1. Before shipping the car: ownership and deregistration
According to the DGT, you must be the owner of the vehicle and keep the purchase document: an invoice with a VAT number if you buy from a seller in another country, or a translated contract between private individuals. Before bringing it to Spain, the car must also be deregistered for export in its country of origin.
2. Entering the Canary Islands
Because the Canary Islands are outside the EU VAT area, the car is declared on arrival and IGIC is paid, even if it comes from another EU country. No customs duties apply. We explain it in more detail in our guide to importing a car from Germany to the Canary Islands.
3. ITV: the Spanish technical sheet
With the original documents, the car goes to an authorised ITV station. The DGT asks for the registration certificate from the country of origin, proof of type approval (the European certificate of conformity, COC, or a reduced technical sheet) and, if you are not the registered owner, the contract or invoice. The ITV station gives you the technical sheet in Spanish format.
4. Taxes
- Registration tax: paid once and based on CO₂ emissions. It is declared with form 576, or the exemption is justified with form 05 or 06. The Spanish Tax Agency has a specific section for vehicles registered for the first time in the Canary Islands.
- Road tax: charged every year by the town hall where you live and based on the car's power.
- If the car was already yours and you have moved, the DGT says you do not have to pay the purchase taxes.
5. Registration with the DGT
With the technical sheet and the tax receipts, you apply for registration with the DGT, online or in person, and pay the corresponding fee (type 1.1). While it is processed, you can request temporary green plates: according to the DGT they let you drive for 2 months, extendable, as long as the car is insured.
6. Plates and insurance
Once the registration number is assigned, you order the plates from an authorised shop and take out compulsory insurance in your name.
Can we do it for you?
At WilliCar we handle the import from start to finish: we find or inspect the car, bring it over and handle the paperwork. Ask us what your case includes.