How to keep a car in Spain when not used for long periods?

Hello,

Any information please about keeping a car in Spain. We have a house in Quesada and come over several times a year during school holidays. Hiring a car is not too bad during the winter but cheapest quote for a small car for the 6 week summer hols is well over 1500 euros. I am wondering if it would be worthwhile buying a cheap car to use whilst here and keep it with a solar powered trickle battery charger so it will start after a couple of months standing. What rules and regs would I need to look at so as to be fully legal. Thank you.

As long as it's got Spanish plates, no problem. Just set up a direct debit for road tax and insurance and make sure you come over when it's due the ITV. You could also leave it at the airport parking for around €300 a year and they make sure it is charged. You'd also have transport back and forth from the airport as well.

I would agree with Marcliff.
We bought a good little run around car and have an airport parking arrangement where we can leave the car at either Alicante or Murcia airport.
The good thing with what we have done is that family members can use the car when they are here as it is the car that is insures and not a named driver.

You may keep your U.K. plated car in Spain for as long as you like, if you are non resident,
But remember that U.K. insurance companies often impose a 90 day foreign driving restriction on their policies, so if you were to drive your uk plate car for more than 90 days, you may find yourself
uninsured, unless you got an extension from your company.

jake wrote:You may keep your U.K. plated car in Spain for as long as you like, if you are non resident,
But remember that U.K. insurance companies often impose a 90 day foreign driving restriction on their policies, so if you were to drive your uk plate car for more than 90 days, you may find yourself
uninsured, unless you got an extension from your company.

I don't think that is correct (??) - As far as I know, there is a 6 month limit and then it needs to go back to the UK....Well that's what I thought when we were thinking of leaving our car in Spain for the Spring & Summer months.

Jan

I would like to modify my last post on this subject.
1. The car must be kept U.K. street legal.
2. If the registered owner has spent more than 6 months in any 1 year in Spain, they become liable to
pay relevant Spanish tax, which includes road tax, or its equivalent.
So it seems to revolve more, around what the owner does, rather than what the car does.
Comments welcome.

If you are a non-resident, you can drive a UK registered car in Spain for up to 6 months in any one year (calendar year not Jan to Dec). The car must be fully road legal in its country of origin, ie having a valid MOT, road traffic fund licence and insurance at all times. If the MOT or road tax runs out, you cannot drive it back to UK and you have to do this before it expires. Jake mentioned insurance. The 3 months normally allowed by UK insurance companies will be reduced to the minimum required in the country, that is, 3rd party only. Some insurance companies will not cover you for more than 3 months even if you pay the extra whilst others will allow you to extend it to 6 months but the cost if very high. Remember you also have to have breakdown cover which comes with insurance here.
Once you have been here more than 6 months (again in a calendar year) you can no longer drive the car and have to change the registration to Spanish and the lights and so forth to pass the ITV in Spain.
Much easier to buy a car over here, honest.

marcliff wrote:If you are a non-resident, you can drive a UK registered car in Spain for up to 6 months in any one year (calendar year not Jan to Dec). The car must be fully road legal in its country of origin, ie having a valid MOT, road traffic fund licence and insurance at all times. If the MOT or road tax runs out, you cannot drive it back to UK and you have to do this before it expires. Jake mentioned insurance. The 3 months normally allowed by UK insurance companies will be reduced to the minimum required in the country, that is, 3rd party only. Some insurance companies will not cover you for more than 3 months even if you pay the extra whilst others will allow you to extend it to 6 months but the cost if very high. Remember you also have to have breakdown cover which comes with insurance here.
Once you have been here more than 6 months (again in a calendar year) you can no longer drive the car and have to change the registration to Spanish and the lights and so forth to pass the ITV in Spain.
Much easier to buy a car over here, honest.

Saga does! http://www.saga.co.uk/insurance/car-ins ... cover.aspx
Saga's car insurance covers you for driving in Spain for an unlimited period at no extra cost.

I did say "some" insurance companies. Axa reduced mine to 3rd party with 56 pounds a month extra for fully comp and no longer than 3 months. I'm sure there are others who will do it longer.
Much prefer my Spanish company here which covers me fully comp in all EU countries and gives me breakdown cover in those countries as well. Takes the worry out of it. Also provides a replacement car if necessary.