How to change the registered owner of a car when buying or inheriting it, including fees

The number of used, nearly-new or already-registered cars has been growing for years in Spain. This happens both at dealerships and between private individuals, and although in the first case the company handles the whole process, submitting the papers and carrying out the ownership transfers, there are cases in which we have to deal with these procedures ourselves, and they must be done quickly and correctly to avoid unpleasant surprises.

To transfer ownership of a car that has been bought or inherited, you have to go to the Traffic Department (Jefatura de Tráfico)Bear in mind that any problems that arise, such as fines, penalties and other issues that may come up after the car has been sold, will continue to be sent to the registered owner, so it is advisable not to hand over the car until the change of ownership, called the transfer, has been completed.

Remember that a sales contract must be filled in, specifying the whole transaction, which can serve as proof before Traffic. But let us get to the subject of this article, which is how to carry out the vehicle transfer and what is needed to complete the procedure.

How to transfer the vehicle at the Traffic Department

To carry out this transfer, first of all you must check on the official DGT website (cost: €8.30) that there is no encumbrance on the vehicle, such as a seizure, and that the Circulation Tax for the previous year has been paid up to date. Once you have verified that there are none of these encumbrances, you must request an appointment at the Traffic Department (access to the website) corresponding to your area, to speed up the process. There, you must submit the application for the change of vehicle ownership together with the completed fee form. The fee is €53.40, and must be paid before attending to carry out the transaction.

You must also present your ID card (DNI), residence permit, passport or driving licence, proving the identity of the person presenting the documents and of the buyer. You must also include the certificate of payment of the Property Transfer Tax (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) in the Autonomous Community where you live (form 620 or form 621, as applicable). This is also the time to add the private sales contract. With all of this, Traffic will proceed to change the vehicle’s ownership and we will be able to use it as soon as possible.

Changing the vehicle’s ownership in the case of inheritance

But what happens when we find that we have inherited a car? When a person dies and the car passes to the heirs, there may be several people who could become the future owners of the car. In that case, the DGT states that there is a period of 90 days after the death of the car’s owner to notify that it will be provisionally registered in the name of one of the possible heirs.

To do this, you must request an appointment at the corresponding Traffic Department and obtain the necessary papers, in this case the application for provisional registration of the person who will hold custody of the vehicle until the definitive heir is decided. You must also pay the corresponding fees and submit everything at the same Traffic Department.

The owner of the inherited car will have to prove that it belongs to them by presenting a copy of the will. Together with these duly completed documents, you must also submit the document identifying the person who will have custody of the vehicle, such as the DNI, passport, residence permit or driving licence, as well as the death certificate of the vehicle’s owner. In addition, the custody situation of the car must be justified by means of a written statement by the applicant including their details and those of the deceased, and the provisional-use status of the car.

The necessary car documents include the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV) card, valid at the time, where the provisional change of owner will be noted, along with the circulation permit or licence. With all of this, the change of ownership will proceed, until the definitive one arrives.

When this moment comes, you must submit the application for definitive change of ownership, with the identification of the new owner and a copy of the will, which is essential to prove possession of the vehicle. In addition, you must present proof of payment of the Inheritance Tax or the exemption from it, if applicable. You must also present the car’s documentation, together with the document certifying the payment of the fees, which we have already said are €53.40, so that everything will be transferred to the new owner, who will then be able to enjoy the car.

Summary of the steps to follow in the case of a private sale

1. Check that there are no encumbrances or penalties on the official website: cost €8.30
2. Fill in the private sales contract.
3. Pay the property transfer tax (form 620 or form 621, as applicable) to the Tax Office (Hacienda) of your Autonomous Community, submitting all the previous documentation. You can do this procedure online, except in some Communities.
4. Go to any Traffic Department, after requesting an appointment.
5. Pay the fees (€53.40) and submit all the documentation needed to carry out the procedure, as explained above.