Car Insurance in Spain with a Foreign Driving Licence – Non-Resident & New Resident 2026 Guide
A practical 2026 guide explaining how car insurance in Spain works when you have a foreign driving licence, what non-residents need to know, how plate changes affect your cover, and how to avoid common problems with Spanish insurers.
Quick Summary
If you have a foreign driving licence and need car insurance in Spain in 2026, insurers will look at:
- Your licence country (EU/EEA vs non-EU)
- How long you've been in Spain (non-resident vs resident)
- Whether your car has Spanish or foreign plates
- Your driving history and any previous claims
Key points:
- Many insurers can offer car insurance in Spain for foreigners, especially with EU licences
- With non-EU licences, options depend on residence time and whether you have exchanged your licence
- Long-term residents are usually expected to switch to a Spanish licence and Spanish plates
- Non-resident car insurance in Spain is possible but has extra conditions
- An English-speaking broker is often essential to find the right insurer and avoid rejections
Since 2012, ExpatInsurances.es has helped thousands of expats with car insurance in Spain – including non-residents, new residents and drivers with UK, EU and non-EU licences.
Who Is This Guide For?
This 2026 guide is designed for you if:
You've just moved to Spain and still drive with a foreign licence
You own a holiday home and visit with your foreign licence a few times per year
You're planning to register your car on Spanish plates and need insurance
You've seen phrases like "seguro coche carnet extranjero España" and want a clear explanation in English
The rules around residency, licence exchange and plates can feel confusing. Our goal is to give you clear, practical information so you can make the right decisions and get insured correctly.
Car Insurance in Spain for Foreigners – The Basics
To insure a car in Spain, insurers care about three main things:
Where the car is registered
- • Spanish plates
- • Foreign plates (UK, DE, FR, etc.)
Where you live most of the year
- • Non-resident (holiday home, short stays)
- • Resident (NIE/TIE, long-term stay, registered on the padrón)
Your driving licence
- • EU/EEA licence
- • UK licence (post-Brexit, special agreements)
- • Non-EU licence (USA, Canada, Latin America, etc.)
Insurance is always tied to the combination of these, not just to your licence alone.
EU/EEA Driving Licences in Spain
If your licence is from another EU/EEA country, Spanish insurers are generally comfortable with:
- Car insurance for non-resident owners with EU licences
- Car insurance for new residents who plan to live in Spain long term
However, for long-term residents, Spanish authorities expect you to:
- Keep your licence details up to date
- Follow any future EU rules on licence exchange (if applicable)
Good to know: Even with an EU licence, insurers will still ask about your age and driving experience, previous accidents and claims, and how often and where you drive in Spain. Insurers may also ask for an official driving history or previous bonus/malus statement to apply no-claims discounts.
UK Driving Licences and Car Insurance in Spain
Since Brexit, UK licences have had special rules in Spain. Over time, agreements have been made, but in practice:
- Insurers still treat UK as non-EU, and some have specific internal rules
- Some insurers will happily insure drivers with UK licences; others are more restrictive
- For long-term residents, you may be expected to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one within a certain timeframe
Because internal insurer rules change over the years, a broker regularly checks:
- Which insurers are currently comfortable with UK licences
- Whether there are time limits after obtaining residency
- What documentation is required (for example, licence scans, residence details)
If you are unsure, it's safer to ask a broker before buying a car or starting a plate change.
Non-EU Licences (USA, Canada, Latin America, etc.)
If your licence is from outside the EU/EEA and UK:
- Some countries have exchange agreements with Spain (canje)
- In others, you may have to obtain a Spanish licence after a certain period of residence
From the insurer's perspective, non-EU licences can mean:
- Fewer companies willing to insure you directly
- Shorter acceptance periods after you become resident
- Possible requirements to exchange your licence before renewal
This is where we see many expats run into the classic problem:
"I had insurance last year, but now my insurer won't renew because of my licence."
A broker can help by:
- Checking which insurers are still open to your licence type
- Advising whether you must exchange your licence to keep cover
- Planning the timeline for licence exchange + insurance renewal so you don't get stuck without insurance
Car Insurance in Spain for Non-Residents
Many expats are non-resident and:
- Own a property in Spain
- Visit for several weeks or months each year
- Keep a car permanently in Spain
Insurers will want to know:
- Where the car is normally kept (garage, street, region)
- How many months per year you spend in Spain
- Who drives the car (you, partner, adult children, visitors)
Non-resident car insurance in Spain is possible, but:
- Not every insurer is comfortable with it
- Some limit who can be a named driver
- There may be rules about how long you can stay with a foreign licence or foreign plates
An English-speaking broker can tell you precisely which insurers offer car insurance for non-residents, accept your type of foreign licence, and provide documentation in a form your bank, notary or traffic office can use.
