Index
What does the registration cost include?
DGT registration fee
Registration tax (IEDMT): the most variable cost
Road tax (IVTM)
Number plates
Agency: how much it costs to outsource the procedure
How much does it cost to register an imported car?
Summary table of costs by vehicle type
How the registration cost affects the margin of a transaction
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the registration cost include?
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 "0 km" car that must be registered before resale, the registration cost reduces the available margin and must be calculated before setting the sale price. When advising the customer on a sale, knowing the breakdown avoids misunderstandings and reinforces buyer confidence.
The five items making up 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 registration plate letters affect the perceived value of the car, you can check out the article on the latest DGT registration plate in 2026.
DGT registration fee
It is the only fixed cost in the process: €99.77 for passenger cars in 2026, regardless of the vehicle, its emissions, or the municipality. This fee includes registering the vehicle in the official database, assigning the registration number, and issuing the logbook (permiso de circulación).
It is paid directly to the DGT through the electronic headquarters (Sede Electrónica) or at the Traffic Headquarters (Jefaturas de Tráfico). In most transactions handled by agencies, 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 item that varies the most and, for many vehicles, is the highest. It is calculated by applying a tax rate to the taxable value of the vehicle according to 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 pay is €950.
The same vehicle with 180 g/km would be taxed at 9.75%: €1,950. The difference between buying a car with 150 g/km and one with 180 g/km is €1,000 in registration tax alone, with the same selling price.
Exempt or subsidised vehicles:
Electric cars (0 g/km of CO₂ in the WLTP cycle) are 100% exempt. Plug-in hybrids are taxed according to their approved emissions. Registered disabled individuals have a full exemption 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 people.
The IEDMT applies only on first registration. In the buying and selling of used vehicles already registered in Spain, the buyer pays ITP (Property Transfer Tax, not IEDMT). The IEDMT only appears 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 city council. Its amount varies according to the fiscal horsepower of the vehicle and the municipality where it is registered.
The usual range for passenger cars oscillates between €60 and €200 annually. In big 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 the vehicle is registered. To understand who bears this cost in different types of transactions, you can check out the article on who pays municipal road tax in the trade of a car.
Some city councils offer discounts of up to 75% on the IVTM for electric or low-emission vehicles. It is advisable to check local regulations before registering.
Number plates
Once the DGT assigns the registration number, the physical plates must be installed before driving. The cost ranges from €20 to €40 depending on the material and the supplier.
The most common options are aluminium (more affordable) and acrylic (more durable). In most dealership deals, this cost is already included in the handling price.
Agency: how much it costs to outsource the procedure
Although the process can be done directly with the DGT, most dealerships delegate the registration to a specialised agency (gestoría). The cost of agency fees ranges from €100 to €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 procedure), and availability (they can manage several vehicles simultaneously without the dealership having to travel).
For simple vehicles with all documentation in order, the procedure on the DGT electronic headquarters is accessible to anyone with a digital certificate and time. For imports or vehicles with complex history, using an agency is almost always the most efficient option.
How much does it cost to register an imported car?
Importing a vehicle adds costs and procedures that do not exist when registering a car purchased in Spain.
Additional costs include: individual MOT (ITV) approval (if the model is not homologated as a series in Spain, 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 of non-EU origin or with complex approvals.
To understand the full import process including all costs, you can review the guide on how to import a second-hand vehicle to resell.
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 |
MOT approval | — | — | €200 – €600 |
Estimated total | €280 – €640 | €680 – €2,840 | €980 – €3,340 |
These ranges are indicative. The final amount depends on the municipality, the taxable value of the vehicle, and the terms of the agreement with the agency.
How the registration cost affects the margin of a transaction
For a dealership working with new, km 0, or imported vehicles, the registration cost is an item of the acquisition cost that must be calculated before setting the selling price.
The most common mistake is not including the IEDMT in the margin calculation, especially on cars with emissions above 120 g/km. A €25,000 vehicle with 160 g/km carries an IEDMT of €2,437.50 which directly reduces the margin if it was not planned for during purchasing.
The correct practice is to calculate the total road-ready cost (purchase price + DGT fee + IEDMT + IVTM + agency + plates) and use it as a base to set the sale price, securing the target margin from the start.
To see how to integrate these costs into the calculation of the gross and net margin of 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, the 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 schedule a free demo on 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 under 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 on first registration in Spain. Used cars already registered pay ITP (Property Transfer Tax) upon changing ownership, not IEDMT.
How much do number plates cost?
Between €20 and €40 depending on the material. In dealership operations, this cost is usually included in the handling price.
Can you register a car without an agency?
Yes, directly through the DGT electronic headquarters using a digital certificate. For simple transactions with complete documentation, it is perfectly viable. For imports or cases with issues, using an agency is more efficient.
Is road tax (IVTM) paid in full even if registered in December?
Yes. Road tax (IVTM) is paid for the full calendar year regardless of the registration date. There is no pro-rata.
