Bringing a UK Registered Car to Ibiza - What you need to know.

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Thinking of bringing your UK-registered car to Ibiza? Whether you're here for the long haul, the summer, or somewhere in between, here's what you need to know to stay legal and make smart choices.

🧭 The Basics: Non-Residents Can Drive for 6 Months

If you’re not a Spanish resident, you’re allowed to bring and drive your UK-registered car in Spain for up to 6 months within any 12-month period.

After that, you’ve got two choices:

• Take it home, or

• Register it in Spain (which means changing to Spanish plates, paying import taxes, and passing an ITV inspection — Spain’s version of the MOT).

This applies throughout Spain, not just Ibiza — but the rules are the same wherever you park it.

🏠 Residents: Tighter Rules Apply

If you become a legal resident in Spain, the rules shift. You must register your UK vehicle in Spain within 30 days of becoming a resident. No excuses.

Failing to do so can result in fines, insurance headaches, or even the car being impounded.

🛂 NIE vs Residency: Know the Difference

Before we go further, let’s clear something up: you can get an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) without becoming a full resident.

• An NIE is your foreigner’s tax ID number. You’ll need this to buy a Spanish car, register a vehicle, open a Spanish bank account, or buy property.

• You do not need to be a full resident to get an NIE. It’s just for identification and tax purposes.

• If you become a resident, you’ll be issued a TIE (residency card) — that’s a whole other thing, but it’s what triggers the tighter car rules.

So yes, if you're a UK (or EU) national, you can get an NIE, buy a car here, and still technically be non-resident — but how long you spend in Spain will determine whether you’re treated as resident in the eyes of the law.

🪪 Driving Licence Rules: UK to Spanish

If you live in Spain and still have a UK licence, you’re allowed to drive for up to 6 months from the date you become a resident.

After that:

• You must exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one — good news, no test required.

• Your UK licence won’t be valid in Spain after that 6-month window, but you can still exchange it after the fact.

The process is surprisingly straightforward (as Spanish bureaucracy goes), but expect to do some paperwork.

❌ What About Spanish Nationals Driving UK Cars?

Spanish residents — whether nationals or foreign — are not allowed to drive UK-registered vehicles that haven’t been imported and re-registered.

It’s a common trap. Just because a UK-plated car is here doesn’t mean it’s legal to use if you’re on the books in Spain.

✅ Documents You’ll Need

To drive a UK car in Spain legally, make sure you have:

• A UK sticker on the back of the car

• Valid insurance that covers you in Spain (UK insurers often limit this to 90 days)

• Valid UK road tax and MOT (It takes all of 2 minutes for the police to check your car on the .GOV website, they've got phones, they're not stupid, they WILL impound your car.

• Your passport and proof of entry (just in case anyone asks)

And if you're thinking of staying longer or making Ibiza more of a permanent thing, start looking at ITV, import taxes, and possibly re-registration.

🛠️ Need Help?

We get it — this stuff can get messy fast.

At Milner 4x4, we’ve helped dozens of people in your exact position. We offer:

• Long-term vehicle parking (if you need to pause while you figure things out)

• Guidance on vehicle registration in Spain

• Help with driving licence exchanges

• Advice on buying or selling cars locally

• And local know-how on all the hidden bits no one tells you about

Drop us a message if you're unsure. Whether you're staying for a season or settling in full-time, we can help you make the right moves.