Import a Car from Spain to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for Spain imports
Calculate Import VRT →Spain Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from Spain.
Importing from Spain to Ireland
EU member, 0% customs duty. VRT and 23% VAT apply.
The VRT itself is the same CO2-based calculation used for every Irish import. What changes with Spain is the customs duty and the currency conversion (prices are typically quoted in EUR). Always budget for VRT plus customs duty plus 23% VAT when calculating your total landed cost.
Step-by-step Spain import process
- Buy the vehicle and obtain the registration document and proof of purchase.
- Arrange shipping/transport to Ireland.
- Clear customs and pay any duty (0% (EU member)) and Irish VAT at 23%.
- Book a VRT appointment and present the Certificate of Conformity with CO2 and NOx data.
- Revenue assesses OMSP, charges VRT, and you receive Irish plates.
Spain Import Cost Example
For a car with an Irish OMSP of EUR 40,000 and CO2 of 140g/km (20% band), the VRT would be EUR 8,000 before age depreciation. Add customs duty of 0% (EU member) on the value and 23% Irish VAT on the combined figure. Use the calculator above to model your specific vehicle.
Spain Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to Spain imports?
Customs duty from Spain is 0% (EU member). It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a Spain car?
VRT uses the Irish OMSP and the CO2-based bands, identical to any other import. The country of origin only affects customs duty and VAT, not the VRT rate.
Do I pay VAT on a Spain import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.