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The car leasing process in Spain may seem chaotic and intimidating to foreigners. However, as with everything in life, preparation is the key to success!
By following our 5-Step process, the car leasing process will be much easier to navigate!
1. Have Your Documents Ready!
The good news is that there are leasing companies in Spain who are specialized in assisting foreign professionals with financing their vehicles. To move forward, you will need to provide them with the following documents:
2. Driver’s License Rules in Spain
Spain requires foreign drivers who have a license in English to obtain an International driver’s license prior to arriving in Spain. This driving license is a requirement to drive in Spain, and without the license, you could face punishment if stopped by law enforcement officials while driving. American drivers must have both their domestic license and international driver’s license in their possession while driving.
How to Exchange your foreign driver’s license
If you’re a national from a European Economic Area (EEA) country (EU plus Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein) you are free to drive in Spain using your existing driver’s license for the first two years of residence in Spain, although you must register your details with the traffic authorities after six months.
You must adhere to the same conditions as Spanish license holders:
• Undertake relevant medical checks.
• Have reached the minimum age in Spain for the category of vehicle you wish to drive e.g. car drivers must be at least 18 years old.
• Renew or exchange the license after the first two years’ residence in Spain. If an EU license is renewed in Spain it effectively converts it into a Spanish EU license, which then needs to be renewed every 10 years up to the age of 65, and every five years after 65. Read more about the conditions for driving licenses for EU/EEA citizens in Spain.
If you don’t obtain a Spanish driver’s license after two years of residence in Spain and are caught driving, you can face a fine of around €200.
Additionally, you must register with the traffic authorities within six months of moving to Spain. You can do this at your Central Register of Drivers and Minor Offenders.
Once you have registered you will need to take a medical examination. This is to demonstrate that you have the proper mental and physical fitness to drive, in the same way as Spanish drivers.
If you wish you can voluntarily exchange your license for a Spanish equivalent at any time. You will need to inform the relevant authority in your home country. Similar to registering, this is done at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters. The local authorities will request the following documents:
• application form
• valid passport or national identity card
• proof of residence (Certificate of Registration in the Central Aliens Register i.e. your NIE number or Número de Identificación de Extranjer)
• valid driving license to be exchanged (original and photocopy)
• two recent photographs (32x25mm)
• declaration in writing that you have not been banned or suspended from driving
• declaration in writing that you do not hold another driver’s license of the same class in another country
Reciprocity Agreements
Spain has agreements with more than 20 countries, which allow drivers to directly exchange a foreign driver’s licenses for the equivalent Spanish license. These agreements change, so always check with your home country’s consulate in Spain or the Spanish traffic authority. Certain categories of people, such as diplomats and international staff, can also exchange their license regardless of their nationality.
Please see more details on the website of Direccion General de Trafico.
Note: Information may not be up-to-date. Please check official government information for latest laws and regulations.
3. Know What You Want and Your Budget
How long do you need the car?
Car leasing in Spain typically starts at 24 months. Usually, the longer the lease term, the lower the monthly payments
What is your budget?
The first thing any car leasing specialist will ask you is “what is your budget?” For this reason, it’s good to have an idea of what you are willing to spend on your monthly car payments.
When do you need the car?
Usually, the more flexible you are with your car selection, the faster you can obtain your lease. Many times, vehicle providers have popular cars in stock that could be available on short notice. On the other hand, if you opt for a factory-ordered vehicle of a make not common in Spain, you could be in for a long wait.
Delivery times vary considerably on new cars, and you want to be out in good time to ensure that you can get the car you want at your desired time. The usual process time is one to two weeks if the car is available in stock.
4. The Terms and Conditions
Usually, there is no down payment at the start of the lease. Maintenance, service, repairs, road side assistance, and tires may be included.
Auto Insurance
Insurance is usually included in Spain. Make sure to read the print in small to make sure you and the passengers are covered in case of an accident. Also, find out how much you’re expected to pay in the event of an accident or damage to the car.
Terminating the lease early
If you have to return your vehicle earlier than expected, the lease agreement will state exactly how any remaining payments or penalties are calculated. So be sure to consider the termination terms when comparing offers.
Vehicle registration
The leasing company will handle the vehicle registration as part of their service.
5. Expat Specialized Car Leasing Company
A company that can assist is ExpatRide International. They have experience with assisting expats across the globe and service many Fortune 1000 companies’ employees in Spain
ExpatRide can assist with most vehicle makes and models available in Spain, such as: Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, MG, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Rolls-Royce, SEAT, Skoda, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo
They service all areas of Spain such as: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia(–Sagunto), Seville, Bilbao, Málaga, Oviedo–Gijón–Avilés, Alicante–Elche(–Elda), Las Palmas, Zaragoza, Murcia–Orihuela, Santa Cruz de Tenerife–La Laguna, Granada, Palma, Vigo, Cartagena, Cádiz, San Sebastián, A Coruña–Oleiros–Arteixo, Valladolid, Tarragona(–Reus), Córdoba, Pamplona, Castellón de la Plana, Santander–Torrelavega, Alzira–Xàtiva, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Algeciras–La Línea and the list goes on…
Need assistance with leasing a car? Let ExpatRide lead the way
Contact us at CARS@ExpatRide.com for more information
All major cities and all smaller cities, we’ll be there for you:
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia(–Sagunto), Seville, Bilbao, Málaga, Oviedo–Gijón–Avilés, Alicante–Elche(–Elda), Las Palmas, Zaragoza, Murcia–Orihuela, Santa Cruz de Tenerife–La Laguna, Granada, Palma, Vigo, Cartagena, Cádiz, San Sebastián, A Coruña–Oleiros–Arteixo, Valladolid, Tarragona(–Reus), Córdoba, Pamplona, Castellón de la Plana, Santander–Torrelavega, Alzira–Xàtiva, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Algeciras–La Línea and the list goes on……
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