Germany has one of the largest used car markets in Europe and, for many models, lower prices than Spain. Whether it pays off depends on three figures: the price abroad, the Spanish registration tax and what the same car costs in Spain.
The 5 steps to import a car
- Find the car and compare it. Search mobile.de and compare the same model, year and mileage on coches.net, Wallapop and OcasionPlus. Our price comparison tool opens them all with the filters applied.
- Inspect it before paying. Ask for the service history, check the mileage and, if you can, book an independent inspection (TÜV or DEKRA, €100 to €200).
- Buy with an invoice and the COC. The European certificate of conformity (COC) is essential for the import ITV inspection. If it does not come with the car, the brand issues it for €100 to €300.
- Bring the car over. On a car transporter (€600 to €1,200 from Germany) or driving it with export plates and temporary insurance.
- Paperwork in Spain. Import ITV inspection, reduced technical sheet, registration tax (form 576), DGT fee and plates. A gestoría handles it all for €150 to €400.
What importing a car costs in 2026
| Item | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Truck transport from Germany | €600 to €1,200 |
| Import ITV inspection | €100 to €200 |
| Reduced technical sheet | €100 to €200 |
| COC certificate (if not supplied) | €100 to €300 |
| DGT registration fee (fee 1.1) | 99,77 € |
| Paperwork agency (gestoría) | €150 to €400 |
| Registration tax | 0 % to 14.75 % by CO₂ |
Adding up those items, bringing and registering a car costs roughly €1,100 to €2,200, not counting the registration tax. With the import calculator you get the exact total for your car in a minute.
The registration tax (IEDMT)
It is the cost that varies most. It depends on the car’s homologated CO₂ emissions (WLTP):
- Up to 120 g/km: 0 %.
- From 121 to 159 g/km: 4,75 %.
- From 160 to 199 g/km: 9,75 %.
- 200 g/km or more: 14.75 %. Some regions raise it up to 16 %.
For a used car, the rate is not applied to what you paid but to the Spanish tax table value (Orden HAC/1501/2025) multiplied by an age coefficient: 100 % in the first year, then 84 %, 67 %, 56 %, 47 %, 39 %, 34 %, 28 %, 24 %, 19 %, 17 %, 13 % and 10 % from 12 years.
VAT: when you pay it in Spain
For the Spanish tax office, a car bought in another EU country is new if it is 6 months old or less, or has 6,000 km or less. Then you pay 21 % VAT in Spain on the price without German VAT. If it is used (over 6 months and over 6,000 km), you pay neither VAT nor transfer tax in Spain.
Importing from Switzerland
Switzerland is not in the EU, so there is customs: 10 % duty on price plus transport (0 % if the car has European proof of origin, EUR.1) and 21 % VAT on all of it. You also pay the registration tax and the same paperwork as from Germany. That is why a Swiss car rarely pays off, with some exceptions.
Common mistakes
- Calculating the tax on the purchase price instead of the tax table value.
- Not asking for the COC and finding out at the ITV.
- Comparing with worse-equipped Spanish cars or with higher mileage: the saving looks bigger than it is.
- Forgetting ITP when comparing with a Spanish private seller: buying here you would also pay your region’s transfer tax, usually between 4 % and 8 %.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth importing a car from Germany in 2026?
It pays off when the saving exceeds about €1,500 or 5 % of the Spanish price after adding transport, taxes and paperwork.
How long does it take to register an imported car?
It mainly depends on ITV and DGT appointments in your province. With the paperwork in order, allow several weeks from when the car arrives.
Do you pay VAT when importing a used car from Germany?
No, if the car is over 6 months old and has over 6,000 km. You only pay the registration tax and fees.
Which documents do I need?
Invoice or purchase contract, German registration documents (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II), COC certificate and your DNI or NIE. The gestoría will also ask for proof of your town hall road tax.
Can I drive it myself from Germany?
Yes, with export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) and temporary insurance, about €150 to €250. Add fuel, tolls and the trip to collect it.
Guidance based on 2026 data. Before buying, confirm the amounts with a gestoría. Sources: BOE, Agencia Tributaria y RACE.