Importing a car from Germany to the Canary Islands: steps, taxes and registration

In short: you choose and inspect the car in Germany, it travels by road to mainland Spain and by ferry to the Canary Islands, a customs entry declaration is filed and IGIC is paid, and then it passes the ITV inspection and is registered with the DGT. Because the Canary Islands are outside the VAT area, the car is treated as an import even if it comes from another EU country.

1. Choosing the car and checking it before you pay

The German market is huge and it's easy to find the model you want. The risk is buying without seeing it: mileage, repaired damage, service history or debts on the vehicle. Before paying, someone you trust should inspect it in person.

At WilliCar we inspect it in the country of origin: a check of internal and external components, diagnostics, a paint test and a full report. You pay the seller directly; we never handle your money.

2. Documents you need from the seller

Invoice or purchase contract.
German registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II).
European certificate of conformity (COC), if available: it makes the ITV much easier.
Service history, if there is one.

3. Transport to the Canary Islands

The car travels by road to a port on the mainland and crosses by ferry to the island. From Huelva there are sailings to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife; the public-service line with the mainland also connects with Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma.

See how transport from Europe works

4. The customs declaration and IGIC

When it enters the Canary Islands, the car is declared at customs through VEXCAN, the Canary Islands' single window. IGIC, the Canary tax that replaces VAT, is paid with that declaration. No customs duties apply, because the car comes from the European Union.

The IGIC rate and, where applicable, the special tax on certain means of transport depend on the vehicle (power, emissions, new or used). Before you buy, we guide you on what applies to your case so there are no surprises in the total cost.

5. Import ITV and registration

Once customs is sorted, the car passes the import ITV inspection. With a COC the process is simpler; without one, a reduced technical data sheet is needed. Then the fees are paid and the car is registered with the DGT, and you can fit Spanish plates.

6. How long does it all take?

It depends on the car's availability, the next sailing and the ITV and DGT appointments. We give you an estimate once we know which car it is and which island it's going to.

If you're registering it on the mainland

On the mainland there are no customs: the car passes the import ITV, the applicable taxes are paid and it is registered with the DGT. It's simpler than in the Canary Islands.

See cars available to import

Sources checked on 25/10/2026:

Agencia Tributaria: introducción de un vehículo en Canarias