Thread: can I own a car in spain if I dont live there

As some of you may remember I used to live in Spain and hope one day to return. I am fortunate to have a family member with a property out there.We visit at least twice a year as does my brother in law my mother in law also visits several times a year and we all need car hire for the periods we are there. I am considering buying a spanish vehicle.leaving it there and insuring it for all of us. Does anyone have any advice regarding the legalities, pitfalls etc. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers Charlie

I think you have to have an address where the car would be registered to and the owner has to be on that town's padron. Best idea would be to get your relative to buy the car, register it in their name and address and insure it for any driver.

Originally Posted by dunmovin

I think you have to have an address where the car would be registered to and the owner has to be on that town's padron. Best idea would be to get your relative to buy the car, register it in their name and address and insure it for any driver.

I don't think you have to be on the Padron to buy a car, my first LHD car was imported and matriculated in Spain, before I registered on the Padron, however it could vary from region to region.

My late husband bought 2 cars here, he was not on the padron when he bought either of them. As you say cadiar like most things here it varies from area to area. Other than that I cannot tell anything about it sorry.

Thanks to all who responded. The relative who owns the property doesnt live in Spain either, does that complicate things more? It can be kept on the property but I would need to secure it as there are longish periods(ie winter) when no one is there. Probably get one of those"denver boots" and a cover, although that will probably attract attention. Any further thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Charlie

Originally Posted by charlieshanahan

Thanks to all who responded. The relative who owns the property doesnt live in Spain either, does that complicate things more? It can be kept on the property but I would need to secure it as there are longish periods(ie winter) when no one is there. Probably get one of those"denver boots" and a cover, although that will probably attract attention. Any further thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Charlie

It doesn't matter as long as they have got an NIE which they will have if they own property. Unless you want hassle you would still have to insure and tax it for the full year, you can declare it off road if it is going to be left for long periods of time, but this involves the Trafico coming and taping the car until you tell them you are going to use it again, alot of red tape and bother.

..I think it´s just about buying the car and have all the paperwork done with the DGT(The driving authority here, dgt.es), and then i think it´s up to the guy in the counter if he asks you for the padron or not, sometimes they did to me, sometimes they didn´t, , you´ll need at least the NIE