What are the legal requirements for my car if I drive in Spain?

The legal requirements for your car depend upon whether you are a visitor or resident, and whether it is a Spanish or foreign vehicle. There are also rules about what you should carry in your car. Certain documents and equipment must be in your vehicle when you drive. Some documents must be on display in your windscreen, as stickers. Here is a guide to what you need for your car when using Spanish roads.

General requirements

If you are driving your own car instead of a hired car, it must have a sticker on it bearing your country code, unless it is a Spanish-registered vehicle. You are only permitted to drive it if you are in Spain for less than six months.

If you decide to move to Spain permanently and bring your car with you, you must re-register it with Spanish number plates within 30 days of becoming resident. You can read more about foreign vehicles in our article on how to re-register your car when moving to Spain.

Your car must be registered in the current owner's name. If you buy a car from a private individual in Spain, you must arrange to transfer it into your name and pay the fee required. If you buy it from a garage or dealership, the seller will usually do this for you.

Your car must be in good working order. If it is a Spanish car, it must have passed the necessary technical inspection (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos, or ITV).

What is an ITV test?

An ITV is needed every two years for all cars of four years old or more. Once the car is 10 years old, it will need an ITV test every year. Some cars of less than four years old may need an ITV every two years, if they were previously used for hire or as a garage courtesy car.

An ITV checks the mechanical aspects of your car, including brakes, gears, lights, wheels, and seatbelts. In some regions in Spain, emissions levels are also checked.

After passing the ITV, you will be given a sticker bearing the date your next test is due. This sticker must be affixed to the inside of your windscreen, in the top left- or right-hand corner. It should be easy to see, but not obscure the driver's view.

What insurance cover do I need for my car?

All cars driven in Spain must be insured. The minimum cover required is third party liability, or Responsabilidad Civil. This will pay for any damage you cause to other vehicles, or injuries to drivers and passengers, in an accident. Third party insurance does not have a policy excess, or minimum amount the policyholder must pay for each claim.

We recommend you hold fully-comprehensive insurance on your car. This will cover your costs, minus the agreed excess, if you damage it. If you cannot afford fully-comprehensive, we recommend at least third party, fire and theft cover.

What documents must I carry in my car?

Spanish road traffic laws stipulate that you must always carry certain documents in your car.

• Your original driving licence, which must be valid
• Your original vehicle registration document, known as a 'driving permit' (Permiso de Circulación). We recommend you take a photocopy of this to keep at home, in case your car is stolen or destroyed by fire. You may need to show it to your insurance company to be able to make a claim.

What safety equipment must I carry in my car?

Certain safety equipment must remain in your car at all times when it is in use.

• Spanish law requires you to carry two reflective red triangles, and place them in front of and behind the vehicle if it breaks down. You do not need these if you have a V-16 alert light on your vehicle.
• You must carry at least one reflective jacket for every occupant. These should not be left in the boot, as you are legally required to put them on before getting out of the car if it breaks down.

What is advisable to carry in my car?

Until 2008, drivers were legally required to keep their original insurance documents in their car, plus a bank receipt as proof the premium had been paid. This is not now necessary, as traffic police can access your insurance details on their hand-held computer devices. But we recommend you keep the original or a photocopy in your car anyway. If you have an accident, you and the other driver should exchange insurance details if possible so you can make a claim.

It is also strongly recommended that you carry:

• A fire extinguisher
• A spare wheel
• A first-aid kit
• A bulb replacement kit for your lights

All these items can be bought from garages, car dealerships, or specialist shops. Normally, when you buy a car directly from a dealership, they will be added automatically.

Low-emissions zones

Some large towns and cities in Spain have low-emissions zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones, or ZBEs) in their centres. Spanish law states that all municipalities with 50,000 or more inhabitants must have a ZBE. Currently, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia have ZBE areas in their centres.

Driving in a ZBE is not permitted unless you live in it. Otherwise, only public transport, emergency vehicles or goods delivery vehicles can enter them.

Zero-emissions vehicles are allowed in ZBEs, even if you are not resident. These include electrically-powered or hydrogen-powered cars. You must have a 'low-emissions' sticker to prove your car qualifies, and this must be displayed in your windscreen. It should be clearly visible, but not obscure the driver's view.

Driving in a ZBE without a low-emissions sticker, or in a car that does not qualify, means you will be fined. The town or city council will send you a penalty notice. Fines are normally a minimum of €200.

Now you have read about the legal requirements for your car, you might want to find out more about general Spanish traffic laws. If so, you may be interested in our article on Rules for driving in Spain.