💶 Step 4: Costs & Documentation for Importing Your Car from Germany to Spain 📄🚗

The moment it’s all worth it — plate in hand, ready to drive your dream car

So, you’ve already found the right car, sorted the transport… now what?

This stage is where many people get stuck: hidden costs, confusing documents, and deadlines that can delay your registration for weeks. But don’t worry — I’ve gone through this myself, and I’ll break it down with total clarity.

My Audi A3 plug-in hybrid — imported for less, equipped with more

1️⃣ What Does It Really Cost to Import a Car?

Here’s a real-world example based on my Audi A3 40 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid:

• ✅ Car price (real example): €24,000

• 📄 Temporary German plates + insurance (TÜV): €300

• 🧾 Registration tax in Spain (based on CO₂ emissions): €0–1,500

• 🔍 ITV homologation inspection: €120–€200

• 🧑‍💼 Gestoría (recommended, optional): €90–€200

• 🚛 Truck transport (optional): €500–€1,000

📌 Total cost: approx. €26,500 vs. €29,500–€30,000 at a Spanish dealership — and with fewer features!

2️⃣ Mandatory Documents for Spanish Registration

Make sure you have all of the following:

• 📑 Purchase invoice from the German dealership

• 📘 Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

• 🚗 German registration document (Fahrzeugbrief)

• 💸 Proof of registration tax payment in Spain (Modelo 576)

• 🛡️ Temporary or full insurance

3️⃣ How to Speed Up the Process

Avoid delays with these tips:

• ⏳ Request all documents scanned before the car is shipped

• 📅 Book DGT and ITV appointments in advance

• 🧑‍💼 Use a gestoría if possible — it can save a lot of time and headaches

🔎 Pro Tip

One of the biggest causes of delays is missing paperwork — especially a missing or incorrect CoC. Triple-check everything before the car leaves Germany.

📖 Want to see a full breakdown — with invoices, screenshots, and printable checklists?

👉 Read the full blog post and see how I saved €3,000 on a better-equipped car