Importing a car from Spain to Austria: step by step

Yes, a used passenger car can be imported from Spain to Austria. However, the asking price alone is not the deciding factor: do not pay until the identity, DGT status, authority to dispose of the vehicle, original documents and export route all align. No customs duty is payable on this EU route; NoVA, any applicable Austrian acquisition VAT, approval, insurance and registration remain separate matters. 1 2

A clear signal to stop is an unresolved reservation of title, a seal or a restriction on disposal that prevents the transfer of ownership, export deregistration or driving. You should likewise not set off under the vehicle's own power until number-plate recognition and insurance cover have been clarified in writing for every country crossed. 3 4 5 6

1. Purchase decision before payment

Start with the vehicle identification number, the seller's identity and a current full vehicle report from the Spanish traffic authority, the DGT. Compare the information with the vehicle and the original papers. Also determine in advance whether the specific car is genuinely used under Austrian tax rules, whether EU type approval can be evidenced and how it will reach Austria without any gap in number-plate or insurance cover.

2. Check the DGT status, contract and vehicle condition

The current DGT report can show the administrative status, registered holders, ITV and recorded mileage, the number of previous holders, encumbrances, technical data, recalls and electronic maintenance data from participating businesses. It is nevertheless not a complete accident, repair, maintenance or physical vehicle history. Never treat a register entry as evidence that an encumbrance has already been released. 7 3

Where there is a reservation of title, the transfer is blocked until its cancellation in the register or your assumption of the finance has been documented. Cancellation first requires confirmation from the finance company and then cancellation in the register. In the event of an embargo or seal, a signed acknowledgement may be required; however, a seal prevents the issue of the circulation permit and driving until it is cancelled. A restriction on disposal must be lifted for export deregistration, or the finance company's express consent must be obtained. 3 4

The purchase contract must be signed on every page by you and the seller; all registered co-holders must also sign. Record at least the vehicle identification number, price, mileage, known damage, keys handed over and original documents. If the name and authority to dispose of the vehicle do not align conclusively, pause payment. If the vehicle belongs to the export applicant but that person is not the registered holder, the DGT requires proof of ownership, such as a contract signed by both parties on every page or an invoice; here too, the co-holders must sign. 3 4

Where possible, check the condition and identity in person before the balance of the purchase price becomes due. Any available independent pre-purchase inspection must be distinguished from the DGT report, ITV, a statutory inspection, Austrian approval and a guarantee. Its scope must be agreed for the specific vehicle and availability must first be confirmed. 11 12

3. Export and transport to Austria

Final Spanish deregistration for export must take place before registration in Austria. A seal blocks deregistration until it is cancelled; a restriction on disposal requires cancellation or the finance company's express consent. Following final deregistration, a green temporary registration valid for 60 days is available for export to another EU Member State. It requires a valid ITV and an application by the holder or an authorised representative; insurance is required if the vehicle is driven. The number-plate manufacturer requires the original documents issued by the DGT; copies are not sufficient. 4 5

The 60 days mean neither that the number plate is recognised in every transit country nor that the specific policy is valid everywhere and for the entire period. Before driving the vehicle yourself, obtain confirmation for every country crossed and for this specific vehicle. If any confirmation is missing, lawful towing or transport by a specialist carrier is the robust planning option. 5 6

Austrian temporary transfer plates are valid for 3 to 21 days and cost EUR 248.60 plus insurance; this includes a refundable deposit of EUR 36.00. Austrian guidance nevertheless recommends foreign temporary transfer plates for own imports because Austrian plates can cause problems abroad. This option therefore does not establish that collection in Spain or the entire journey is lawful. 13

After first bringing the vehicle into Austria, a person resident there may generally use it with foreign number plates for one month. A further month is possible only if the inability to register it in time is credibly demonstrated. This Austrian period extends neither the Spanish registration nor its insurance. 8

4. Deal with tax and the vehicle approval database

Check the Austrian classification regardless of how the listing describes the vehicle: it is new if it has no more than 6,000 km or its first use was no more than six months before acquisition. It is used only if it has more than 6,000 km and its first use was more than six months before acquisition. 8 2

When a private buyer acquires a new vehicle, Austrian acquisition VAT at 20% and NoVA are due before registration; the treatment of foreign VAT depends on the statutory conditions for an intra-Community supply. For a private purchase of a used vehicle from Spain, NoVA generally applies, but the new-vehicle acquisition-VAT branch does not. For a used vehicle already registered in the EU, NoVA is generally based on its first EU registration and the development in its value. Neither the current formula nor a flat-rate amount should be applied without checking; a low private purchase price may require evidence against an Austrian valuation. 2 14

When buying from an authorised vehicle dealer, the invoice serves as evidence for the NoVA 2 declaration filed with the tax office. For an ordinary private purchase, you need the purchase contract plus a vehicle valuation, such as Eurotax, Autopreisspiegel or a report by a generally sworn expert; you should not assume that limited official exceptions apply. The listed evidence also includes the foreign vehicle and approval papers, an extract from the Austrian vehicle approval database and photo ID. A customs assessment belongs to the third-country branch, not this EU import. Only after the applicable tax has been paid will the tax authority unlock the vehicle in the database for registration. 10

