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What is ITV in Spain? A quick guide

2 July, 2021/in Laws in Spain /by Bmibrokeradmin

Are you wondering what is an ITV in Spain? It is the Spanish equivalent of what in the UK is known as MOT, however, there are several differences. Here we will tell you all about them.

The ITV is an inspection to check whether your car is roadworthy or not. If you are planning on buying a car in Spain, the ITV test is something you will get used to with time. At first, it might look daunting, but we hope that after this quick guide you have everything you need to pass it successfully.

However, it is essential that you know what is the ITV in Spain and the steps to go through to show that your car is in perfect condition. If you are caught without the ITV sticker you are given after the test, you could be obliged to pay a fine of 90 to 150 euros, or they could confiscate your car until you prove it has passed the ITV.

Documents you will need for the ITV test

Whilst learning about what is the ITV in Spain, you should also make sure that you have the right documentation to deliver during the test. These are the documents you must present:

Ficha técnica: This is a document that shows the technical information about your car.
Permiso de circulación: Your vehicle’s registration document.
Evidence that your car has the appropriate insurance. Usually, you present a payment receipt of the latest car insurance premium
DNI/NIE identification

What is ITV in Spain?: charges and fee

As you might know, once you are at the ITV station, and you present all the documentation, they will ask you to pay a certain fee. The amount depends on the type of vehicle you drive, its power, and its size, among other aspects. It also varies in each Autonomous Community. Here you have a link with the complete information (it is in Spanish).

When should you take your car to the ITV test?

While in the UK you must take the MOT annually, the frequency depends on the age of the car.

Cars:

If your car is less than four years old, you are exempt from undergoing the inspection.
Once the car is between four and ten years, it must be done every two years.
If your car is older than 10 years, then it must pass the inspection annually.

Motorcycles:

They are first tested after five years, then every two years.

Caravans:

Caravans must be first tested at six years, then every two years.

Schedule an appointment for the ITV inspection

Another important aspect is to know how to book an appointment for your ITV in Spain. Now it is possible to pre-book your appointment with the ITV centre and avoid long queues of people with their vehicles looking to take the ITV test.

Make your appointment here.

There are many ITV centres all around Spain, so it will not be difficult for you to find one close to your municipality. The opening hours depend on each ITV centre, but it ranges from 8:00 to 20:00.

It is also important that you schedule your ITV inspection as early in the morning as possible. Later you will discover why.

What is the ITV in Spain? What does it consist of?

With an MOT, you can drop your car and leave, and there is nothing more you need to worry about. However, in Spain, you will be asked to perform a series of tasks during the inspection.

If it looks intimidating to you, given the language differences, then you can ask a Spanish speaker to take the car through for you. Here we show you how it will look like and the steps you will be asked to take:

Give your car documentation to the ITV office and pay the fee. You will be given some documents that you should deliver to the mechanic.
Take your car through the different checkpoints:
1. Lights, wipers, indicators, hazards, seatbelts, etc.
2. Wheel alignment
3. Hand brakes and brake.
4. Omissions and oil
Park your car and come back to the office for the paperwork.

What to do when your vehicle has failed the ITV test

Once the inspection is finished, you should check the sheet and look for the results of the test. If your car has failed the ITV, then you will see a stamp with the word “Disfavorable”, which means “unfavorable” in English. There you will also find all the information regarding the technical features you must repair, so your car is considered roadworthy.

You have a month to fix your car and pass the test again. If you do so in the first 15 days, you will get a discount on the fee. Past that period of time, you will have to pay the full amount.

What happens if you have a foreign vehicle

First, you must know that if your car has been more than 6 months in Spain, then it will be considered to be permanently imported, and it must be re-registered. Learn how to do so here: Registering a foreign car in Spain: a complete guide.

If you drive a foreign car in Spain, you can pass the ITV, but it will only count as a “Voluntary Certificate”, not as valid proof that your car is roadworthy. These are the options you have:

Pass the test in the country where your car was registered.
It must be correctly imported and transferred to Spanish plates.

We hope that you have found this article useful. If you have any questions regarding your car insurance in Spain, BMI BROKERS is here to help you. Get in contact with us, and we will gladly help you.

Registering a foreign car in Spain: complete guide

2 February, 2021/in Laws in Spain /by Bmibrokeradmin

If you live in a Spanish territory and want to bring your car to Spain, in this post of BMI Brokers’ blog we bring you a complete guide for registering a foreign car in Spain.

We detail you how to register a foreign car in Spain and thus drive on the Spanish roads with your vehicle according to the regulations.

