Driving a UK registered car

[TrickyFox]

Can anyone confirm that the rules for driving a non-Spanish registered car have changed? I understand that if you are a resident you must register a car within 30 days but that if you are non-resident you can drive a car in Spain for 6 months in any one year. On another forum it has been stated that this has changed and that it is the same (30 days/one month) for residents and non-residents alike. Someone has also said that the one month rule applies to 4WD vehicles irrespective of residential status.

[Sam]

As an EU nationals with a second home in Spain (that you use for no more than 6 months a year), you do not need to register your vehicles here.

That's at least according to Europa.eu.

[TrickyFox]

"Regarding driving as a non resident it is 6 months as long as you don’t have an NIE. If you have an NIE you’re not allowed to drive past the one month mark from the date of issue of your NIE. That I know because I got caught ........ I got it double checked with tráfico" This from a friend of mine who has been on the island for 3-4 years. Actually this doesn't really make any sense as you need NIE to buy a property which you can stay in for 6 months.
I was asking for a friend on this forum who has just returned to the UK after a 6 month stay. I guess it all depends if you are stopped at the end of the day. Since he actually has his residencia, not just NIE, he may be scuppered.

[Sam]

It looks like a catch 22. From all the information I've read this morning:

If you have moved to Fuerteventura with the intention of becoming a permanent resident on the island, you must register your vehicle within one month. So if you own a property, have children in school, own a business, have a NIE, are employed in Fuerteventura, or are registered on the padron, you will be considered to be resident here and not a tourist.

Wasn't able to find any confirmation on the official websites but have read many stories about people being heavily done and had to pay VAT on the vehicles. Not sure if I would risk it.

Also: if you bring a car on UK plates, your foreign friends can drive it too, as long as they are considered to be tourists. No resident will be able to drive it after the initial 30 days.

[windermeregolfer]

If what you say is true there is a conflict with the residencia rule as that says 90 day in any one 12 month period, so you would never be able to have your car there for the 183 days! And you have to have an NIE to get residencia.

I think it is to do with living / working on a permanent basis and intending to keeping the car there with no plans to return to the UK within the 183 days.

[Sam]

There's also a conflict with the aforementioned link (europa.eu) too, John. It clearly states that you can bring a car to any EU country for a six month period. And to Spain if you're not planning to become a resident.

In my case - Living in the UK, not moving to Fuerteventura anytime soon - they would consider me as a resident because I own a property here (in Fuerteventura). But I won't get any travel discount because I'm not a resident.

Your case is a bit complicated - You have a Residencia in Fuerteventura but are spending more than 183 days a year in Britain so officially (tax purposes) you're a resident in the UK. But Spanish officials can say that you have your residency on the island and it could take many sleepless nights to get things sorted out - read: to get your darling car back. It could be worth to contact British embassy in GC and explain your situation.

Just a thought: what's the situation the other way round? Having the car registered in Spain and take it back to the UK? Will you be able to keep the car for six months on foreign number plates if you are a resident in the UK? 🤔

[Will]

Don't forget you need insurance and road tests for the car.

Don't assume because the insurance company sells you insurance it's valid. They'll happily take your Money.

[windermeregolfer]

I will look into this further with someone I know, however at the present moment in time we do not intend to live on Fuerteventura, just spend up to the 183 days a year there.  We got our Residencia to comply with the 90 day in any 12 month rule and as I mentioned earlier the 1 month rule re the car if you are a resident appears to be in conflict with the Residencia rule, it could be that the one month rule applies to fiscal residents living there permanently or working there.


In relation to car insurance there appear to be only 2 companies that offer 180day or more continuous abroad cover, they are SAGA & LV, we are with SAGA where it is unlimited and they provide the equivalent of a green card as part of your insurance certificate. My vehicle is only 13 months old so does not need an MOT or ITV test yet and as we no longer have tax discs I keep a copy of the DVLA road tax payment confirmation in the car with copies of all the other paper work incase I ever got stopped by the Police on the island.

[TrickyFox]

Sorry to stir this up JT - was only thinking of you!!

[TrickyFox]

In my case - Living in the UK, not moving to Fuerteventura anytime soon - they would consider me as a resident because I own a property here (in Fuerteventura). But I won't get any travel discount because I'm not a resident.

I can't see how they can consider you a resident just because you own a property here - that's why they have non-resident taxes surely?
I've heard of people getting a travel discount without having a residencia.