What they are
They are a Spanish temporary registration for private individuals, governed by article 43 of the Reglamento General de Vehículos, the Spanish general vehicles regulation. They allow you to drive while the permanent registration is being processed. The permit is, literally, a green A6 card (105 × 148 mm).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 days (the DGT also puts it as "2 months") |
| Fee | €20.61 (fee 1.4), plus the cost of the plates at an authorised centre |
| Extension | Free if applied for within the period of validity, showing that registration has not been possible for reasons outside your control |
| Insurance | Compulsory in order to drive |
| Where to apply | Traffic authority headquarters or office by appointment, or online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve |
The detail almost nobody mentions
To grant you green plates, the DGT's electronic office requires you to submit the complete ordinary registration file: that is, the original documentation from the country of origin and everything else already gathered. Put plainly: they are not a permit for bringing the car over while the papers catch up, but for moving it while the traffic authority decides.
Green and red are not the same thing
The red ones belong to businesses in the trade (manufacturers, importers, dealers). The DGT expressly forbids handing a car to a customer to use on red plates. If somebody offers you that, we are off to a bad start.
And for putting the car on the ferry?
Here we are honest: we have not found any rule that forbids or expressly allows shipping a car to the islands on green plates. Neither article 43 of the regulation, nor the DGT's electronic office, nor its website deals with it. If you need to do it, ask the ferry company and the traffic authority first. In our own operations the car travels on a transporter and is delivered already registered, so this question does not come up.
Frequently asked questions
How much do green plates cost?
The traffic authority fee (number 1.4) is €20.61, plus whatever it costs to make the plates at an authorised centre.
How long do they last?
60 days. The extension is free if applied for while the permit is still valid, and you have to show documentary evidence that registration has not been possible for reasons outside your control. We have not found a maximum number of extensions published anywhere.
Do I need insurance?
Yes. Spanish plates, even temporary ones, mean you must have insurance in order to drive.
Are they any use for bringing the car over from Germany?
No. To apply for them you already need the complete registration file, with the original documentation from the country of origin.
Sources
- DGT electronic office — temporary registration (green plates)
- DGT electronic office — business temporary plates (red plates)
- Reglamento General de Vehículos — article 43 and annex XVII
Every source was checked on 25 September 2026. Tax rules change: if you are reading this much later, confirm it or ask us.