Documentation for registering a foreign car in Spain

Any national or foreigner who is resident in Spain has the obligation to register a vehicle, foreign or not.

When registering a foreign car in Spain, the following documents must be presented at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) nearest to the place you reside:

Application in official form, you can download it here or get it through specialized agencies, and proof of payment of the relevant fee (97.80€).
ITV card (original and copies).
Proof of payment of Road Tax (Impuesto de circulación). This procedure must be carried out at the Town Hall of the city where the interested party resides.
Proof of payment of Registration Tax (Impuesto de Matriculación). This must be settled at the Tax Office by completing model 576.
Identity card of the interested party. Individuals must present their ID card, driving license or residence card. In the case of legal entities, the tax identification card (NIF) and the accreditation of the representative signed by him/her. Depending on if it is a new or secondhand car bought in the European Union, or a car bought in countries outside the European Union, together with the documentation mentioned above, you will have to present the following documentation.
In the case of a new car purchased in an EU Member State, you must provide the technical sheet of the car and the proof of the VAT (IVA) payment.
If you are buying a second-hand car in a member state of the European Union, you must present the original documentation and the technical sheet of the vehicle, as well as the sales contract and an official translation into Spanish, and pay the corresponding tax.
In the case of a foreign vehicle purchased in a country not belonging to the European Union, the interested party must present the original documentation and the ITV card indicating the importation of the car or the Unique Administrative Document (Documento Único Administrativo – DUA) issued by Border Control.

Registering a foreign car in Spain, step by step

These are the steps to follow when registering a foreign car in Spain:

Moving the vehicle to Spain

The first step is to transfer the vehicle to Spanish territory. Depending on the place of origin, the interested party should study which route is more economical: by road, by boat, by train… or you can drive to Spain yourself, but there are cases in which the journey can take more than one or two days.

ITV Test

It is likely that the vehicle has already passed the ITV test in its country of origin or an equivalent test, but in Spain the regulations state that foreign vehicles have the obligation of taking the ITV test in Spain, even if they have already taken it in their home country.

Vehicles from the European Union normally have no problem passing the ITV test. However, in some cases, vehicle components may have to be modified to comply with Spanish regulations.

For the ITV test you will need the technical sheet and the registration certificate or equivalent document from the country of origin. We recommend that you make an appointment in advance in order to avoid unnecessary delays.

Registration Tax for foreign vehicles

Once you have passed the ITV test, the next step in registering a foreign vehicle in Spain is to pay the registration tax (Impuesto de Matriculación).

To do this, as we indicated at the beginning of this post, you must pay the Registration Tax at the Tax Office by filling in model 576 and paying the corresponding fee.

In addition, in this same administration you can present model 300 corresponding to the payment of VAT, if the vehicle purchased is new, or model 309 corresponding to the Transfer Tax, if the purchase has been made between individuals and the vehicle is second hand. You must also present the Unique Administrative Document (Documento Único Administrativo – DUA) if the car is imported from a non-EU country.

Road tax

Once the model Registration Tax has been presented to the Tax Agency and the corresponding fees have been paid, the next step when registering a foreign car in Spain is to go to the City Council of the place of residence of the interested party and pay the road tax.

As the road tax is a function of the local council, the payment of the fees can vary.

Registering a foreign car in Spain

Once you have all the documentation gathered, and translated by an official interpreter if necessary, the interested party must present it to the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) and pay the corresponding tax.

With this procedure you will register the vehicle and obtain a new registration number to be able to put it on the car.

How much does it cost to register a foreign car in Spain?

There is no exact price for registering a foreign car in Spain. As you will have seen during the post, the payment of fees and other costs will depend on the different organizations involved in the process and the Autonomous Communities.

In addition to the other costs such as the translation of documents, the transfer of the vehicle or the arrangements that have to be made depending on the ITV test, among others.

Another aspect to take into account when importing and registering a foreign vehicle in Spain is to take out a car insurance, as it is compulsory according to Spanish regulations.

At BMI Spain, insurance broker, we can help you find the car insurance in Spain that best suits your needs. We will show you the best prices from the main insurance companies and advise you, without obligation, so that you can find the policy that you really need.

For more information, do not hesitate to contact us, we will be delighted to help you.

What to do if your car is stolen: complete guide

15 September, 2020/in Laws in Spain /by Bmibrokeradmin

One of the biggest fears that owners of a vehicle have is that it will be stolen. Nowadays it is possible that the car can be taken from anywhere, not only from streets with bad reputation or unknown.

