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Matrícula Express Mallorca
Non-EU Import · United Kingdom (UK)

Registering a UK car in Mallorca: post-Brexit customs duties, RHD headlights, ITV and Spanish plates

The definitive guide for British expats, boat owners, and second-home residents in the Balearics navigating Spanish customs (DUA), ITV technical inspections, and DGT registration.

Por Mostafa Essadeqy Salhi · Especialista DGT Mallorca
Actualizado: 01/03/2026
9 min read
Fuentes verificadas
Resumen rápido (Respuesta directa)

Registering a UK car in Mallorca post-Brexit requires completing 3 essential steps: 1) Customs Clearance (DUA) with payment of 10% duty + 21% VAT (or 100% tax exemption if moving to Spain as a resident under the Transfer of Residence scheme); 2) Technical compliance (adjusting or replacing right-hand drive headlights for right-hand driving and verifying speedometer in km/h); and 3) ITV Inspection at Son Oms (Palma) or Inca with the original V5C Logbook and an engineer's Ficha Reducida to obtain your Spanish number plates.

Índice de la guía

1. Post-Brexit rules: the UK as a non-EU country

Since the UK left the European Union, British registered vehicles are classified by Spanish customs as third-country goods. To legalize the vehicle in Mallorca, a formal Single Administrative Document (DUA) must be cleared through Spanish customs before presenting the file to the DGT.

2. Right-Hand Drive (RHD) rules & headlight beam adjustment

Is RHD legal in Spain? Yes, driving and registering a right-hand drive car in Spain is 100% legal with no special driving license required.
Crucial ITV inspection point: UK headlights point their beam to the left, which will dazzle oncoming traffic on Spanish roads. At Mallorca's ITV stations (Son Oms in Palma or Inca), headlights must be switched to European continental beam pattern (if equipped with adjustable LED/Xenon units) or replaced with LHD headlight units.
Speedometer: Must clearly display kilometers per hour (km/h), which is standard on virtually all dual-scale UK vehicles.

3. Required UK documentation: the complete V5C Logbook

The Spanish traffic authority (DGT) requires the complete multi-page original V5C Registration Certificate. Do not hand over just the green new keeper slip (V5C/2), as Spanish authorities will reject incomplete copies. Once Spanish registration is granted, you can notify the DVLA online that the vehicle has been permanently exported.

4. Mallorca ITV inspection & Ficha Reducida

Most modern UK vehicles have a European Type Approval number (stated in section K of the V5C). Our registered collegiate engineer produces the official Spanish technical data sheet (Ficha Reducida) required by the Son Oms or Inca ITV station, ensuring smooth approval on the first visit.

5. Moving to Mallorca? Claim 100% tax relief (Transfer of Residence)

Standard Import

Requires paying 10% customs duty + 21% import VAT + Spanish Registration Tax (IEDMT Modelo 576 from 0% to 14.75% based on CO2 emissions).

Relocation Exemption (0% Tax)

If you have lived in the UK for >12 months, owned the car for >6 months before moving, and apply within 60 days of registering on the Padron in Mallorca, you are exempt from customs duties, import VAT, and registration tax.

Read relocation tax relief details
Pre-Import Feasibility Audit

Haven't shipped or bought your UK car yet?

Before shipping a car from the UK to Mallorca, let our engineering and tax team verify its technical compliance, headlight switchability, and exact customs liability:

Get a free pre-import assessment:Check UK car feasibility

Frequently Asked Questions for UK Car Owners

How long can I drive on UK plates in Mallorca?

Non-residents and tourists can drive for up to 6 months per calendar year with valid UK road tax, MOT, and insurance. However, once you become a resident or spend more than 183 days in Spain, you must register the vehicle within 30-60 days.

Related Guides in Mallorca

Classic Cars

Classic Car Registration in Mallorca (RD 892/2024)

Rules for classic British cars over 30 years old.

Pillar Guide

Register Foreign Car in Mallorca

Full step-by-step overview for imported cars.

Fuentes y normativa oficial contrastada:

  • Spanish Tax & Customs Agency (AEAT)
  • Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT)
  • Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
  • 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.