Common mistakes when importing a car to Spain (and how to avoid them)

Most import problems are not bureaucratic — they are predictable mistakes that could have been avoided. Here are the ten most common, ranked by financial impact.

1 — Skipping the franquicia

The single most expensive omission. Always check eligibility before any other step. Potential loss: €800–€5,000+.

2 — Filing in the wrong order

Customs must be cleared before DGT registration. The franquicia must be approved before customs. Order matters and is unforgiving.

3 — Driving past the 30-day grace period

Fines up to €1,500 plus possible immobilisation. Start paperwork the day you register as a resident.

4 — Buying without a European COC

For US, Japanese and many UK cars, individual homologation can cost €1,500–€3,000. Worth knowing before purchase.

5 — Letting the empadronamiento expire

Valid only for 3 months. The DGT rejects expired certificates immediately.

6 — Missing the Spanish insurance step

ITV stations require a current Spanish policy. Foreign policies are not accepted.

7 — Cheap, non-sworn translations

Only sworn translators are accepted. Cheap online translations waste time and money.

8 — Wrong VIN on the customs declaration

Even a single character mismatch blocks the whole file. Triple-check.

9 — Generic gestoría without import experience

A regular gestoría handles transfers; vehicle imports require specialist knowledge of customs codes, franquicia, IEDMT and homologation.

10 — Forgetting the annual IVTM

Cheap to pay (€5–€220), expensive to forget. Unpaid IVTM blocks the next ITV.