For this reason, at BMI Spain we tell you what to do if your car is stolen.

Check that your car has been stolen

If you want to know what to do if your car is stolen, first check that it is in another street or area and not that it has been stolen.

We often get into the habit of parking our car in the same street or area, and maybe because of some mistake you think it should be there and you actually park it in another street. We recommend that you go around the block before taking the next step.

Another reason why your car is not where you had it parked, other than theft, is the possibility that it has been taken away by a tow truck because it was parked in a prohibited area.

Normally the operator who has taken the car in the crane leaves a sticker attached to the floor, sign or nearest wall, indicating where your vehicle is located, the license plate and a contact phone number. You can also call the town hall to check the status of your car.

Report the theft

If you don’t know what to do if your car is stolen, you should go to the police to report the theft.

You should go to the nearest police station and file a report of the theft of your car and any other personal belongings you may have inside.

Reporting the theft of your vehicle is very important, since not only will a search request be issued to locate it, but also if a crime or traffic infraction is committed, with the report you will be able to demonstrate that it was not in your possession and thus exempt yourself from any type of responsibility.

The police station must provide the following data: identification document, either DNI, residence card or passport, registration number, brand and model of the vehicle, as well as other characteristics like the color.

Do not worry if at the time of presenting the report you forgot to include some personal object, you always have the possibility to return to the police station and extend your report.

Report the theft of your vehicle to the insurance company

Once you have filed a report at the police station and been given a copy of it, what to do if your car is stolen is to report the theft of your vehicle to the insurance company.

Once you have informed the insurance company of the facts and sent them a copy of the report, it will open an incident for the theft of your vehicle.

If you have comprehensive insurance against third parties, including theft, the insurance company will cover the event, and in case the theft is not included, you can at least suspend the insurance policy.

You will have to wait at least 30 days until the company declares the vehicle as missing, and from then on start with the procedures for the compensation.

Discharge the stolen vehicle at the traffic office

Once you have filed a report and informed the insurance company of the theft of your vehicle, you must go to the corresponding traffic office and have it cancelled.

Normally, once you file a report, the police take care of this procedure, but it is better to make sure and do it personally.

Cancelling your vehicle at the traffic office will prevent you from being sanctioned in the event that some type of infraction is committed with your vehicle.

For this procedure you will be asked for the following documents: the car theft report, the driving license, an identification document and the car’s technical sheet, if it has not been stolen.

In the event that the car appears, you can re-register the vehicle at the traffic office.

Communicate the theft of your vehicle to the City Hall

Another step we must take to know what to do if your vehicle is stolen is to inform the Town Hall that it has been stolen.

This procedure is mainly to avoid paying the car’s circulation tax, since we cannot use it.

How do I manage the compensation for the theft of my vehicle?

If it’s been 30 days since the car disappeared and you have already done all the previous steps, this is the next thing to do if you don’t know what to do if your car is stolen.

In order to do so, you must go to the insurance company’s office, where you will be asked to provide the following documents: the original report of the car’s theft, an identification document (ID card, passport or residence card), the receipt of temporary cancellation of the vehicle from the traffic office, the receipt of payment of the last municipal road tax, a report with the owners who have had the car and the keys.

Once the insurance company has ruled out fraud or theft, has the required documentation, with the type of policy and the age of the vehicle, the experts will make an assessment and establish an indemnity.

Normally, companies indemnify with the market value of the car. In other words, the insurance companies economically compensate with the value that the car has in the moment before the theft and what it would be have for sale.

This value depends on the brand, characteristics and age of the vehicle, but does not take into account mileage or maintenance.

In case you do not agree with the value of the compensation, you can claim it before the defender of the Insured Party (Defensor del Asegurado).

What happens if the stolen car shows up?

In the case that once the insurance company has paid you the compensation of the car and it appears, you have two options, either keep the money of the compensation, or return it and keep your car.

In the second case, the insurance company will appraise the car and will take care of the repair of the damages that have been caused by the theft.

Even though coverage for vehicle theft is not mandatory it is highly recommended as it saves you a lot of hassle.

If you are looking for the best car insurance in Spain, at BMI Spain we can help you find the one that best suits your needs.

A good insurance broker looks for the best solution for you. For more information, visit our website, or contact us.

What to do after a car accident in Spain

4 May, 2020/in Marbella /by Bmibrokeradmin

It is difficult to imagine ourselves involved in a traffic accident, however, it can still happen. In BMI Brokers we want to help you be prepared and show you how to proceed or to know what to do after a car accident in Spain.

