UK car - European long term driving
We have a UK registered vehicle that we wish to take regularly to Spain, France & Portugal.
Is there an insurance company that will cover more than 90 days away in any year?
We have property in Spain and are about to purchase a property in Portugal - we know that the law changed last year in Spain and that for a one off payment of a matriculation tax (but we do not need to change the registration plate) we can legally drive the car in Spain for more than one month - is there a similar law in Portugal?
If the car is abroad when the MOT is due can it be covered by a local similar test? (and then have a UK test pre-booked for its arrival back in UK).
We are not exporting the car at this stage (that may happen in future years) so if the car is abroad for most of a year how do we get on with road taxation - if, as now, we are paying the annual road tax in UK will that cover us in Europe?
Is there an insurance company that will cover more than 90 days away in any year?
We have property in Spain and are about to purchase a property in Portugal - we know that the law changed last year in Spain and that for a one off payment of a matriculation tax (but we do not need to change the registration plate) we can legally drive the car in Spain for more than one month - is there a similar law in Portugal?
If the car is abroad when the MOT is due can it be covered by a local similar test? (and then have a UK test pre-booked for its arrival back in UK).
We are not exporting the car at this stage (that may happen in future years) so if the car is abroad for most of a year how do we get on with road taxation - if, as now, we are paying the annual road tax in UK will that cover us in Europe?
Asked on 18 June 2012 by Bob S
Answered by
Honest John
You can legally drive a car registered in an EU state in another EU state for 6 months in any 12 month period. No, a Spanish MoT is not valid in the UK. There is a specialist insurer, but best advice from www.spainvia.com/motoringinspain.htm
Tags:
insurance
driving abroad
We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.
Insurance group finder and how to save on insuranceSimilar questions
We are taking delivery of a brand new VW campervan and planning on taking it to Europe in September.
The VW warranty provides breakdown cover in Europe for 3 years but I don't believe it extends to repatriation...
I received a €45 fine in Calais when I triggered a speed camera. I paid this immediately on receiving the notification through the post and did not incur any points on my licence. During a conversation...
I'm going to the U.S. for a couple of weeks and a relative has said I can use their car while I'm there. How do I make sure I'm fully insured while using it? Can I drive on their insurance or will my own...
![2017 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ-T [Urban Pack] 5dr Auto](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/120a0641e8e3014090d19b0df267a928/e4e1aa43201ba5c5265091578a7a92b9.jpg)
.jpg)
