Keeping a UK registered van in Spain

Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 2:03pm

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Joined: 27 Jan 2019

We tend to visit our Spanish home once a month either for long weekends or the odd week or two, so we spend no more than 2-3 months of the year out there.

I was thinking about taking my van and leaving it there. Apparently I can't register a commercial vehicle in Spain but given the limited amount of time we spend there, maybe it's not necessary and I can keep it registered, taxed and insured in the UK.

We have a large garden with a garage where it would be kept, so it wouldn't be on the highway.

Does this sound reasonable and legal?

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Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 2:12pm

Beanie

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Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 2:12pm

How will you keep it's MOT current? The only way is to return it to the UK for a test

Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 2:19pm

Le Danoir

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Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 2:19pm

Yes, I'd probably bring it to the UK for a bit each year and service and MOT it.

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Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 2:31pm

Beanie

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Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 2:31pm

Then sounds totally reasonable to me

Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 3:27pm

PeterC

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Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 3:27pm

Just two points: you should check out insurance, as vehicles must be insured all the time in Spain, unless you go through a slightly complex process to declare it off road (bit like SORN in UK); and without windows behind the cab it really is more dangerous driving on the right.

Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 9:10am

crissywissy

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Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 9:10am

Non residents can only keep a UK plated vehicle in Spain for 6 months in any 12 month period....you risk the vehicle being impounded if you’re caught...see CAB Spain for details or ask on the N332 website for definitive answer from trafico.

Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 9:20am

Roland

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Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 9:20am

crissywissy wrote on Tue May 21, 2019 9:10am:
Non residents can only keep a UK plated vehicle in Spain for 6 months in any 12 month period....you risk the vehicle being impounded if you’re caught...see CAB Spain for details or ask on the N332 website for definitive answer from trafico.

Correct.......& be assured that they do check up on UK plated vehicles.

Not worth the risk these days.