Italian Expats in Spain: Importing a Car from Italy Step by Step

Step 1: check the PRA record and libretto

Every car in Italy is recorded with the PRA, the public vehicle register, and carries a libretto di circolazione (registration document, now the Carta di Circolazione). Before exporting, confirm there are no outstanding liens (fermo amministrativo) or unpaid bollo (Italian road tax) registered against the car — either will block the export process and, later, the Spanish registration, since Spain checks that the chain of ownership and any charges against the vehicle are clear.

Step 2: export declaration and radiazione per esportazione

To formally remove a car from Italian circulation for export, you file a radiazione per esportazione with the PRA (via ACI, the Automobile Club d'Italia, or a licensed agenzia pratiche auto). This cancels the Italian plates and registration, closes ongoing bollo liability, and produces the export certificate the Spanish ITV will want to see alongside the Certificate of Conformity.

Step 3: gather the Certificate of Conformity

Italian-market cars from European manufacturers carry a standard EU Certificate of Conformity (Dichiarazione di Conformità or CoC), the same document format used across the bloc. If the original is missing, most manufacturers or their Italian importer can issue a duplicate for 100 to 300 EUR. Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia models, which make up a large share of cars Italian expats bring, are well documented and duplicates are usually issued quickly.

Step 4: transport to Spain

Driving from northern Italy to Spain typically runs through the French Riviera and down through Provence and Languedoc, around 900 to 1,300 km depending on the starting city, doable in one long day or two relaxed ones. Fuel and Italian/French tolls together run 100 to 200 EUR. A car transporter from Italy costs 500 to 900 EUR depending on distance and is a reasonable choice for a valuable or classic car, of which Italy has no shortage.

Step 5: the tax point — ITP versus VAT

Buying a used car from a private individual in Italy means no VAT is due in Spain, but ITP is: self-assessed via modelo 620 in the buyer's Spanish region, generally 4% to 8% of the official Hacienda table value. This applies whether the contract was signed in Milan or in Malaga. Buying from a professional concessionaria with IVA itemised on the fattura avoids ITP; VAT logic applies instead. IEDMT, the separate Spanish registration tax, is due regardless of seller and depends only on CO2: 0% up to 120 g/km, 4.75% for 121-160, 9.75% for 161-200, 14.75% above 200 g/km.

Step 6: the ITV pre-registration inspection

Every imported car needs the Spanish ITV pre-registration inspection regardless of a valid Italian revisione. Common issues on Italian imports involve aftermarket exhausts, particularly on performance-oriented models, and wheel sizes not matching the CoC — a frequent modification on Italian cars that needs to be reverted or documented before the inspection.

Step 7: apply for the transfer-of-residence exemption if relocating

If the move is a genuine change of habitual residence, apply for the transfer-of-residence exemption to waive the IEDMT entirely. The requirements: ownership and use of the car for at least 6 months before the move, at least 12 months of prior residence in Italy, application within 60 days of registering Spanish residence, and no sale of the car within 12 months after Spanish registration. Codice Fiscale-linked tax filings, Italian utility bills and employment records are the standard proof of prior residence.

Step 8: DGT registration

With the ITV report, the IEDMT filing or exemption approval, and IVTM paid at the town hall, the final step is the DGT registration itself, roughly 100 EUR in fees plus plates. Two to three weeks is typical once all documents are in hand.

A worked example

An Italian expat brings a 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia, owned for three years, 142 g/km CO2, Hacienda table value 26,000 EUR, under the transfer-of-residence exemption: ITV (60 EUR), CoC duplicate (150 EUR), transport by driving (150 EUR), DGT and plates (120 EUR), IVTM (150 EUR). Total: about 630 EUR, with roughly 1,235 EUR of IEDMT waived. Buying the same car privately in Italy without the exemption would add ITP at about 5% (1,300 EUR) plus the IEDMT, pushing the total well past 3,000 EUR.

Frequently asked questions

What if my car still has an outstanding fermo amministrativo?

It must be resolved with the Italian authority that placed it before the PRA will process the export. This is worth checking early, since it can take weeks to clear and will hold up your entire timeline.

Does a classic Italian car get any special treatment?

Cars over 30 years old with historic status can qualify for reduced tax treatment and simplified procedures in Spain, similar to classic car rules elsewhere in the EU, but this is a separate regime from the standard import process and should be checked specifically with a gestor experienced in historic vehicles.

Is the Italian revisione accepted instead of the Spanish ITV?

No, the Spanish ITV pre-registration inspection is mandatory regardless, though a recent Italian revisione is a good indicator the car is mechanically sound.