Taking Your Vehicle Out of Spain? Here’s Why You Must Deregister It

by Car Registrations Spain

If you’re permanently taking your car out of Spain – whether you’re moving abroad, selling it outside the country, or switching to a foreign registration – there’s an important step many people overlook: deregistering the vehicle from the Spanish system.

Failing to deregister can lead to serious consequences, including:

● Ongoing road tax (IVTM) bills

● Fines or embargoes

● Liability

● Problems with Spanish insurance

In simple terms: as long as your vehicle remains on the Spanish register, you are legally responsible for it, even if it’s no longer in the country.

What Should You Do?

To properly remove your car from the Spanish register, you’ll need to apply for baja definitiva por exportación (definitive deregistration for export) through the DGT (Traffic Department). This process officially notifies Spain that the vehicle has left the country for good.

You’ll typically need:

● Proof of identity (such as NIE and passport)

● The vehicle’s documents (permiso de circulación and ficha técnica)

● Proof of export (such as ferry tickets or new foreign registration)

● A signed application form or declaration

In many cases, a vehicle import/export agent like Car Registrations Spain can assist with this entire process, saving time and avoiding costly mistakes.

Temporary Use Abroad?

If you’re only taking the car out of Spain temporarily (e.g. for a road trip), you don’t need to deregister. But make sure your insurance covers international use, and be mindful of how long you stay outside Spain as using a Spanish-registered vehicle in another country long-term may breach both local and EU vehicle registration laws.

In Summary:

If your car is leaving Spain permanently, make sure the paperwork does too. Deregistering it properly protects you, avoids future charges, and keeps things legal on both sides of the border.

Got questions? Drop us a message here or speak with a trusted agent for advice.