Importing a used car from Spain to Slovenia

For a private individual resident in Slovenia, bringing a previously registered used M1 car from Spain is officially an acquisition of a vehicle from another EU Member State (pridobitev vozila iz druge države članice EU), not the procedure for importing one from a non-EU country. 1 Before paying, check the original documents and VIN; the seller's identity, ownership of the car and authority to sell, each separately; the invoice and VAT; whether export deregistration is possible; and whether transport is practicable. Resolve any outstanding key issue before transferring the money.

Decision before payment

eUprava advises you to require the original documentation from the seller and examine it carefully, as it may be forged; merely seeing an original does not establish its authenticity. 2 Check separately the identity of the actual signatory, ownership of the car and the signatory's authority to sell it. The name on the Permiso de Circulación identifies the registered keeper, but does not in itself authenticate the signatory or prove ownership. 3

According to DGT guidance, a Spanish contract for the sale of a used vehicle should include the name or business name and DNI, NIE or CIF of the buyer and seller, the vehicle's make, model and registration number, the price, and the exact date and time of signing. Both parties should sign every page. 4 As the Slovenian vehicle-acquisition procedure lists an invoice among the supporting documents, establish separately before paying who will issue it and what it will contain. 1

Spanish documents and vehicle history

The Permiso de Circulación identifies the registered keeper. The tarjeta ITV or ficha técnica shows that the vehicle is approved for Spanish roads; DGT states that both documents must be valid for lawful driving in Spain. Digital versions in the miDGT app have the same legal validity as the physical documents only within Spanish territory, so do not treat them as a solution for the entire journey or the Slovenian application file. 3

A DGT report is available only for vehicles registered in Spain. The reduced report gives the date of first Spanish registration and flags events that would prevent transfer or driving, as well as outstanding recalls. The complete report may include the registered keeper, their municipality of residence, ITV and mileage history, the number of keepers, encumbrances, technical data, EuroNCAP information, recalls and maintenance recorded by workshops participating in DGT's digital service book. This is registry information, not a mechanical inspection, a complete service history or a guarantee that there is no unreported defect or encumbrance. 6

Sale, definitive deregistration and departure from Spain

DGT advises the seller to file a notificación de venta immediately after the sale. Until the buyer completes the transfer of ownership, the seller may continue to receive automated-camera fines and liabilities relating to insurance or ITV; DGT states that this responsibility ends once the notification is filed. This is DGT's recommended protective step for the seller, not definitive deregistration for transfer abroad. 4

Before a Spanish vehicle is transferred to another country, DGT requires baja definitiva por traslado — definitive deregistration in Spain. The registered keeper, a third party who proves ownership or an authorised representative may apply. A precinto entry blocks deregistration until it is cleared; a registered restriction on disposal must be lifted or the finance company's express consent must be provided. After deregistration, the vehicle must leave Spain within 90 days or DGT will reactivate it of its own motion. The Spanish vehicle documents must be retained. 5

Transport to Slovenia

eUprava presents three alternatives: transport by tow truck, for which the towing vehicle must be appropriately insured; a specialist vehicle carrier; or driving the purchased vehicle yourself. For self-driving, the car must be temporarily registered abroad, where you also obtain the plates and vehicle registration certificate. 2

After Spanish export or transit deregistration, DGT permits green temporary plates or transport by tow truck or another method that does not involve driving the car. A green-plate permit for a vehicle that will be registered in another country is valid for 60 days; insurance and a valid ITV must be in place for the vehicle to be driven. The Spanish sources do not establish recognition of green plates in every transit or destination country or the territorial scope of temporary insurance, so check both for the entire planned route. 5 10

Conformity, taxes and registration in Slovenia

For an application to a Slovenian expert organisation, eUprava states that the acquisition of a vehicle from the EU requires an invoice and either a CoC or the registration document issued by the competent authority in the country of origin. If the vehicle does not have unified European approval, technical data and evidence of conformity with technical specifications or equivalent rules are also required. 1 For a used vehicle previously registered in another EU Member State, the stated procedure is vehicle identification and assessment of technical condition (identifikacija in ocena tehničnega stanja vozila). The final route, supporting documents and any separate approval remain dependent on the particular car's approval history, documents and modifications. 8

Describing the vehicle as ‘used’ in an advert is not enough for VAT. FURS treats a vehicle as new if it is factory-new or supplied before six months have elapsed since first use or has no more than 6,000 km. It is used only if it is supplied after six months have elapsed and has travelled more than 6,000 km. 7 Even this classification is not a complete tax analysis of the transaction: before paying, check the seller's status and the VAT treatment on the invoice separately.