You can print this post or keep the direct access to it so, whenever the time comes, you will know what to do after the car accident. The more precautions you take the better for you when you are in this situation.

Steps to know what to do after a car accident

These steps are meant to help you when you are involved in an important car accident. It will always depend how it was caused, where it was or how much damage has been caused either to your car or the passengers.

Examine the possible injuries or damages

The first you should do is to check the damage of your vehicle or whether the passengers have any injuries. If so, then you should call the police on the number 112. Whenever you go out of the car, you should put on a reflective jacket.

Go to a safer place

You should consider what is best for you and the passengers, to stay at the place where the accident has taken place or maybe move to another safer place. Remember that if someone is seriously injured they should not be moved from where they are until the authorities arrive.

If you can move your car, then try to take it to a safer place. In Spain to take all the passengers out of the car is considered a risk because the can be hit by other drivers. Only the drivers involved in the car accident are the ones that should leave the car.

Once your car is in a safer place, you should put on the hazard warning lights on and then place a warning triangle 50 meters away from your car from the front and from behind.

Document the accident

What you have to do after a car accident and you have out everyone into safety, is to document the event as much as possible. This means taking pictures of your car, of the other cars involved, and also to the number plate of the vehicles from the people who have witnessed the conflict. You should also take some of their names and telephone numbers

Also make sure you have the following information about the other person involved in the accident:

Vehicle’s number plate
Model and make of the car
Driver’s name
Driver’s address
Policy number
Insurance Company
Driver’s license number

Remember to never take responsibility for the accident since your contract with your insurance policy says that you should not admit responsibility or liability.

Also do not forget to ask for the police report since it could be helpful it the accident goes to court.

Complete the “Declaración amistosa de accidente de tu automóvil”

One you have all the needed information, you should complete the “European Accident Agreement Form”. In it you will find two sections for each of the cars involved in the accident. Then, as we have mentioned before, the police will fill in their own report.

Report the accident to your insurance company

If you follow these steps to know what to do after a car accident in Spain, you should be okay. The next thing you should do is to report the accident to your insurance company or your insurance broker. You have from 5 to 7 days to do so.

Be sure of the coverage that your insurance company provides you and of the different possibilities you have available for you.

What to do after a minor car accident

We hope that you do not get involved in any kind of accident. However, we know that it is important for you to be responsible and know what to do after a car accident. Sometimes, if there is any injured passenger, you will not need to call the police.

In this case, you should make an accident report filling the document we had mentioned before, the “Declaración amistosa de accidente de tu automóvil”. If the other party is reluctant to do so, then you should call the police to ask for help.

Documents you should take with you in your car

Once you have bought a car in Spain, there are certain compulsory documents that you should keep in your car. These documents serve as identification of your vehicle and also will help you to know what to do after a car accident.

You need to always carry with you your driving license
The registration certificate: it is issued by the EU and it has all the information about the car and the owner.
ITV card next to the circular sticker: the ITV is a test that states that your car is good conditions to drive. You should take with you the card and also stick in the upper right part of the windshield.

Choose the right insurance company

Are you searching for the right car insurance in Spain for you? Having the right coverage will prevent you from possible surprises when compensating an accident. In BMI Brokers, insurance broker, we can help you to find the perfect insurance for you.

When choosing one, there are these possibilities: third party cover or the fully comprehensive cover. To know more about the different insurances and what do they cover, you can visit our page for car insurance in Spain.

In BMI Brokers we can help you to find the best insurance company to help you when involved in a car accident. Do not hesitate and get in contact with us.

How to buy a car in Spain: everything you need to know

30 January, 2020/in Laws in Spain /by Bmibrokeradmin

Knowing how to buy a car in Spain can be tricky sometimes. Did you know that Spain is the second largest producer of motor vehicles in Europe? In BMI we understand that bureaucracy is not an easy matter, and it is even more difficult when you are an expat in a foreign country.

In the following post we will explain to you all you need to know about buying a car in Spain: the paperwork, what documents are required for an expat, what you should ask for from the seller and how to make sure that you are choosing the right car insurance.

At BMI Brokers we can help you to find the best car insurance in Spain for expats. If you are considering buying a car in Spain, then keep this in mind. We will find the best car insurance company and do all the hard work for you. If you are interested, check all our services!

Keep reading to find out how to buy a car in Spain!

How can you buy a car in Spain?

There are two different ways to buy a car in Spain: either from a dealership or from a private seller. Both methods are available for everyone, it does not matter whether you are an expat or not.

