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Transport

Vehicle ownership transfer

Cambio de titularidad de un vehículo

What it is

After signing the purchase contract, the buyer has 30 days to transfer the vehicle's ownership at the DGT, online or in person. Beforehand it is advisable to request the free short vehicle report (informe reducido) to check that it can be transferred and is free of charges: a vehicle that is temporarily deregistered, with local taxes unpaid or with outstanding fines cannot be transferred. The contract must include the details of buyer and seller (with DNI/NIE/CIF), those of the vehicle, the price, the date and time, and be signed by both on every page. You must also prove payment, exemption or non-liability of the property transfer tax (form 620 or 621) in the region of your tax address. Gifts, inheritances and divorces follow somewhat different steps.

Official wording
Tras la firma del contrato de compraventa, estás obligado a realizar el cambio de titularidad del vehículo en un plazo de 30 días.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

When

After signing the sale contract you have 30 days to change the owner. A vehicle that is temporarily deregistered, without local taxes paid or with outstanding fines cannot be transferred.

Official wording
Tras la firma del contrato de compraventa, estás obligado a realizar el cambio de titularidad del vehículo en un plazo de 30 días.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Get a vehicle report

    The free short report confirms identification, registration status and any charges or impediments. The detailed one (€8.67) also includes ITV and maintenance-book data.

    Official wording
    Este informe, gratuito, ofrece información que permite confirmar la correcta identificación del vehículo

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Check it is free of charges

    Last year’s road tax paid, fines paid, no retention of title by a lender (or with its consent) and no seizures or seals (or signing that you are aware of them).

    Official wording
    Un vehículo sin los impuestos locales al día no puede ser transferido.

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Sign the contract

    It must include buyer’s and seller’s details (with DNI/NIE/CIF), make, model and plate, price, date and time, and be signed by both on every page. You can use the DGT template.

    Official wording
    No olvides que el contrato debe estar firmado tanto por el comprador como por el vendedor en cada una de las hojas que lo componen.

    Official sources

  4. Step 4: Pay the transfer tax

    Prove payment, exemption or non-liability of the property transfer tax (form 620 or 621) in the region of your tax address.

    Official wording
    Debes justificar el pago, exención o no sujeción del Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (IPT), modelo 620 o modelo 621 según corresponda, en la comunidad autónoma en la que tengas tu domicilio fiscal.

    Official sources

  5. Step 5: Change the owner at the DGT

    Online or in person, within the 30 days. Before driving, check the ITV is valid and take out insurance.

    Official wording
    Antes de circular con tu vehículo, asegúrate que tiene la ITV vigente y contrata un seguro.

    Official sources

Fees

Change of owner: €55.70 (fee 1.5); mopeds, €27.85 (fee 1.2).

Official wording
Recuerda que tienes un plazo de 30 días desde la firma del contrato para realizar la transferencia del vehículo.

Official sources

Terms used on this page