UK Caravan in Spain

[polopudding]

Hi
I live in Spain and want to buy a caravan but the caravans here are not very stylish, they look very dated and they are extremely expensive. I was going to buy an almost new caravan in the UK and take it over. I see lots of motor homes over here but not so many caravans. Does anyone here on the forum have knowledge whether I can do this? Does the caravan have to be IVT (MOT'd). Does it need Spanish insurance or would UK insurance do? Any knowledge would be gratefully received.

 

[VicMallows]

I suspect that on the road it will depend on whether you are towing it (legally) with a UK registered or a Spanish registered vehicle. Insurance on the 'van itself (against damage; theft; etc will be entirely between you and the insurance company).

BTW, isn't it 'ITV' (rather than 'IVT') ? ....... I recall being puzzled by all the signs advertising 'ITV' and looked it up :dry:

 

[polopudding]

I will be towing it with a Spanish vehicle as I live here. But my question is can I buy a UK Caravan and keep it in Spain? I don't see any UK caravans down here on the Costa Del Sol, it's mostly Motor Homes and the occassional Spanish caravan.

 

[Jaydug]

I don't see any UK caravans down here on the Costa Del Sol,.

Maybe you haven't been there during the winter months. I've had mine there for the past 22 winters and know several other Brits who tow to Malaga Province as well. Regarding buying a UK built caravan, you would have to get it register as all caravans in Spain have their own registration plate as well as that of the vehicle towing it.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I will be towing it with a Spanish vehicle as I live here. But my question is can I buy a UK Caravan and keep it in Spain?

Have you considered warranty work and servicing? Who will be doing it?

 

[Hutch]

Have you thought about advertising for someone who has towed one to Spain and is willing to sell it, there is the problem of export and import of course.

 

[Raywood]

There is nothing to stop you from buying a caravan here and towing it to Spain, but you may need then to register it in Spain and would need to check with the Spanish authorities the requirements there.

 

[camel]

There's plenty of UK built caravans for sale down in Spain, just do a couple of searches

 

[Jaydug]

I met a caravanning friend at the weekend who used to live in Spain. I asked him about the process of importing a UK caravan into Spain. This is what he told me.

First thing you need is a Certificate of Conformity issued by the manufacturer of the van. If one can’t be provided the caravan must be inspected by a team of appointed Spanish engineers who will issue a similar certificate (at a cost). However if you already have the Certificate you can then take it and the caravan for an ITV inspection – similar to our MOT. The inspection will centre mainly on the chassis running gear, braking and road lighting. Having collected all your paper-work together you then visit the traffic-police office who will give the papers the once-over and issue a registration document for the van. Once you have that you can then have a red number plate made up to fix to the rear of the van together with the towing vehicle’s number.

From my own experience at the police office, the entire interview will be conducted in Spanish so unless you're fluent, you'll need an interpreter with you.

Maybe easier to buy a Spanish van... hmy:

 

[Hutch]

But of course, if you tow a van there , leave it on site, and many years later tow it home or sell it to some one else, why bother with Registering it, if your not touring with it, in Spain.

 

[Jaydug]

But of course, if you tow a van there , leave it on site, and many years later tow it home or sell it to some one else, why bother with Registering it, if your not touring with it, in Spain.

Just so! But the OP says he lives in Spain - so presumably he drives a Spanish registered car, and he wants to tow it He wouldn't get very far before the traffico pulled along side him to "have a word". If he's content to keep it permanently on a site, then yes - no need to register it.