Index
What the registration cost includes
DGT registration fee
Registration tax (IEDMT): the most variable cost
Road tax (IVTM)
Number plates
Agency: how much it costs to delegate the process
How much it costs to register an imported car
Summary table of costs by vehicle type
How registration costs affect the margin of a transaction
Frequently Asked Questions
What the registration cost includes
Registering a car is not just about paying for the plates. The process includes several items that add up differently depending on the type of vehicle, its emissions, and the municipality where it is registered.
For a dealership, this cost matters at two different times. When buying a new or pre-registered car that must be registered before reselling, the registration cost reduces the available margin and must be calculated before setting the selling price. When advising a customer on a sale, knowing the breakdown avoids misunderstandings and builds buyer trust.
The five components of the total cost are: the DGT fee, the registration tax (IEDMT), the road tax (IVTM), the physical plates, and, optionally, the agency fees.
To understand how the letters on the registration plate affect the perceived value of the car, you can read the article on the latest DGT registration plate in 2026.
DGT registration fee
This is the only fixed cost of the process: €99.77 for passenger cars in 2026, regardless of the vehicle, its emissions, or the municipality. This fee covers registering the vehicle on the official registry, assigning the registration number, and issuing the logbook.
It is paid directly to the DGT through the electronic office or at Traffic Headquarters. In most operations managed by an agency, it is included in the total quote.
Registration tax (IEDMT): the most variable cost
The Special Tax on Certain Means of Transport (IEDMT) is the most variable item and, for many vehicles, the highest. It is calculated by applying a tax rate to the taxable value of the vehicle based on its CO₂ emissions (WLTP cycle):
CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | Tax rate |
|---|---|
Up to 120 g/km | 0% — Exempt |
From 121 to 159 g/km | 4.75% |
From 160 to 199 g/km | 9.75% |
More than 200 g/km | 14.75% |
Example calculation:
A vehicle with a taxable value of €20,000 and emissions of 150 g/km is taxed at 4.75%. The IEDMT to be paid is €950.
The same vehicle with 180 g/km would be taxed at 9.75%: €1,950. The difference between buying a 150 g/km car and a 180 g/km car is €1,000 in registration tax alone, for the same sale price.
Exempt or subsidised vehicles:
Electric cars (0 g/km of CO₂ in WLTP cycle) are 100% exempt. Plug-in hybrids are taxed according to their approved emissions. Certified disabled individuals are fully exempt if the vehicle is adapted for their use. For full details on this exemption, you can consult the guide on reduced VAT and IEDMT for disabled individuals.
The IEDMT applies only to the first registration. When buying or selling used vehicles already registered in Spain, the buyer pays ITP (Property Transfer Tax, not IEDMT). The IEDMT only applies when registering a new vehicle or importing one that was not previously registered in Spain.
Road tax (IVTM)
The Tax on Mechanical Traction Vehicles (IVTM) is managed by each local council. The amount varies according to the tax horsepower of the vehicle and the municipality where it is registered.
The typical range for passenger cars is between €60 and €200 per year. In major cities like Madrid or Barcelona, rates are higher than in small municipalities.
This tax must be paid in order to complete the registration. It is paid for the full year, regardless of the date of the year when the vehicle is registered. To understand who bears this cost in different types of transactions, you can review the article on who pays the municipal tax in a car sale.
Some local councils offer discounts of up to 75% on the road tax (IVTM) for electric or low-emission vehicles. It is advisable to check local regulations before registering.
Number plates
Once the DGT has assigned the registration number, the physical plates must be fitted before driving. The cost ranges between €20 and €40 depending on the material and the supplier.
The most common options are aluminium (cheaper) and acrylic (more durable). In most dealership sales, this cost is already included in the administration fee.
Agency: how much it costs to delegate the process
Although the process can be done directly with the DGT, most dealerships delegate the registration to a specialised agency (gestoría). The cost of these management fees ranges between €100 and €300 depending on the complexity of the operation and the agency.
The advantages of using an agency are speed (they know the process and avoid errors that cause delays), traceability (they monitor the status of the process), and availability (they can manage multiple vehicles at once without the dealership staff having to travel).
For straightforward vehicles with all documents in order, registering through the DGT electronic office is accessible to anyone with a digital certificate and time. For imports or vehicles with a complex history, an agency is almost always the most efficient choice.
How much it costs to register an imported car
Importing a vehicle adds costs and procedures that do not apply when registering a car purchased in Spain.
The extra costs are: individual type-approval ITV (if the model is not type-approved in Spain as part of a series, it can exceed €400-600), customs DUA (if the vehicle comes from outside the EU), and possibly transport costs to the registration point.
The total cost of registering an imported car is usually between €600 and €1,500, and can exceed that figure for vehicles from outside the EU or with complex type-approvals.
To understand the full import process, including all costs, you can review the guide on how to import a second-hand vehicle for resale.