If you are a private acquirer who is not identified for VAT and the vehicle is new under this test, you must report the acquisition using form DDV-PPS within 15 days of acquisition. The stated rate is 22% on a taxable amount that includes the vehicle price and the assessed DMV; registration is not permitted without proof that VAT has been paid. 7

Unless an exemption is demonstrated, DMV applies when a covered motor vehicle is first put into circulation or first registered in Slovenia, and the taxpayer categories include an acquirer from the EU. The tax base depends on the vehicle type or tariff classification and on fuel, combined CO2 emissions, engine power in kW and/or the EURO emissions class. Without verified vehicle data and an assessment, no fixed DMV amount can be stated. 9

For a vehicle no older than four years, the eUprava guide does not require a Slovenian roadworthiness inspection. For a different age or document situation, the source resolves neither the requirement nor recognition of a particular foreign inspection. 2 The vehicle registration body issues the vehicle registration certificate and the prescribed number of Slovenian plates; the certificate's validity is tied to the applicable roadworthiness-inspection period, compulsory motor third-party liability insurance, payment of the annual road-use charge and settlement of the other prescribed obligations. 11

At first registration, you pay the annual road-use charge, the registration fee, the form for the new vehicle registration certificate and the new plates, but the source gives no amounts. First registration cannot be completed electronically; this does not mean that the buyer must necessarily attend in person, nor does the source rule out an authorised representative, so check the permitted channel and representation before attending. 2

Open budget without an artificial total

The budget selects a specialist vehicle carrier. It does not add green plates or Spanish temporary insurance; if you drive the car yourself, replace the transport line with the current conditions. Outstanding required items prevent a total from being displayed.

Chronological checklist

Keep each item open until you obtain the supporting evidence. Do not confuse the requirements for Slovenian registration with permission to drive from Spain.

Frequently asked questions

Is a previously registered car automatically used for VAT purposes too?

No. For VAT purposes it is new if it is factory-new, supplied before six months have elapsed since first use, or has no more than 6,000 km. It is used only after six months have elapsed and with more than 6,000 km. Check the seller's status and the invoice treatment separately. If you are a private acquirer who is not identified for VAT and the vehicle is new for tax purposes, DDV-PPS must be filed within 15 days of acquisition, the rate is 22% on a taxable amount comprising the price and assessed DMV, and registration is barred without proof of payment. 7

Can I drive the car on Spanish green plates after deregistration?

After export or transit deregistration, DGT provides for a green temporary permit valid for 60 days. Insurance and a valid ITV must be in place for the vehicle to be driven. However, the sources do not establish recognition of the plates in every country along the route or the policy's territorial cover, so check these before departure. 5, 10

Who can apply for definitive deregistration, and what can prevent it?

The registered keeper, a third party with proof of ownership or an authorised representative may apply. A precinto blocks the application until it is cleared; a restriction on disposal must be removed or the finance company's express consent obtained. After deregistration, the vehicle must leave within 90 days or DGT will reactivate it of its own motion; retain the Spanish documents. 5

Which conformity procedure applies in Slovenia?

For a previously registered used vehicle from another EU Member State, eUprava specifies vehicle identification and assessment of technical condition. Attach the invoice and either the CoC or the registration document from the country of origin to the application; without unified European approval, also attach technical data and evidence of conformity. Modifications or an unclear approval history may change the final route. 8, 1

Is a new roadworthiness inspection always required in Slovenia?

No. The eUprava guide states that a vehicle no older than four years does not need one. For an older vehicle or different documentation, this source does not determine the applicable solution or establish recognition of the particular Spanish inspection, so obtain a decision for your case. 2

Must the buyer complete first registration in person?

The source establishes only that first registration cannot be completed electronically. It does not state that the buyer must attend in person and does not rule out an authorised representative. Before attending, check the accepted channel and authorisation; the insurance, road-use charge and other prescribed evidence must also be ready. 2, 11

Next step

The CarAudit website was publicly accessible on 14 September 2026 and provided options to place an order and make contact. If you wish to check whether a pre-purchase inspection may be available, use the website to check current availability, scope, date, price and terms for the particular car and location in Spain. The link does not establish coverage, response time, inspection content or outcome. 12

Check current options

Sources

1. eUprava - Uvoz vozila iz tujine
2. eUprava - Kupil bom rabljen avto v tujini
3. DGT - La documentación de un vehículo
4. DGT - Vender un vehículo de segunda mano
5. Sede Electrónica DGT - Baja definitiva por traslado del vehículo a otro país
6. Sede Electrónica DGT - Informe de un vehículo
7. Nakup novega ali rabljenega vozila v Sloveniji ali v drugi državi članici EU | FINANČNA UPRAVA REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE
8. eUprava - Homologacija vozila
9. Davek na motorna vozila (DMV) | FINANČNA UPRAVA REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE
10. DGT - Matricula temporal: placas verdes
11. eUprava - Registracija vozila
12. CarAudit: rabljenega avta ne kupujte na slepo | 270 kontrolnih točk | Slovenija