"If I have residency, can I drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Spain?"

If you are a legal resident in Spain and own a foreign vehicle, you must register it in Spain.

However, if a friend, relative, or neighbor visits you with their own vehicle registered in their home country, you can drive it legally while they’re on holiday — as long as the insurance allows it.

It’s highly recommended that the owner writes and signs a simple authorization letter allowing you to drive the vehicle, and attaches a photocopy of their ID or passport.

This document is not mandatory, but strongly advised. Imagine being stopped at a police checkpoint — it will help you justify why you’re driving a foreign car that isn’t yours, saving you time and hassle.