Summary table of costs by vehicle type
Item | New car (low emissions) | New car (medium emissions) | Imported car |
|---|---|---|---|
DGT Fee | 99.77 € | 99.77 € | 99.77 € |
IEDMT | 0 € | 400 – 2,000 € | 400 – 2,000 € |
IVTM | 60 – 200 € | 60 – 200 € | 60 – 200 € |
Plates | 20 – 40 € | 20 – 40 € | 20 – 40 € |
Agency | 100 – 300 € | 100 – 300 € | 200 – 400 € |
Type-approval ITV | — | — | 200 – 600 € |
Estimated Total | 280 – 640 € | 680 – 2,840 € | 980 – 3,340 € |
These ranges are guidelines. The final amount depends on the municipality, the taxable value of the vehicle, and the terms of the agreement with the agency.
How registration costs affect the margin of a transaction
For a dealership working with new, pre-registered, or imported vehicles, the registration cost is an acquisition cost component that must be calculated before setting the selling price.
The most common mistake is not including the IEDMT in the margin calculation, especially for cars with emissions above 120 g/km. A €25,000 vehicle with 160 g/km incurs an IEDMT of €2,437.50, which directly reduces the margin if it was not planned for at purchase.
The correct practice is to calculate the total on-the-road cost (purchase price + DGT fee + IEDMT + IVTM + agency + plates) and use it as a base to set the selling price, securing the target margin from the start.
To see how to integrate these costs into the calculation of the gross and net margin for each transaction, you can review the guide on how to calculate the margin on second-hand cars.
More than 750 dealerships already use Dealcar to manage their daily operations
Dealcar allows you to record the registration cost of each vehicle on its file, including the DGT fee, IEDMT, and agency fees, automatically calculating the total acquisition cost and the margin available for sale.
If you want to see how it works, you can book a free demo at dealcar.io.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to register a new car in Spain?
Between €280 and €640 for cars with emissions below 120 g/km (exempt from IEDMT). For cars with higher emissions, the cost can exceed €2,000 if the IEDMT is high.
Do second-hand cars also pay registration tax?
No. The IEDMT only applies to the first registration in Spain. Used cars already registered are taxed under ITP (Property Transfer Tax) upon transfer of ownership, not IEDMT.
How much do number plates cost?
Between €20 and €40 depending on the material. In dealership sales, this cost is usually included in the administration fee.
Can a car be registered without an agency?
Yes, directly through the DGT electronic office using a digital certificate. For straightforward procedures with complete documentation, it is perfectly feasible. For imports or cases with complications, using an agency is more efficient.
Is the IVTM paid in full even if registered in December?
Yes. The IVTM is paid for the full calendar year regardless of the registration date. There is no pro-rata reduction.
Index
What the registration cost includes
DGT registration fee
Registration tax (IEDMT): the most variable cost
Road tax (IVTM)
Number plates
Agency: how much it costs to delegate the process
How much it costs to register an imported car
Summary table of costs by vehicle type
How registration costs affect the margin of a transaction
Frequently Asked Questions
What the registration cost includes
Registering a car is not just about paying for the plates. The process includes several items that add up differently depending on the type of vehicle, its emissions, and the municipality where it is registered.
For a dealership, this cost matters at two different times. When buying a new or pre-registered car that must be registered before reselling, the registration cost reduces the available margin and must be calculated before setting the selling price. When advising a customer on a sale, knowing the breakdown avoids misunderstandings and builds buyer trust.
The five components of the total cost are: the DGT fee, the registration tax (IEDMT), the road tax (IVTM), the physical plates, and, optionally, the agency fees.
To understand how the letters on the registration plate affect the perceived value of the car, you can read the article on the latest DGT registration plate in 2026.
DGT registration fee
This is the only fixed cost of the process: €99.77 for passenger cars in 2026, regardless of the vehicle, its emissions, or the municipality. This fee covers registering the vehicle on the official registry, assigning the registration number, and issuing the logbook.
It is paid directly to the DGT through the electronic office or at Traffic Headquarters. In most operations managed by an agency, it is included in the total quote.
Registration tax (IEDMT): the most variable cost
The Special Tax on Certain Means of Transport (IEDMT) is the most variable item and, for many vehicles, the highest. It is calculated by applying a tax rate to the taxable value of the vehicle based on its CO₂ emissions (WLTP cycle):
CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | Tax rate |
|---|---|
Up to 120 g/km | 0% — Exempt |
From 121 to 159 g/km | 4.75% |
From 160 to 199 g/km | 9.75% |
More than 200 g/km | 14.75% |
Example calculation:
A vehicle with a taxable value of €20,000 and emissions of 150 g/km is taxed at 4.75%. The IEDMT to be paid is €950.
The same vehicle with 180 g/km would be taxed at 9.75%: €1,950. The difference between buying a 150 g/km car and a 180 g/km car is €1,000 in registration tax alone, for the same sale price.
Exempt or subsidised vehicles:
Electric cars (0 g/km of CO₂ in WLTP cycle) are 100% exempt. Plug-in hybrids are taxed according to their approved emissions. Certified disabled individuals are fully exempt if the vehicle is adapted for their use. For full details on this exemption, you can consult the guide on reduced VAT and IEDMT for disabled individuals.
