Vehicle Registration in Mallorca – Import & Plate Change

If you bring a car from another European country to Spain, you must complete a full registration process (matriculación) in order to change your foreign plates to Spanish ones.
This is not just a simple plate change — it is a full import and registration of the vehicle in Spain, where your car is officially entered into the Spanish system and assigned new Spanish documents and license plates.

What does this process involve?
Registering a foreign vehicle in Spain is a multi-step procedure that involves several authorities and strict requirements.
The process usually includes:

• verification of all vehicle documents
• a special technical inspection (ITV) for imported vehicles
• calculation and payment of registration taxes based on emissions
• procedures with the Spanish tax office and local authorities
• registration with the Spanish traffic authority (DGT)
• obtaining Spanish registration documents and license plates

Important to know!
One of the main challenges is the ITV inspection for imported vehicles.
This is not a standard inspection. Waiting times for this specific appointment can take several months, making it the longest and most unpredictable part of the process.
Planning ahead is essential.

How we can help?
Vehicle import and registration in Spain is a structured process where every step depends on the previous one. Mistakes can lead to significant delays. We manage the process from start to finish:

• analysing your specific case (vehicle, country, documents)
• identifying all requirements in advance
• preparing and checking all documentation
• coordinating ITV, tax procedures and DGT registration
• booking all necessary appointments
• supporting you at each stage, including the appointment day if needed

We ensure the process runs smoothly and help you avoid delays, unnecessary costs and repeated appointments.

How long does it take?
The process can take several months depending on your case and the availability of appointments.
In many cases, you should expect the process to take up to 6 months, mainly due to waiting times for the ITV inspection for imported vehicles, which can be significantly delayed.