Guides
Guides to buying and selling a car in the Canary Islands
What you need to know to buy or sell a car on the islands, with the steps, the paperwork and links to the official sources.
How do you buy a used car in the Canary Islands?
Compare prices on the Canary market, get the DGT vehicle report, check the ITV, mileage and service history, and test-drive the car in person on the island. Sign a written sale contract, pay by bank transfer and, when buying privately, pay transfer tax (ITP) to the Canary Islands Tax Agency and apply to the DGT for the change of ownership.
Read the guideHow do you buy a car in the Canary Islands as a foreigner?
To register a car in your name in the Canary Islands you need an NIE and an address in Spain, usually proven with a padrón certificate from your town hall. With those you can sign the contract, take out compulsory insurance and transfer ownership at the DGT. If you are not resident, requirements depend on your situation, so check with the DGT or a gestoría before paying.
Read the guideHow do you transfer car ownership in the Canary Islands?
In a private sale, the buyer pays transfer tax (ITP) to the Canary Islands Tax Agency and applies to the DGT for the change of ownership, paying the DGT fee, online, at the Provincial Traffic Office in Las Palmas or Santa Cruz de Tenerife, or at the local Traffic Offices on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma. The seller must notify the DGT of the sale. When buying from a dealer, the dealer generally handles the transfer and no ITP is due.
Read the guideHow do you sell your car in the Canary Islands?
To sell your car in the Canaries, set a realistic price, have the permiso de circulación, the ficha técnica and a valid ITV ready, and publish an honest ad. Only accept payment you can verify, sign a sale contract, notify the DGT (Spain's traffic authority) of the sale and cancel or transfer your insurance.
Read the guideThe ITV in the Canary Islands: when it is due, what to bring and how to prepare
The ITV is Spain's roadworthiness test, similar to the UK MOT. As a general rule, a private car is exempt for its first 4 years, tested every 2 years from 4 to 10 years old and every year after that. In the Canaries you book with a station authorised by the Gobierno de Canarias and bring the permiso de circulación and ficha técnica.
Read the guideHow do you bring a car to the Canary Islands?
The Canary Islands sit outside the EU VAT area, so bringing a car from mainland Spain or abroad counts as an import: you file a customs declaration (DUA), and IGIC on import and, in some cases, the ATC-managed registration tax may apply. Relocating residents may qualify for an exemption. Before shipping, compare the total cost with buying locally.
Read the guideLooking for data? See the Canary Islands used-car market page, with up-to-date prices by island, make and fuel.