If you spend only part of your time in Spain but don’t officially reside in the country, what are the rules regarding vehicle ownership? Can second home owners buy a car for the time they spend in Spain?
Depending on where you have your home in Spain, getting a car might be necessary or not at all. Towns and cities across the country usually have an excellent transport network, and many neighbourhoods are often tightly knit, well-serviced areas where you can find most of what you need within walking distance.
But if you live in a more rural setting or want the comfort of a car for weekend getaways and more, having your own vehicle might be what you need for life in Spain.
So what happens if you’re a second-home owner who is a non-resident in Spain? Is vehicle ownership possible?
Yes, it is.
Generally speaking, foreign nationals can buy a car registered in Spain without being legal residents, provided they can accredit a Spanish address (domicilio). The address is necessary so the local council can levy municipal road tax (IVTM) and authorities can deliver traffic notifications.
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There are different opinions in both Spanish and English-language sources over how this must be proven. Some incorrectly say it’s necessary to have a green residency document if you’re an EU national and a TIE card if you’re a non-EU national, while others mistakenly claim an NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) on its own is enough.
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According to Spain’s General Directorate of Traffic’s vehicle rules (El Reglamento General de Vehículos), a foreign non-resident can register a vehicle by providing proof of identity (such as a passport) along with their NIE, plus one of the following to prove their Spanish address:
- The title deeds to prove they own a property in Spain
- A rental contract for a property in Spain
- A municipal registration certificate (certificado de empadronamiento)
That means that if you’re not officially a resident with a Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión green document or a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), but you own a property or you rent one long-term, you can buy a Spain-registered vehicle using your deeds or lease. If you own or rent a home in Spain, you will already need an NIE number, which serves as your necessary tax and administrative identification.
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Obviously, non-resident non-EU nationals have to factor in Schengen immigration rules when buying a car, as they cannot spend more than 90 days in any rolling 180-day window in Spain without a visa. Because of this, it may be more practical to simply rent a car for the maximum 90-day periods they can spend in the country.
Due to the EU’s freedom of movement, this stay limit does not apply to EU nationals.
However, all nationalities must be mindful of the separate 183-day rule, which dictates that anyone spending more than 183 days a year in Spain automatically becomes a tax resident.
The Local Spain called up two car showrooms to confirm whether it was possible to buy a car without being a resident, and both confirmed that it is possible if the buyer is renting or owns a property in Spain.
It’s also worth noting that it may be harder to access financing for your vehicle if you’re not a resident in Spain, as you’ll have to provide proof of income, a pension, or other financial assets, and you’ll have to meet the standards of the Spanish financing entity with your foreign documentation.
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