Index
What does the registration cost include?
DGT registration fee
Registration tax (IEDMT): the most variable cost
Road tax (IVTM)
Number plates
Agency: how much it costs to outsource the procedure
How much does it cost to register an imported car?
Summary table of costs by vehicle type
How the registration cost affects the margin of a transaction
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the registration cost include?
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 "0 km" car that must be registered before resale, the registration cost reduces the available margin and must be calculated before setting the sale price. When advising the customer on a sale, knowing the breakdown avoids misunderstandings and reinforces buyer confidence.
The five items making up 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 registration plate letters affect the perceived value of the car, you can check out the article on the latest DGT registration plate in 2026.
DGT registration fee
It is the only fixed cost in the process: €99.77 for passenger cars in 2026, regardless of the vehicle, its emissions, or the municipality. This fee includes registering the vehicle in the official database, assigning the registration number, and issuing the logbook (permiso de circulación).
It is paid directly to the DGT through the electronic headquarters (Sede Electrónica) or at the Traffic Headquarters (Jefaturas de Tráfico). In most transactions handled by agencies, 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 item that varies the most and, for many vehicles, is the highest. It is calculated by applying a tax rate to the taxable value of the vehicle according to 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 pay is €950.
The same vehicle with 180 g/km would be taxed at 9.75%: €1,950. The difference between buying a car with 150 g/km and one with 180 g/km is €1,000 in registration tax alone, with the same selling price.
Exempt or subsidised vehicles:
Electric cars (0 g/km of CO₂ in the WLTP cycle) are 100% exempt. Plug-in hybrids are taxed according to their approved emissions. Registered disabled individuals have a full exemption 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 people.
The IEDMT applies only on first registration. In the buying and selling of used vehicles already registered in Spain, the buyer pays ITP (Property Transfer Tax, not IEDMT). The IEDMT only appears 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 city council. Its amount varies according to the fiscal horsepower of the vehicle and the municipality where it is registered.
The usual range for passenger cars oscillates between €60 and €200 annually. In big 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 the vehicle is registered. To understand who bears this cost in different types of transactions, you can check out the article on who pays municipal road tax in the trade of a car.
Some city councils offer discounts of up to 75% on the IVTM for electric or low-emission vehicles. It is advisable to check local regulations before registering.
Number plates
Once the DGT assigns the registration number, the physical plates must be installed before driving. The cost ranges from €20 to €40 depending on the material and the supplier.
The most common options are aluminium (more affordable) and acrylic (more durable). In most dealership deals, this cost is already included in the handling price.
Agency: how much it costs to outsource the procedure
Although the process can be done directly with the DGT, most dealerships delegate the registration to a specialised agency (gestoría). The cost of agency fees ranges from €100 to €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 procedure), and availability (they can manage several vehicles simultaneously without the dealership having to travel).
For simple vehicles with all documentation in order, the procedure on the DGT electronic headquarters is accessible to anyone with a digital certificate and time. For imports or vehicles with complex history, using an agency is almost always the most efficient option.
How much does it cost to register an imported car?
Importing a vehicle adds costs and procedures that do not exist when registering a car purchased in Spain.
Additional costs include: individual MOT (ITV) approval (if the model is not homologated as a series in Spain, 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 of non-EU origin or with complex approvals.
To understand the full import process including all costs, you can review the guide on how to import a second-hand vehicle to resell.
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 |
MOT approval | — | — | €200 – €600 |
Estimated total | €280 – €640 | €680 – €2,840 | €980 – €3,340 |
These ranges are indicative. The final amount depends on the municipality, the taxable value of the vehicle, and the terms of the agreement with the agency.
How the registration cost affects the margin of a transaction
For a dealership working with new, km 0, or imported vehicles, the registration cost is an item of the acquisition cost that must be calculated before setting the selling price.
The most common mistake is not including the IEDMT in the margin calculation, especially on cars with emissions above 120 g/km. A €25,000 vehicle with 160 g/km carries an IEDMT of €2,437.50 which directly reduces the margin if it was not planned for during purchasing.
The correct practice is to calculate the total road-ready cost (purchase price + DGT fee + IEDMT + IVTM + agency + plates) and use it as a base to set the sale price, securing the target margin from the start.
To see how to integrate these costs into the calculation of the gross and net margin of 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, the 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 schedule a free demo on 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 under 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 on first registration in Spain. Used cars already registered pay ITP (Property Transfer Tax) upon changing ownership, not IEDMT.
How much do number plates cost?
Between €20 and €40 depending on the material. In dealership operations, this cost is usually included in the handling price.
Can you register a car without an agency?
Yes, directly through the DGT electronic headquarters using a digital certificate. For simple transactions with complete documentation, it is perfectly viable. For imports or cases with issues, using an agency is more efficient.
Is road tax (IVTM) paid in full even if registered in December?
Yes. Road tax (IVTM) is paid for the full calendar year regardless of the registration date. There is no pro-rata.