If you buy a car from a dealership

It will be easier because the dealer will take care of all the paperwork and the contracts. You will also get a guarantee of one year if the car has any failure. However, usually buying a car from a dealership will cost you more than doing it from a private seller.

When buying a car privately

Buying a car from a private seller is usually cheaper and it will be easier for you to find a real bargain. However, you will have to take care of all the bureaucracy and paperwork and you will not get any warranty on the car.

How to buy a car in Spain: paperwork you will need

First of all, there are certain things that they will require from you when buying a car. Normally, for Spanish nationals they would only ask for your driving license. However, if you are an expat there are a couple of things more that they will require you to have everything in order.

Requirements to buy a car for expats

Here are the things you need to make sure you have if you want to buy a car in Spain:

Your NIE, in other words, your tax identification number.
To have a registered address in Spain, so you will have to provide proof you are recorded with the local town hall by producing a “Certificado de empadronamiento”
You will need to own a property or to be renting one for more than one year. This means that you will have to show also a proof of permanency in the form of your house deeds or in rental contract.

Once you have all these documents in order, you will be able to buy a car in Spain.

How to buy a car in Spain: documents you need to ask for

Having all your paperwork in the right place is very important. We know that the bureaucracy concerned when buying a car depends on each country. Sometimes we might feel a little bit dizzy among all the different documents that are needed. Do not worry, we are here to help you!

Here are the documents you will need to ask the dealer or the private seller for:

The Log Book of the car or Permiso de circulación. This document is meant to be like the identification card of your car and it has the important information regarding the number plate, the model, the name of the owner, etc.
You will need the transfer of the ownership. This document is proof of the transfer of the car from the last owner to you. For this, it is also very important that the vehicle has passed the ITV, the Spanish test that makes sure your car is still roadworthy.
Proof that the road license fee (Impuesto sobre Vehículos) has been paid.

How to choose the right car insurance

Now that you have everything you need, it is time to think about finding the best car insurance in Spain for expats. There are hundreds of insurance companies, searching for the right one can be sometimes feel a little bit complicated.

Types of expat car insurances in Spain

There are two main types of car insurances in Spain. One is third party the other is fully comprehensive. With the latter you can reduce the cost by accepting an increased excess. Each insurance company will have slightly different cover.

Third Party Cover or Terceros

This is the minimum legal requirement. It is also the cheapest option. It covers any damaged done to a third party car in an accident, including also any personal injury that the accident might have caused to the person.

However, it does not cover the damages caused to you or your car.

Fully Comprehensive Cover or Todo riesgo

These types of car insurances will cover most of the eventualities that might occur to you. It includes the material damage to your car and the injuries to the driver and the people who were in the car during the accident.

Normally, it will also cover the damage caused by fire and theft.

→ Things to consider when buying a car in Spain

Some car insurances can cover theft and fire and others might not
Km0 cars are cheaper than new ones because they have already been used for test drives
In Spain it is the vehicle that is insured, not the person
When buying your car privately, you can rely on a “Gestor”, a professional who specialises in red tape who will help you with all the bureaucracy.

Count on BMI to help you find an expat car insurance

Searching for the right insurance is difficult, we know. There are lots of different car insurances out there and we understand that choosing one is difficult. The money you will have to pay, what it will cover, the conditions…

A good insurance broker looks for the best solution for you. Just get in contact with us and we will start working to find the car insurance that fits your needs the best.

Six reasons to take your insurance though an independent

1 January, 2020/in Insurance for expats in Spain /by Silvia

What makes mediators so special?

A personalized service. As an independent broker we are not tied to any one particular insurance company. That enables us to find the most appropriate product for you.

After sale care. We don´t just help you find the right policy, we are there with you throughout the life of the insurance contract.
Claims support. We will help you represent your claim in front of the insurance companies.
The human touch. In a word which with each passing day is becoming more automated you have the benefit of talking a real person.
Fee free service. As an independent broker receives payment from the insurance company, where the policy is taken, there are no fees to pay us for finding you the product.
Breadth of offers. Working with a wide range of insurance providers and having a large client base enables us to negotiate competitive premiums and special discounts, which you can benefit from.

In BMI we give our personal attention to those who are looking for expat insurance in Spain. These are some of the insurance you will with us:

We offer service:

On-line.
Face to face.
Telephone.

Get Insurance In Your Language.

BMI INSURANCE BROKERS has two offices; our main office located in Fuengirola – Mijas and a sales office in Nueva Andalucía – Marbella. Both offices are attended by friendly and bilingual English / Spanish speaking personnel.