Extended Tour In Spain

TonyOS
TonyOS Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited December 2015 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Now that my partner and I are retired we have started planning an extended tour of Spain.  We had hoped to stay in Spain for a year, touring for 9 months and spending 3 months (winter) in one place in the south.  But, I am reading on various forums that
I can take my car into Spain for a maximum of only 6 month.  Can anone tell me if this is correct and is there any way around it to stay for a year?  What about moving from one EU country to another? Has anyone done any extended touring like this?  I am now
quite confused about the regulations.  Thank you.

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #2

    It's 6 months in each calendar year. So if you go in June you can have 6 months in 2016 then the next 6 months in 2017 - and still be legal. And if you overstep the mark you won't be the first to do that. 

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #3

    All the information is
    here    . As is said above it is a 'calendar year' so the only way you can get continuous use is from 1st July through to 30 June the following year. Having said that, you'd be surprised at the number of Brit cars on the Costa Blanca that flout this regulation
    although the Guardia have tried to clamp down on it of recent years.

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
    100 Comments
    edited December 2015 #4

    You could wander in and out ofPortugal!!!

  • engineman1947
    engineman1947 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited December 2015 #5

    I wouldn;t encourage you to flout the rules Tony but  believe me you would be just one of thousands doing just that.I can speak from first hand experience. I wouldn.t  worry about it paticulaly if you are moving around

  • oldagetraveller
    oldagetraveller Forum Participant Posts: 142
    edited December 2015 #6

    Yes, the limit is 6 months, but itseems to me to be completely unenforceable.  As the borders are open they have no way of knowing how long you have been in the country unless they want to trawl through thousands of VPN images.  I suppose they might if you
    were involved in some criminal activity or serious driving offence.  We have had long periods in Spain with our caravan although never longer than 6 months, but that was simply because we like to travel.  We did meet one guy who was a permanent resident who
    got round it by having a friend in France and a friend in England send him a petrol receipt occasionally.  Not that I would encourage you to break the law of course.  My own opinion and if it were me I would ignore the rule.  Not that I want to dodge their
    road tax, but because they get more out of me from  taxes on campsite profits, supermarket profits, restaurant and bar profits and road tolls than they would if I left after 6 months, not to mention the income and work I would be providing for those looking
    after me!  That would ease my conscience for breaking the law.

    Spain is such a wonderful country and it is far far more than the Costas.  Head inland in autumn and spring, when the weather is pleasant, then when it gets too hot move north and west to the Costa Verde which has its rare dry season in July and August. 
    In winter the centre gets very very cold, so head for the coast.  The Costas are the best for climate, but they are a bit crowded for us.  We prefer the Atlantic coast between Gibraltar and Cadiz.  Windy at times but miles and miles of deserted beaches and
    temparate weather.

    Feel free to have a look at our blogs here.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #7

    If anyone is interested in the history of Spain, the final episode of "Blood and Gold" is on BBC4 tonight. Previous episodes on iPlayer.

  • Geejay
    Geejay Forum Participant Posts: 232
    100 Comments
    edited December 2015 #8

    One thing you may wish to consider is how to ensure your GB VED is renewed on time, and if your vehicle is over 3 years old how to ensure your MOT is valid.

    There was a story on another forum of someone whose motorhome was impounded as both had run out.  Re-taxing is fairly simple, but an MOT is tricky.

  • oldagetraveller
    oldagetraveller Forum Participant Posts: 142
    edited December 2015 #9

    One thing you may wish to consider is how to ensure your GB VED is renewed on time, and if your vehicle is over 3 years old how to ensure your MOT is valid.

    There was a story on another forum of someone whose motorhome was impounded as both had run out.  Re-taxing is fairly simple, but an MOT is tricky.

    we had our car MOT'd early, just before we set off, to ensure there was cover for when we were away.  It is possible to get the Spanish equivalent of an MOT, which I understand is far stricter, but although it would reassure you that your car is safe it
    will not be adequate for your insurance company and will invalidate your policy if your British MOT has expired..

    If however you have a newer car which does not need an MOT, it is possible to have a routine service at a dealer in Spain to keep your warranty valid.  I did this in Spain, Italy and France with my Hyundai during its first five years. If it is a major service
    check that their schedule matches yours.  Cars sold in warmer climes have a different service schedule.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #10

    The ITV ( Spanish MOT) is only applicable to cars having or being registered in Spain. Having the same checks as an ITV may give peace of mind but would have no legal validity.

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