The IEDMT applies only to the first registration. When buying or selling used vehicles already registered in Spain, the buyer pays ITP (Property Transfer Tax, not IEDMT). The IEDMT only applies when registering a new vehicle or importing one that was not previously registered in Spain.
Road tax (IVTM)
The Tax on Mechanical Traction Vehicles (IVTM) is managed by each local council. The amount varies according to the tax horsepower of the vehicle and the municipality where it is registered.
The typical range for passenger cars is between €60 and €200 per year. In major cities like Madrid or Barcelona, rates are higher than in small municipalities.
This tax must be paid in order to complete the registration. It is paid for the full year, regardless of the date of the year when the vehicle is registered. To understand who bears this cost in different types of transactions, you can review the article on who pays the municipal tax in a car sale.
Some local councils offer discounts of up to 75% on the road tax (IVTM) for electric or low-emission vehicles. It is advisable to check local regulations before registering.
Number plates
Once the DGT has assigned the registration number, the physical plates must be fitted before driving. The cost ranges between €20 and €40 depending on the material and the supplier.
The most common options are aluminium (cheaper) and acrylic (more durable). In most dealership sales, this cost is already included in the administration fee.
Agency: how much it costs to delegate the process
Although the process can be done directly with the DGT, most dealerships delegate the registration to a specialised agency (gestoría). The cost of these management fees ranges between €100 and €300 depending on the complexity of the operation and the agency.
The advantages of using an agency are speed (they know the process and avoid errors that cause delays), traceability (they monitor the status of the process), and availability (they can manage multiple vehicles at once without the dealership staff having to travel).
For straightforward vehicles with all documents in order, registering through the DGT electronic office is accessible to anyone with a digital certificate and time. For imports or vehicles with a complex history, an agency is almost always the most efficient choice.
How much it costs to register an imported car
Importing a vehicle adds costs and procedures that do not apply when registering a car purchased in Spain.
The extra costs are: individual type-approval ITV (if the model is not type-approved in Spain as part of a series, it can exceed €400-600), customs DUA (if the vehicle comes from outside the EU), and possibly transport costs to the registration point.
The total cost of registering an imported car is usually between €600 and €1,500, and can exceed that figure for vehicles from outside the EU or with complex type-approvals.
To understand the full import process, including all costs, you can review the guide on how to import a second-hand vehicle for resale.
Summary table of costs by vehicle type
Item | New car (low emissions) | New car (medium emissions) | Imported car |
|---|---|---|---|
DGT Fee | 99.77 € | 99.77 € | 99.77 € |
IEDMT | 0 € | 400 – 2,000 € | 400 – 2,000 € |
IVTM | 60 – 200 € | 60 – 200 € | 60 – 200 € |
Plates | 20 – 40 € | 20 – 40 € | 20 – 40 € |
Agency | 100 – 300 € | 100 – 300 € | 200 – 400 € |
Type-approval ITV | — | — | 200 – 600 € |
Estimated Total | 280 – 640 € | 680 – 2,840 € | 980 – 3,340 € |
These ranges are guidelines. The final amount depends on the municipality, the taxable value of the vehicle, and the terms of the agreement with the agency.
How registration costs affect the margin of a transaction
For a dealership working with new, pre-registered, or imported vehicles, the registration cost is an acquisition cost component that must be calculated before setting the selling price.
The most common mistake is not including the IEDMT in the margin calculation, especially for cars with emissions above 120 g/km. A €25,000 vehicle with 160 g/km incurs an IEDMT of €2,437.50, which directly reduces the margin if it was not planned for at purchase.
The correct practice is to calculate the total on-the-road cost (purchase price + DGT fee + IEDMT + IVTM + agency + plates) and use it as a base to set the selling price, securing the target margin from the start.
To see how to integrate these costs into the calculation of the gross and net margin for each transaction, you can review the guide on how to calculate the margin on second-hand cars.
More than 750 dealerships already use Dealcar to manage their daily operations
Dealcar allows you to record the registration cost of each vehicle on its file, including the DGT fee, IEDMT, and agency fees, automatically calculating the total acquisition cost and the margin available for sale.
If you want to see how it works, you can book a free demo at dealcar.io.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to register a new car in Spain?
Between €280 and €640 for cars with emissions below 120 g/km (exempt from IEDMT). For cars with higher emissions, the cost can exceed €2,000 if the IEDMT is high.
Do second-hand cars also pay registration tax?
No. The IEDMT only applies to the first registration in Spain. Used cars already registered are taxed under ITP (Property Transfer Tax) upon transfer of ownership, not IEDMT.
How much do number plates cost?
Between €20 and €40 depending on the material. In dealership sales, this cost is usually included in the administration fee.
Can a car be registered without an agency?
Yes, directly through the DGT electronic office using a digital certificate. For straightforward procedures with complete documentation, it is perfectly feasible. For imports or cases with complications, using an agency is more efficient.
Is the IVTM paid in full even if registered in December?
Yes. The IVTM is paid for the full calendar year regardless of the registration date. There is no pro-rata reduction.
