Self build campervans in Spain
Discussion
Moving to Spain at some point from here in France. I have a self build campervan, French registered etc.
Now here in France, you have to be really carefull with any modifications, but it seems OK to have a self build camper if you dont have a a fitted kitchen, gas etc. It stays Ct'd (MOT) as a van and all is well. And you need to leave the bulkhead in. Basically the vehicle presented for CT has to be the same as it was when it left the factory.
Does anyone know how strict they are in Spain? Are self buid campers allowed or should I sell it here and forget campervanning in Spain?
Now here in France, you have to be really carefull with any modifications, but it seems OK to have a self build camper if you dont have a a fitted kitchen, gas etc. It stays Ct'd (MOT) as a van and all is well. And you need to leave the bulkhead in. Basically the vehicle presented for CT has to be the same as it was when it left the factory.
Does anyone know how strict they are in Spain? Are self buid campers allowed or should I sell it here and forget campervanning in Spain?
I don't know the answer to your problem, but I guess a lot would depend on the origin of the base vehicle.
If its a LHD Citroen, I guess it would be easier than a RHD Hiace. Choosing a good Gestoria is the best starting point. I brought my French Boxster here and chose a Gestoria who had good reviews on Google. It could not have gone more smoothly.
My mate shipped a US Porsche Targa 1976 from England, it arrived July 2022 and still has not been approved, a Brit from a local classic car club pointed him completely in the wrong direction. The garage I use is importing classic US cars all the time and has “good” relations with the local ITV station. He never has big problems.
A basic ITV check for a car with clean documentations is not complex
If its a LHD Citroen, I guess it would be easier than a RHD Hiace. Choosing a good Gestoria is the best starting point. I brought my French Boxster here and chose a Gestoria who had good reviews on Google. It could not have gone more smoothly.
My mate shipped a US Porsche Targa 1976 from England, it arrived July 2022 and still has not been approved, a Brit from a local classic car club pointed him completely in the wrong direction. The garage I use is importing classic US cars all the time and has “good” relations with the local ITV station. He never has big problems.
A basic ITV check for a car with clean documentations is not complex
Steviesam said:
Moving to Spain at some point from here in France. I have a self build campervan, French registered etc.
Now here in France, you have to be really carefull with any modifications, but it seems OK to have a self build camper if you dont have a a fitted kitchen, gas etc. It stays Ct'd (MOT) as a van and all is well. And you need to leave the bulkhead in. Basically the vehicle presented for CT has to be the same as it was when it left the factory.
Does anyone know how strict they are in Spain? Are self buid campers allowed or should I sell it here and forget campervanning in Spain?
Quite strict, they really don't like mods down here.Now here in France, you have to be really carefull with any modifications, but it seems OK to have a self build camper if you dont have a a fitted kitchen, gas etc. It stays Ct'd (MOT) as a van and all is well. And you need to leave the bulkhead in. Basically the vehicle presented for CT has to be the same as it was when it left the factory.
Does anyone know how strict they are in Spain? Are self buid campers allowed or should I sell it here and forget campervanning in Spain?
Even down to ensuring that your tyre size/rating is covered by the specifications listed for the vehicle.
Is yours a VA category and is it RHD?
If so, forget it as RHD commercial vehicles can no longer be registered in Spain.
If it's VASP on your CG which I doubt from your comments around CT's then you should be OK to try, but it ia a real challenge you've set yourself up for. Good luck!
There's a loophole. If you are moving to Spain, and applying to become a resident, you can bring your vehicle with you, and register it. You can register stuff that will not normally be accepted, because if they refuse it can be looked upon as being prejudice.
I found this out when I was trying to matriculate a motorcycle that was looking a bit sketchy to get through, (I've done three so far) the Gestor just happened to comment about me being registered at the town hall at a previous address. I'd forgotten to register at my latest address, so I had to run and change my Padronamiento at the new town hall.
When I returned to the Gestor with the new paper, she commented about the date, and said she wouldn't give them my residencia unless they asked for it, as it looked like I had just come into the country as a new resident. Sure enough, it all went through.
After typing all that, as previously mentioned, a right hand drive van is a definite No! So I hope yours is LHD... Oh, and it will be expensive!
I found this out when I was trying to matriculate a motorcycle that was looking a bit sketchy to get through, (I've done three so far) the Gestor just happened to comment about me being registered at the town hall at a previous address. I'd forgotten to register at my latest address, so I had to run and change my Padronamiento at the new town hall.
When I returned to the Gestor with the new paper, she commented about the date, and said she wouldn't give them my residencia unless they asked for it, as it looked like I had just come into the country as a new resident. Sure enough, it all went through.
After typing all that, as previously mentioned, a right hand drive van is a definite No! So I hope yours is LHD... Oh, and it will be expensive!
Edited by mickrick on Friday 15th November 23:22
If you do decide to use a company to oversee your car registration in Spain, be careful.
I unfortunately used a "professional" company who despite me repeatedly reminding them that I was moving a car from one EU country to another continually made references in emails to import duties and V5's.
They put it through as a straightforward import, not a relocation so cost me a lot of time messing around removing my towbar, having the car tested, getting the towbar refitted, legalised including obtaining a separate CofC specifically for the towbar then having it tested again.
They also refuse to provide you with an itemised invoice for their services saying it would reveal business secrets!
If you want to know who to avoid drop me a pm.....
I unfortunately used a "professional" company who despite me repeatedly reminding them that I was moving a car from one EU country to another continually made references in emails to import duties and V5's.
They put it through as a straightforward import, not a relocation so cost me a lot of time messing around removing my towbar, having the car tested, getting the towbar refitted, legalised including obtaining a separate CofC specifically for the towbar then having it tested again.
They also refuse to provide you with an itemised invoice for their services saying it would reveal business secrets!
If you want to know who to avoid drop me a pm.....
Rushjob said:
If you do decide to use a company to oversee your car registration in Spain, be careful.
I unfortunately used a "professional" company who despite me repeatedly reminding them that I was moving a car from one EU country to another continually made references in emails to import duties and V5's.
They put it through as a straightforward import, not a relocation so cost me a lot of time messing around removing my towbar, having the car tested, getting the towbar refitted, legalised including obtaining a separate CofC specifically for the towbar then having it tested again.
They also refuse to provide you with an itemised invoice for their services saying it would reveal business secrets!
If you want to know who to avoid drop me a pm.....
We bought a holiday home in the hills in 2000. Not speaking Spanish, I employed a Brit to do some renovation work. A complete and utter disaster, fortunately my financial loss was comparatively small.I unfortunately used a "professional" company who despite me repeatedly reminding them that I was moving a car from one EU country to another continually made references in emails to import duties and V5's.
They put it through as a straightforward import, not a relocation so cost me a lot of time messing around removing my towbar, having the car tested, getting the towbar refitted, legalised including obtaining a separate CofC specifically for the towbar then having it tested again.
They also refuse to provide you with an itemised invoice for their services saying it would reveal business secrets!
If you want to know who to avoid drop me a pm.....
Consequently, when I moved to France and again now down here in Spain, I always employ a local person. Just because someone speaks the same language as you, it does not mean they have skill or are honest.
When it comes to administration, I always imagine that a conversation between Pedro and Diego, goes a lot more smoothly than between Pedro and Harry.
OP a smart move to sell in France and buy something here. My mate still does not have his Targa.
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