Honest Advice First
Before arranging temporary import car insurance, check whether your existing UK or EU insurance policy provides valid third-party cover in Spain for the 90-day registration period. Many do — and using your existing policy avoids the cost of a separate temporary policy (€150–€400 for 90 days). Only arrange temporary import cover if your current policy genuinely does not cover you in Spain.
Temporary import car insurance in Spain — third-party cover for EU and UK registered vehicles during the Spanish registration (matriculación) process. Generali policies arranged by Turner Insurance Specialists, Jávea. Call 966 461 625 for advice.
What is Temporary Import Car Insurance?
When you bring a car from the UK or EU to Spain and start the process of re-registering it on Spanish plates, your vehicle is in a legal grey area — it still has foreign registration but you are living in Spain. Temporary import car insurance provides the mandatory third-party liability cover required by Spanish law during this transition period.
The policy can only be issued once the import process has officially started — you need a document from the relevant Spanish authority (typically Hacienda or Tráfico) confirming that the matriculación process is underway.
What it Covers
✅ Third-party liability (compulsory minimum cover under Spanish law)
✅ Allows vehicle to be driven legally on Spanish roads
✅ Covers EU and UK registered vehicles
✅ Up to 90 days duration
✅ Extendable with proof of registration delay
What it Does NOT Cover
❌ Comprehensive damage cover
❌ Theft protection
❌ Glass cover
❌ Legal defence (standard policies)
❌ Breakdown and roadside assistance
❌ Courtesy car
❌ Non-EU / non-UK registered vehicles
Countries Covered
✅ All 27 EU member states
✅ United Kingdom (post-Brexit)
❌ USA, Canada and non-EU countries — not eligible for this product
Cost — An Honest Assessment
Temporary import car insurance costs approximately €150–€400 for 90 days. This is comparable to, or more expensive than, a full annual Spanish insurance policy for a properly registered vehicle.
This is a last resort product — if your existing UK or EU insurance provides valid third-party cover in Spain, use that. Once the vehicle is on Spanish plates, Turner Insurance can arrange a full Generali E11 comprehensive policy that provides far superior cover at similar or lower annual cost.
Extension Process
If the registration process takes longer than 90 days (which can happen due to backlogs at the ITV testing station, Hacienda processing times, or administrative delays), the temporary policy may be extended. You must provide:
Written confirmation from the relevant Spanish authority (Tráfico, Hacienda, or ITV centre) that the import process is underway
A clear explanation of the reason for the delay
Evidence of the expected completion date
Extensions are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are not automatic.
Next step: Once your vehicle is on Spanish plates, contact us immediately for a full Generali E11 comprehensive policy. See our full car insurance page for details on E11 benefits including courtesy car, protected no claims bonus and zero kilometre breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions — Temporary Import Car Insurance Spain
Temporary import car insurance is needed by expats who have brought a vehicle from an EU or UK registration into Spain and are in the process of re-registering it on Spanish plates (matriculación). The policy covers the vehicle while it still bears its foreign registration, bridging the gap between starting the import process and completing the Spanish registration.
Temporary import car insurance is third-party liability cover only — it meets the Spanish legal minimum. It does not include: comprehensive damage cover, glass cover, legal defence (in most cases), or breakdown cover. It is purely designed to allow the vehicle to be driven legally in Spain during the import registration period.
The maximum duration is 90 days (three months). This aligns with the typical timeframe for completing the Spanish registration process (matriculación). The policy cannot be extended beyond 90 days except in exceptional circumstances where a delay in the import process can be evidenced by documentation from the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico or equivalent authority.
Yes — but only in genuine exceptional circumstances where the import/registration process is delayed beyond the initial 90-day period. To extend, you must provide written confirmation from the relevant Spanish authority (Tráfico, Hacienda, or similar) showing that the import process is underway and explaining the reason for the delay. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis and are not automatic.
To arrange temporary import car insurance, you need: proof that the import process has started (a document from the Spanish authorities confirming the registration process is underway — typically from Hacienda or Tráfico), the vehicle registration document from the country of origin, your driving licence, your passport or NIE, and the vehicle's technical specifications for insurance rating purposes.
Yes — in most cases, if your existing UK or EU vehicle insurance provides valid cover in Spain for the 90-day period, it is more cost-effective to continue using that policy during the import process and then take out a full Generali E11 or Standard Spanish policy once the vehicle is on Spanish plates. Temporary import insurance costs €150–€400 for 90 days which is similar to or more than a full annual Spanish policy. We recommend exploring whether your existing cover can bridge the gap before committing to a temporary import policy.
Temporary import car insurance through Generali in Spain covers vehicles originally registered in EU member states and the United Kingdom. Vehicles from outside the EU and UK (including USA, Canada, and non-EU countries) are not eligible for this product and require specialist import insurance. The import process itself (matriculación) is also more complex for non-EU vehicles.
Temporary import car insurance in Spain costs approximately €150–€400 for the 90-day policy period. This reflects the risk profile of insuring a foreign-registered vehicle during a transition period. To put this in context, a full annual Generali E11 comprehensive policy for a normally registered vehicle can cost a similar amount for a full year. This is why we recommend using your existing foreign insurance if possible, and only taking out temporary import cover if your existing policy does not provide valid cover in Spain.
If the Spanish registration (matriculación) is not completed within 90 days, you must stop driving the vehicle on public roads until either: the temporary policy is extended (with valid documentation proving the delay), the vehicle is successfully re-registered on Spanish plates and a full Spanish insurance policy is in place, or you arrange alternative transport. Driving without valid insurance in Spain is a serious offence and can result in fines of up to €3,000 and vehicle impoundment.