Car from mainland Spain to Tenerife

Your car already has Spanish plates, but the Canaries have their own tax system. If it stays in Tenerife, its arrival must be declared and IGIC paid – unless you are moving and qualify for relief.

Why pay IGIC if the car is already in Spain?

The Canaries are part of Spain and of the EU customs territory, but outside the VAT area – IGIC applies instead. A car arriving from the mainland or the Balearics to stay pays no duty, but needs a declaration of introduction, filed through the VEXCAN single window, and IGIC is due. It does not need new plates or registration tax: it is already registered in Spain.

Visiting or staying?

If you are just visiting with your private car from the mainland or another EU country, as a rule there are no customs formalities, provided the car stays no more than 6 consecutive months and is used privately only (no lending, hiring out or handing it over). Beyond that, a permanent declaration is needed (or authorisation for a temporary procedure).

Step by step

Enquiry on WhatsApp with the model, year and your situation.
Documents: registration certificate, ITV technical card and details to value the car.
Ferry from Huelva or Cádiz, with you on board or as freight. Keep the ticket: it proves the arrival date.
Declaration on arrival: IGIC paid or relief claimed.
Afterwards: update your address with the DGT; road tax moves to your new town hall.

Documents

Permiso de circulación and ficha técnica (ITV card).
Statement of the car’s value and date; for a used car the official valuation table can be used.
Ferry ticket or carrier’s certificate with the arrival date.
Passport and NIE.
For relief: empadronamiento certificate in the Canaries and proof of your previous residence.

How much IGIC?

IGIC is charged on the customs value – primarily the price you paid; without a sale, other methods such as official tables apply. Rates for cars: 0% for fully electric cars and electric hybrids up to 110 g/km CO₂ (WLTP), 9.5% up to 11 Spanish fiscal horsepower, 15% above. Example: a car worth €12,000 with 10.73 fiscal horsepower pays 9.5%, i.e. €1,140. Try your own figures in our calculator.

Relief when you move to the Canaries

If you move to the Canaries, the car can come in free of IGIC if, among other things, you move your main residence, have used the car for a minimum period beforehand (the rules refer to 6 months), lived at your previous address at least 185 days per calendar year, the car arrives within 12 months, you don’t sell, transfer or hire it out for 12 months and you register on the local census (empadronamiento).

Costs and timeframe

The cost is made up of IGIC (or nothing with relief), the ferry and clearance. Our fees: depend on the job – we confirm them in your quote. The Huelva–Santa Cruz crossing takes around 32–38 hours.

Common mistakes

Thinking nothing needs declaring because it is all Spain.
Overstaying the 6-month limit for temporary visits.
Losing the ferry ticket that proves the arrival date.
Selling the car within 12 months of using relief.

FAQs: car from mainland Spain

Do I need new number plates in Tenerife?

No. The car is already registered in Spain and keeps its plates. You only declare it, pay IGIC (or claim relief) and update your address with the DGT.

How long can the car stay without being declared?

For private, temporary visits, as a rule up to 6 consecutive months. After that you need the permanent declaration or a temporary procedure.

Is there customs duty?

No duty from mainland Spain, but IGIC is due unless relief applies.

What is VEXCAN?

The joint electronic portal of the Spanish Tax Agency and the Canary government for import and export declarations in the Canaries.

Bringing a car from mainland Spain to Tenerife: IGIC, declaration and ferry