact location ready.

Emergencies

112 covers ambulance, police and fire from one number, and you can ask for English.

Tolls & parking — one tip. The AP-7 toll motorway is worth paying for when time matters. A Bip&Drive tag (Via-T) on the windscreen lets you drive through the toll lanes without stopping — on motorways across Spain, France and Portugal — and opens the barrier in many car parks too, with one monthly invoice. Their free app also pays for blue- and green-zone street parking from your phone, so you're not hunting for coins or a local app in each town. bipdrive.com →

In town centres the blue zone (zona azul) is paid, time-limited street parking; rules vary by town, and when in doubt a car park is the safe bet.

Bringing your own car when you move

A holiday visit and a permanent move have different registration requirements. If you establish residence in Spain and bring your EU-registered car with you, it will need Spanish registration. Plan the inspection, documentation and applicable taxes before the move.

DGT guidance on registering a vehicle from the EU

Owning a car in Spain what you need to keep in order