Foreign License Plates - Insurance Information

The Purpose of Insurance

The main purpose of foreign registration insurance is to guarantee mandatory legal coverage for civil liability of a vehicle registered in another country while it is circulating in Spain, allowing:

• Comply with Spanish traffic insurance legislation, avoiding penalties for driving a vehicle without valid coverage in Spanish territory.
• Facilitate the temporary circulation of imported or non-resident vehicles, covering possible damage to third parties during their stay in Spain.
• Allow the administrative management of the vehicle, such as transfer, delivery or registration procedures, while maintaining legal coverage.
• Offer security and support in the event of an accident, ensuring that damage to third parties or to the vehicle itself is covered by insurance valid in Spain.

In summary, temporary foreign registration insurance is used so that a vehicle from another country can legally circulate in Spain, complying with the law and being protected against possible accidents, while the corresponding administrative procedures are carried out.

Legal Limitations

Residents

According to current Spanish regulations – Royal Legislative Decree 8/2004 – the Spanish resident who is importing a vehicle with foreign registration, will have a maximum period of 30 days from the acceptance of the delivery of the vehicle to register it in Spain, a maximum period during which they can legally take out this temporary insurance.

In the event that you are a Spanish resident, and your vehicle with foreign registration comes to Spain for a reason other than importation by sale, the maximum period will continue to be 30 days from the time you set foot on Spanish territory.

Non-Residents

We remind you that, according to current Spanish regulations, non-residents can circulate in Spanish territory with a vehicle with foreign registration for a maximum period of 6 months within a calendar year. This period is also the maximum period for which the vehicle can be insured by this type of insurance in Spain, provided that the following conditions are met:

• The vehicle is still with a foreign license plate
• The holder remains a non-resident
• The total duration does not exceed 6 months of permitted circulation

Please note that, at the time you acquire residence in Spain, this period of 6 months will no longer apply, and you will have a maximum period of 30 days to register the vehicle in Spain, a maximum period during which you can legally take out this temporary insurance.

Recommendations

• We recommend that you always carry with you, or in the vehicle, a physical copy of the insurance policy you have taken out.
• Please note that there may be limitations on the exchange of information between the insurance agencies of the country of contracting and the control systems of the countries adhering to the Green Card. This could lead to potential warnings or penalties from local authorities, even if the vehicle is properly insured.
• In the event of receiving any notification or sanction related to insurance coverage, you must notify us as soon as possible so that we can manage the appropriate allegations before the corresponding authorities.