Spanish Plates vs Foreign Plates – Why It Matters
Most Spanish insurers prefer:
- Cars with Spanish plates
- Cars that are normally kept in Spain
- Owners who are transparent about whether they are resident or non-resident
If you live in Spain long term, you're often expected to:
- Register your car on Spanish plates, and
- Insure it with a Spanish insurer
Trying to stay with foreign plates and foreign insurance while really living in Spain can lead to:
- Problems in the event of a serious claim
- Difficulty proving where the car is "normally kept"
- Insurers declining cover if they believe the risk was not correctly described
A broker can help you plan the transition:
- Step 1: Understand your current status (resident vs non-resident)
- Step 2: Decide whether it's time to switch to Spanish plates
- Step 3: Arrange Spanish car insurance that matches your new situation
What Insurers Ask When You Have a Foreign Licence
When you request car insurance in Spain for foreigners, expect questions like:
How long have you held your licence?
Which country issued your licence?
Do you have a bonus/malus certificate or claims-free statement?
Have you had accidents or claims in the last 3–5 years?
Are you resident or non-resident in Spain?
How many kilometres per year will you drive in Spain?
The clearer and more complete your answers, the easier it is to match you with the right insurer, get a realistic price, and avoid problems if there is a claim.
Typical Price Ranges for Foreign Licence Holders (2026)
Prices depend on age, claims history, car type and location, but for many foreign licence holders with Spanish plates, we see:
| Profile (Foreign Licence) | Type of Cover | Typical Range 2026* |
|---|---|---|
| EU licence, 30–50, clean history | Third-party | From around €180–€280 |
| EU licence, 30–50, clean history | Third-party + fire & theft | €230–€380 / year |
| EU licence, 30–50, mid-range car | Comprehensive (with excess) | €420–€750 / year |
| UK licence, new resident, average risk | Third-party | €220–€420 / year |
| Non-EU licence, accepted case | Third-party | Often higher and more varied |
*These are example ranges; your actual premium will depend on insurer appetite for your licence type and residency status.
A broker can tell you which insurers will realistically quote for your profile before you spend time on applications.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
1. Policy Not Renewed Because of Licence or Residency
Many expats are surprised when an insurer says:
"We cannot renew your car insurance because your driving licence or residency status has changed."
This can happen when:
- You moved from non-resident to resident
- Rules changed for your non-EU licence
- Internal underwriting guidelines were updated
Solution:
Work with a broker who tracks these changes and can find an alternative insurer before your renewal date.
2. Foreign Plates and Long-Term Residence
Long-term residents sometimes keep:
- A foreign car with foreign plates
- Foreign insurance from their original country
If you live mostly in Spain, this setup can cause:
- Issues in serious claims or checks by authorities
- Doubts about whether the car is insured according to Spanish and EU regulations
Solution:
Discuss with a broker and, where appropriate, plan to regularise the situation (Spanish plates + Spanish insurance).
3. Assuming Any Insurer Accepts Any Licence
Not all insurers treat licences equally. Internal rules differ, for example:
- Insurer A may accept UK licences without issue
- Insurer B may require a Spanish licence if you are resident
- Insurer C may not accept a specific non-EU licence at all
Solution:
Let a broker pre-select insurers that are comfortable with your licence before you apply.
How an English-Speaking Broker Helps with Foreign Licences
When you have a foreign licence and need car insurance in Spain, a broker like ExpatInsurances.es:
Reviews your licence, residency and car status together
Explains which insurers and products are realistic for your profile
Requests quotes from companies known to accept your licence type
Presents a clear comparison in English
Helps with documentation for authorities, banks and financing when needed
If there is a claim or a change in your situation:
- We explain what the insurer needs
- Help you update your details correctly
- Support you at renewal or when switching insurer
How to Get Car Insurance in Spain with a Foreign Licence – Step by Step
Send Us Your Basic Details
Share:
- • Your licence country and year of issue
- • Whether you are resident or non-resident in Spain
- • Car details (brand, model, year, value, current plates)
- • Where in Spain the car is kept
We Analyse Your Options
We:
- • Check which insurers accept your licence type
- • Clarify whether you need Spanish plates or licence exchange soon
- • Identify realistic options for third-party, extended or comprehensive cover
We Request Quotes from Suitable Insurers
You receive:
- • One or more offers that fit your situation
- • Explanation of price, cover and any special conditions related to your licence or residency
You Choose – We Arrange the Policy
Once you decide:
- • We complete the application and provide policy documents
- • We make sure you have valid proof of insurance in case of checks or accidents
Ongoing Support
We're here if:
- • You exchange your licence for a Spanish one
- • You change plates to Spanish registration
- • Your residency status changes (non-resident → resident)
- • You need help with a claim or renewal
Need Car Insurance in Spain with a Foreign Licence?
Whether you're a non-resident with a holiday home or a new resident changing to Spanish plates, our licensed team can:
- Explain your options in clear English
- Find insurers that accept your foreign driving licence
- Help you plan licence exchange and plate changes without losing cover
- Support you with claims and renewals over the long term
ExpatInsurances.es – DGSFP-licensed insurance broker helping expats with foreign licences insure their cars in Spain since 2012.
Expert reviewed
Written and reviewed by licensed insurance agents Maya Kallio and Marco Elsinger, who have helped over 15,000 expats in Spain since 2012.
Maya Kallio
Licensed Insurance Agent
Since 2012
Marco Elsinger
Licensed Insurance Agent
10+ years
Languages: English, Finnish, Spanish, German
Related guides
You might also find these useful: