earlybay wrote:Questioning my friend more on his experience it appears he ran into issues when he informed the companies he had a UK license and was non- resident. They didn’t ask. Possibly (like town halls that don’t ask you if you are non resident but will proceed to enroll you on the Padròn illegally) insurance companies are not making a note on the policy that the holder has a non EU license. Small print maybe, but best clarified. In any claim you can bet the “small print” will be scrutinised.
Regarding the Padròn, I know of neighbours who have been stopped at Police check-points and when they have produced a UK license the police have checked their status to reveal them on the Padròn and therefore must have a Spanish license. A hefty fine ensued.
I'm sorry but I can't see where he is having a problem. The UK licence is recognised in Spain and you can drive a car in Spain with a UK licence for up to 6 months in one year (90 day rule applies) as a non resident.
Why should it be noted what type of licence you have as long as it's recognised? Plus go through all the online insurance companies and they all say you can.
Now go over to the N332 site, the one run by ex Civil Guard officers in English especially for expats, and they all state you can. The only stipulation is that you have a registered address in Spain but the requirement for residency does not apply.
I was talking about all the cars that park up at Alicante airport that are owned by Brits, not a hire car.
The padron is a different matter and it's been mentioned on here and other places many times that you should not be on the padron unless you are a permanent resident and the case you mentioned is one particular reason for that.
But you are legally allowed to purchase a Spanish registered car and keep it in Spain. You can drive it on a UK, or any recognised licence, for up to 6 months in any one year if you have an address. If you decide to take out residency you must exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one within 6 months, other EU countries can drive until their licence expires if it is a valid photo licence.
Go to Right Move or Mapre in Quesada and they will tell you of course you can. Telephone Linea Direct in English and they will tell you of course you can. They will also cover you on trips back to UK as well.
You can also insure a UK registered car with a Spanish company if you intend to rematriculate it on Spanish plates and simply tell them of the change of registration when that happens. Linea Directa actually answers that very question on their FAQ page.
I have a next door neighbour with a Spanish reg car (rematriculated from UK plates) which he keeps and insures here. There are currently 2 couples across the road with a Spanish reg car they own and actually one of them shares it with their relations when they come over. All insured with Spanish companies.
As an aside, I don't drink either but do socialise up the pub and overhear some of the expat comments and I'm sorry if my throwaway line offended you in some way. Just a comment on some of the things I hear.