If you have bought a vehicle abroad, have not yet been able to register it in Spain, or need to move it before the final paperwork is complete, green plates can be the way to circulate legally on a temporary basis. The DGT allows you to request a temporary circulation permit in this format in specific cases, but it is not a general substitute for the final registration.
It is worth clearly identifying the use case before starting the procedure: a vehicle pending registration in Spain is not the same as one deregistered for export or one that only needs a temporary transfer. In addition, fees, forms, deadlines and criteria may change, so it is always wise to check the current information on the official DGT website before submitting the application.
What green plates are and what they are for
Green plates are a temporary circulation authorization. The DGT provides for them for vehicles that are not yet registered in Spain and also for vehicles deregistered for export. Their function is to allow limited use while the relevant procedure is completed, but they are not equivalent to the final registration permit and do not replace it permanently. [source_numbers:[1,2,3]] [1] [2]
In practice, this permit is useful when the vehicle physically exists, but the administrative part is still missing: final registration, export or a specific transfer. The key point is to identify the exact case, because the documentation and the duration of the permit vary depending on the situation. [source_numbers:[1,2]] [1] [2]
- They allow temporary circulation.
- They do not replace final registration.
- They are used in specific cases: pending registration or export.
When a temporary registration can be requested
The DGT states that it can be requested for vehicles pending final registration, for vehicles that are going to leave Spain, or for certain transfers prior to registration. It also distinguishes the case of new vehicles registered in the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla when they have been bought in another province. In that case, the stated general validity is 10 days; for vehicles pending final registration, the general reference is 60 days. [source_numbers:[1,2]] [1] [2]
If the aim is to transfer the vehicle to another country or within the European Union, the DGT indicates that it must first be deregistered for export. It is important not to mix this procedure with ordinary registration in Spain, because the administrative framework changes and so does the purpose of the temporary permit. [source_numbers:[1,2,3]] [1] [2]
- Pending final registration in Spain.
- Transfer or export, where deregistration for export applies.
- Special cases in the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla when bought in another province.
What documents the DGT asks for
In general, the DGT requests the official application form, proof of the current fee payment, the ordinary registration file where applicable, and proof of vehicle ownership. In cases of green plates for final registration, the temporary process is linked to the submission of that ordinary registration, so it usually does not make sense to apply for it in isolation if the main file is not yet ready. [source_numbers:[1,3,4]] [1] [3]
The DGT also reminds applicants that the vehicle must be insured and have a valid ITV inspection in order to circulate with green plates. If the application is submitted by an authorized person, it may be filed on behalf of the holder; and in the case of companies, the DGT processes this procedure electronically. It is essential to always check the exact documentation for the specific case, as there may be nuances depending on the type of vehicle or the purpose of the transfer. [source_numbers:[1,2,5]] [1] [2]
- Application on the official form.
- Proof of payment of the current fee.
- Proof of ownership.
- Ordinary registration file, where applicable.
How the process works and what use limits apply
The application can be submitted in person or online, depending on the case, and the DGT allows electronic identification using a digital certificate, DNIe or Cl@ve when the procedure is completed online. Once the permit is granted, the green plates must be fitted before driving. It is not enough to have started the file: the vehicle must display the authorization and continue to meet the insurance and ITV requirements. [source_numbers:[1,2,4]] [1] [2]
Its temporary nature means several precautions. If the vehicle has already obtained final registration, the General Vehicle Regulations require the temporary permit and plates to be handed over to the traffic authority. It is also worth remembering that the authorization is not intended for any indiscriminate use, but for the cases provided for by the regulations and by the DGT. [source_numbers:[2,3]] [2] [3]
- Online or in-person submission, depending on the case.
- Use a digital certificate, DNIe or Cl@ve if filing online.
- Fit the plates before driving.
- Hand in the permit and plates once final registration exists.
Practical steps to avoid mistakes with the procedure
Before starting anything, it is best to follow a simple sequence. First, identify the exact case: imported vehicle not yet registered, vehicle with a non-Spanish registration, or transfer/export. Second, check whether you can already request final registration at the same time, because in the case of green plates for registration in Spain the temporary process is linked to the main file. Third, gather the basic documents required and verify that insurance and the ITV are valid. [source_numbers:[1,2,5]] [1] [2]
Then submit the procedure through the available channel and check the expiry date so it does not lapse. If the final process is not ready in time, the DGT allows for an extension in the cases provided for, but it should not be assumed to happen automatically. The practical recommendation is not to use green plates as an indefinite solution, but as an administrative bridge between the purchase, the transfer and the final registration. [source_numbers:[1,3,4]] [1] [3]
- Identify the exact case.
- Check whether you can already start the final registration.
- Gather the application, fee payment, ownership proof and the relevant file.
- Make sure insurance and ITV are valid before driving.
Frequently asked questions
Do green plates allow any imported vehicle to be driven?
No. The DGT provides for them in specific cases: vehicles pending registration in Spain or deregistered for export, among other regulated cases. They are not a general authorization for any use and do not replace final registration.
How long do green plates last?
The general reference given by the DGT is 60 days for vehicles pending final registration. In the case of new vehicles registered in the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla and bought in another province, the stated validity is 10 days. It is advisable to always check the official validity, as the criteria may change.
Can I request them if the vehicle is going to leave Spain?
Yes, but the DGT states that to move it to the European Union or abroad the vehicle must first be deregistered for export. That is why it is important to separate this procedure from final registration and check the correct framework before requesting it.