Questions about NIE and taking car to Spain

Hello

I was wondering when and how we should apply for NIE or do we need to be in a rented or owned property to apply?  How soon before moving can you apply?

Also would like to take our car to Spain when we go to live there. Is that quite straighforward to do? I know these have been covered before but I still can't get my head around a few things! 

Margaretx

Hi Margaret,

Both reasonable simple processes.

NIE can be obtained from Torrevieja,the last time i went it took 20 minutes to get it processed and then the clients signed an authorisation for me to pick it up in ten days,you don't have to have a property to buy or rent in the pipeline to obtain one.

If you want an instant NIE this can be obtained at Alicante,you have to go early but again the last time i went i had the Cert in my hand by 12 o'clock the same day.

You can keep your car on UK plates up to 6 months without being asked to change over but it is advisable to get them done very soon after applying for your padron or else you may be levied with a 12% import tax charge if you leave it too long.

It should cost you between €600-€800 including the headlight change dependant on the marque of the car.

Many moons ago i brought my UK car over here and did the portsmouth-Santander crossing,1.5 of the most boring days of my life!i wandered from bar to bar passed the same people in the same chairs hour by hour watching cornation street and they were on a mini cruise!!!!!!! 

Once you get off the ferry the drive is great through the north of Spain towards Madrid and finally down to Alicante,it took me about 7 hours.

Hope this helps

Georgia

HI folks thanks for your replies. Thinking about it, maybe we should sell the car and just buy another over there. I am forgetting the steering wheel is on the other side etc. so probably better to get used to it! Oh, and Spanish cars don't have indicators do they? or at least I have NEVER seen a car indicate in Spain!

Margaretx

Hi Margaret,

That made me laugh about the indicators. It takes a while to realise that they don't indicate.  . I did on a roundabout once and it totally confused them. Once you get into the routine you either wait on the roundabout to see what they do or gun it !!! Good fun and no road rage over there, I love it

I agree with Candyfloss there is no road rage & nobody hassles you on the roads.

Margaret, I am glad you have remembered that the steering wheel is on the other side.

I am also really impressed with the signposting in Spain - far better than in the UK.

Noreen

makes me feel a bit better (little or no road rage)...the road rage in UK is disgusting and is getting worse!

When in a taxi in Torremolinos, the driver was most not pleased at an elderly Gentleman cutting him up (was dangerous) and he caught up with him at lights and asked him to roll his window down then proceeded to have a long conversation of which I didn't understand a word of course basically telling him that he had had a right of way. I couldn't help but think had this been the UK, the effing and blinding would have been terrible!

having said that, maybe he was swearing in Spanish Certainly didn't lose the rag though! Everyone just seems a bit more laid back!  

Margaretx