How to Buy a Car in Germany and Bring It to Spain?

Germany is the largest car market in all of Europe, where many people interested in buying a used car come attracted by the great opportunities present in German territory. As with car auctions, the topic of knowing how to buy a car in Germany and bring it to Spain is a topic that always gives a lot to talk about.

However, many people know what car to buy and are interested in it, but they have many doubts about it and end up buying a new vehicle in our country.

If you are thinking of changing your car or buying a new one, you should know that buying cars in Germany is a very interesting option, mainly because it is a country with almost double the population, with lower unemployment rates and higher salaries. In addition, since some of the main brands in the market are based there, such as BMW, Audi or Mercedes Benz, this makes it a perfect place to find these high-end brands.

The discounts on cars and the fact that the ITV begins to be passed there after three years, mean that there may be great opportunities for buying cars, especially compared to Spain.

Instructions to buy a car in Germany and bring it to Spain

If you want to know how to buy a car in Germany and bring it to Spain, we are going to explain everything you need to know to carry it out:

1. Internet search. The first step to buy a used vehicle in Germany is to search the internet, taking into account different search criteria such as money or the type of vehicle desired. In these websites that you can find, you must enter the section « Gebrauchtwagenbörse»; which is the used models and once in it you will enter the different search criteria you want: brand, model, type of engine, price, maximum mileage…. You must also indicate the” Land”, which is the place where you are looking for; and the” PLZ”, which is the postal code. In this way you will be clear where you can find a car; and how close or far it will be from the airports you can get to bring it to Spain.
2. Trip to Germany. A trip to buy a car in Germany has its advantages and disadvantages. You should know that there are transport companies that charge around 500 euros to bring it to Spain, in which case it is necessary to take out good insurance to avoid problems. If you prefer, you can go for it yourself. You will only have to buy a plane ticket and once there drive about 2,000 kilometers to return to Spain. In the event that you do it this way, it is recommended that you plan the route in advance and use a GPS to be able to return to Spain without problems.
3. Locate the vehicle and purchase. Once you are in German territory, it is time to locate the vehicle. If you want to buy it quickly you should avoid official dealers, where it can take several days to deliver the car. To make the purchase you can take the money in cash or make a Swift transfer, for which you must make sure that your bank is adhered to it. In addition, the process takes about 24/72 hours. When formalizing the contract, you should know that every contract for the sale of a car in Germany appears with VAT; so you will not have to pay it in Spain. In addition, by law, the vehicle must go through a Technical Inspection, so if you buy it at a dealer they will take care of it themselves; If you buy it from a private individual, you will have to go to an authorized center, a process that will cost you about 100 euros. The rest of the procedures are carried out at the traffic office.
4. Necessary documentation. In the establishments for the sale of a vehicle, the administrative expenses are included in the price. If you buy from an individual, you can use an agency or do all the paperwork yourself. For this you will have to provide the general inspection certificate; the gas inspection certificate; vehicle papers; the international insurance certificate; a certificate of temporary insurance. In addition, you will have to make a registration, since to take the car out of Germany you need some provisional plates.
5. Car registration in Spain. After the purchase and your return to Spain you will have to proceed with its registration in our country. In order to do so, you must go to the ITV providing the following documentation:
   • ITV card with its corresponding copies.
   • An original vehicle invoice as well as its sworn translation into Spanish.
   • Proof of having paid the mechanical traction vehicle tax.
   • Enrollment application form.

Once all these steps have been completed, you will be able to have that car that you bought in Germany in Spain. The process carries various costs both in terms of travel and documentation and revisions.

However, making a rough calculation, it is estimated that you can save about 4,000 euros between buying a model with the same characteristics in Spain than doing it in Germany. Hence, many people decide to purchase their new vehicle in German lands.