Abroad for more than 9 months

shales
shales Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited November 2017 in Motorhomes #1

We are looking to buy a new motorhome in the UK and registered on UK plates,  but our intention is to have the motorhome abroad (mainly Spain)  for 8-9 months a year.

I know in Spain that the rules are that if you have a car in use for over 3 months..  they should be re-registered on Spanish plates...  is this the same rule for motorhomes and then what happens when we come back home?

Any thoughts/advise appreciated

Many Thanks

 

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2017 #2
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited November 2017 #3

    There's a woman lives around the corner from us drives round in a spanish registered VW Touran and has been doing so for five years now. handy for avoiding UK road tax, speeding and parking fines.

    Obviously the authorities have no idea how long she's been doing that, and probably too busy to care.....

    I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to hand the spanish government any money.....

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2017 #4
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  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
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    edited November 2017 #5

    I agree. A cheap flight back every few months seems by far the easiest solution for numerous reasons ....especially if you have a house back in UK.  Assuming two of you, then most efficient for just one to return ....and maybe swap for the next visit back?

    Edit:  Sorry, forgot that OP's main concern is the vehicle, and you have a MH.  Please disregard above.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2017 #6

    I do know someone who full times in their Uk registered m/h. Winter in Spain/Portugal, they move between the 2 counties so staying no more than 3 mths in either county. Rest of year spent in France with 1 trip home in summer months to mot and service the vehicle. Yearly Drs appointments and dentist, check house (rented out) then when all done 2-3 weeks back over the water to France to start it over again. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2017 #7

    I have no idea. Can you not simply go over the Spanish border to France for  a week?

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2017 #8

    There has been a tendency for some who own property on the Costas to leave their cars on UK plates. Of more recent times the Guardia have been taking more of an interest in such practices. Whether they would focus on MH's, which by their nature would be perceived as nomadic, is debatable. If you got pulled over for some other reason, it is conceivable that they may decide to 'have the drains up'. It all depends on your attitude to risk.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2017 #9

    we have sets of friends who stay long term (more than we do) on sites in Spain who do (say) August till Easter (whenever that is each year) and then go 'home' to the uk (without the caravan) for a few months each summer to visit with family....they drive solo and use hotels for stop overs back to Calais.

    they just put the caravan in storage (site close to campsite) for €1 a day!

    they use a local spanish dentist, dont know about doctor or any prescriptions....

    certainly dont go hopping over borders to comply with any rules.

    in fact, i did mention this to one Dutch couple this year who siggested they could stay for a year without issue...?

    ive not researched this but a look at the website linked by WTG will give all the answers you need...

     

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2017 #10

    Shales, you can get motor vehicle  insurance to allow a full year of touring overseas - assuming you will be going from country to country during the year. But EU law says that after 183 days in any one of those countries you should re register your vehicle there.

    So the question which arises is What will be the attitude of your motor vehicle insurer if you make a claim when you are breaking EU law by exceeding 183 days in one country ? 

     

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2017 #11

    Just don't  stay for 183 days in one country wink m/hs have wheels use them and drive around, cross the border for a few weeks you never know you just might like it.

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