Every imported vehicle must be entered in the Austrian vehicle approval database before registration. EU type approval usually avoids the need for new Austrian approval, but not the database entry or evidence such as a COC or foreign vehicle registration certificate. Without EU type approval, individual vehicle approval and possibly an exemption approval are required. Database entry for an EU-type-approved vehicle can cost up to EUR 180.00; individual vehicle approval is stated at approximately EUR 150.00 depending on the evidence, not as a cost ceiling. 9 10

5. Insurance, the Austrian roadworthiness inspection and registration

For Austrian registration, you need motor third-party liability insurance valid in Austria, proof of identity and approval, and, where applicable, both parts of the previous EU vehicle registration certificate. If the periodic inspection is due and no valid positive report is stored in the Austrian database, a current positive inspection report is required. An own import also requires the database entry and NoVA clearance; customs confirmation is required only where there is actually a third-country import. 15

The basic passenger-car registration items checked on 13 September 2026 total EUR 270.00: an authority share of EUR 178.00, a processing service of EUR 65.60, a ZMR query of EUR 1.10, an inspection sticker at EUR 2.30 and number plates at EUR 23.00. The optional chip-card vehicle registration certificate costs an additional EUR 31.10. Insurance, inspection, translation, technical modifications, transport and taxes are not included. 15

6. A budget without false precision

The following plan uses only one transport option: a specialist carrier, while recognition of the Spanish number plates and insurance cover have not been fully confirmed. For the approval route, it includes only the database entry for an EU-type-approved vehicle. If EU type approval is absent, this branch must be replaced by a specific quote for individual vehicle approval and, where applicable, an exemption approval. Because the purchase price, NoVA, insurance and several services remain vehicle-specific and unresolved, a grand total would be misleading. 14 9 13

7. Chronological checklist

Work through the steps in this order. An unresolved register status, a missing signature, an unresolved export or unconfirmed transport cover is not a detail for later, but a reason to stop before payment or departure.

Frequently asked questions

When is the vehicle used for tax purposes?

It is used only if it has more than 6,000 km and more than six months have passed since its first use. No more than 6,000 km or no more than six months means it is new; private buyers in Austria then owe acquisition VAT at 20% and NoVA before registration. For a private purchase of a used EU vehicle, the vehicle-specific NoVA branch generally applies. 8, 2, 14

Is customs duty payable on an import from Spain?

No. No customs duty is payable on this EU route. NoVA, possible acquisition VAT, approval, insurance and registration remain. 1, 2

Is a full DGT report sufficient as a vehicle inspection?

No. It can show the status, holders, ITV, mileage, encumbrances, technical data, recalls and maintenance data from participating businesses. It is not a complete physical, accident, repair or service history. An encumbrance is resolved only after current cancellation or release. 7, 3

May I drive to Austria with green number plates?

Only conditionally: following export deregistration, the permit is valid for 60 days; a valid ITV, an application by the holder or a representative, insurance and original DGT documents are required. Recognition and policy cover must be confirmed in every transit country. Otherwise, use a specialist carrier or lawful towing. 4, 5, 6

Which documents are required for NoVA and registration?

For a private purchase, NoVA 2 requires the contract, a vehicle valuation, the foreign vehicle and approval papers, an extract from the Austrian vehicle approval database and photo ID. Registration additionally requires liability insurance, proof of identity and approval, where applicable both parts of the previous EU vehicle registration certificate and, if an inspection is due but no report is stored, a positive inspection report. The database entry and NoVA clearance must be complete. 10, 15, 9

Is CarAudit available in Spain?

Check first: the country list checked on 13 September 2026 did not name Spain. Plan the service, appointment and price only after confirmation. A pre-purchase inspection does not replace the DGT and register checks, ITV, approval, the § 57a inspection or the import process, and it cannot guarantee detection of every fault. 11, 12

Check current availability for Spain before arranging an independent pre-purchase inspection. The list checked on 13 September 2026 did not name Spain; the service, appointment, scope and price require confirmation. The inspection does not replace any official, tax or registration-related steps and cannot guarantee detection of every fault. 11, 12

Sources

1. Kfz-Import aus EU-Ländern
2. Fahrzeugerwerb aus Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union
3. Transfer of vehicles with financial charges
4. Definitive deregistration for export
5. Temporary green plates
6. Buying and leasing a car abroad
7. Vehicle report
8. Allgemeines zum Eigenimport von Kfz
9. Import von Kfz — Genehmigungsdatenbank und Typisierung
10. Verfahren bei Fahrzeugimport
11. CarAudit Austria — service and order page
12. CarAudit-Bedingungen
13. Überstellungskennzeichen
14. NoVA Steuersatz
15. Kfz-Zulassung