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Matrícula Express Mallorca
Expat Vehicle Guide · Mallorca

How to register a foreign car in Mallorca: step-by-step expat guide

Moving your car from the UK, Germany, Switzerland or elsewhere to the Balearic Islands? Here is how to complete the ITV test in Palma, pay Spanish registration taxes, and obtain legal Spanish number plates.

Por Mostafa Essadeqy Salhi · Especialista DGT Mallorca
Actualizado: 28/02/2026
6 min read
Fuentes verificadas
Resumen rápido (Respuesta directa)

To legally register an imported or foreign vehicle in Mallorca, you must complete 5 sequential steps: obtain a Technical Sheet (Ficha Reducida) or European COC, pass the pre-registration ITV inspection at a Mallorca station (Son Oms, Can Pastilla or Inca), settle the Registration Tax (IEDMT Form 576) and local road tax, submit your application to the Spanish DGT, and fit certified Spanish number plates. The standard turnaround time is 10 to 14 working days.

Índice de la guía

When must you register your foreign car in Spain?

Spanish traffic and taxation law draws a clear distinction between short-term visitors and residents in Mallorca:

Tourists & Non-Residents

You may drive your foreign-plated car for up to 6 months in any calendar year, provided road tax, insurance, and the home-country roadworthiness certificate (MOT, TÜV, Contrôle Technique) remain valid.

Residents in Mallorca

Once you obtain Spanish residency or register on the town hall census (Empadronamiento), you must start the registration process within 30 to 60 days. Failure to do so risks vehicle impoundment and substantial fines.

The 5-step registration process in Mallorca

Step 01

Ficha Reducida (Official Technical Sheet)

A Spanish chartered engineer issues the technical conformity dossier required by the ITV test centre.

Step 02

Import ITV Inspection in Palma or Inca

The vehicle is inspected at Palma (Son Oms / Can Pastilla) or Inca. Upon passing, the station generates your official Spanish digital technical card.

Step 03

Tax Assessment & Payment

We calculate and file Form 576 (IEDMT) with the Spanish Tax Agency and pay the municipal road tax (IVTM) at your local town hall.

Step 04

DGT Traffic Approval & Spanish Registration

The DGT assigns your new Spanish registration number and delivers the definitive Spanish Logbook (Permiso de Circulación).

Step 05

Number Plates Manufacture & Fitting

We manufacture and mount your new certified acrylic plates. Your car is now 100% legal on Spanish roads!

Need to drive immediately? Green Temporary Plates (Placas Verdes)

If your foreign plates have expired or you bought a car without valid road insurance in Spain, we can obtain 60-day temporary Spanish green number plates within 24 to 48 hours, enabling you to drive legally in Mallorca while the final registration is in progress.

Fuentes y normativa oficial contrastada:

  • Spanish Traffic Directorate (DGT)
  • Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT)
  • Consell de Mallorca (ITV)

Aviso: Esta información tiene carácter divulgativo e informativo conforme a la normativa vigente en 2026. Los procedimientos específicos pueden variar según las características técnicas del vehículo y la situación administrativa del solicitante.

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Mostafa Essadeqy Salhi

Fundador y Responsable de Operaciones en Matrícula Express Mallorca

Especialista en homologaciones técnicas, inspección previa en estaciones ITV de Mallorca (Son Oms, Can Pastilla, Inca, Manacor) y liquidación de impuestos de importación ante la Agencia Tributaria.