Car Insurance for Spanish Drivers in the UK

Moving overseas can be daunting and, with so many things to consider, arranging expat car insurance might seem complicated. Thankfully, with Keith Michaels, getting car insurance as a Spanish driver in the UK couldn’t be simpler. 

Our team are here to help – 92% of our customers get a cheaper quote over the phone. 

Moving to the UK from Spain? Keith Michaels can help 

Spanish drivers arriving in Britain can sometimes find that standard online insurance quotes don’t reflect the experience they’ve already built up abroad. 

You might have held a licence for many years, driven claim-free throughout that time and insured several vehicles in Spain, but still have little or no history recorded by UK insurers. 

Specialist expat insurance can help bridge that gap. When arranging a quote, we’ll typically want to know about: 

• Your Spanish driving licence and how long you’ve held it 

• How long you’ve been resident in the UK 

• Your previous insurance history in Spain 

• Any accidents, claims or driving convictions 

• The vehicle you’ll be driving in the UK 

• Any overseas no claims bonus you’ve accumulated 

This allows us to build a more complete picture of your experience on the road and approach insurers suited to international drivers. 

Can my Spanish driving history count towards UK insurance? 

It absolutely can. And with Kieth Michaels, it does. 

A lack of UK insurance history isn’t the same as a lack of overall driving experience.  

If you’ve spent several years driving and holding insurance in Spain, this is information we actively consider when looking for cover. 

Your previous no-claims history can be particularly useful. 

Keith Michaels can recognise eligible foreign no-claims bonuses from insurers outside the UK, subject to the appropriate evidence being supplied. 

Documentation will need to be provided in English or translated into English before it can be considered. 

This could help avoid the situation where you, as an experienced driver are treated in the same way as somebody who has only recently started driving. 

Bringing your car with you from Spain 

Some drivers relocating to Britain choose to bring their existing vehicle rather than purchase another car immediately. 

A Spanish-market vehicle may be left-hand drive and could have specifications that differ from equivalent UK models. This can make finding cover through mainstream insurance providers more difficult than a right-hand-drive, UK-registered car. 

Keith Michaels has extensive experience arranging specialist import car insurance for vehicles that sit outside the requirements of standard insurers. 

If your car is being permanently imported into the UK, you’ll also need to make sure that the necessary customs, vehicle approval, registration and taxation requirements have been completed. Depending on the vehicle, modifications may also be needed to meet UK requirements. 

Our team can help with the insurance side while you complete the relevant import and registration process. 

The Keith Michaels Difference 

• 35+ years’ experience 
• Every customer is treated as an individual, not a policy number 
• We are a UK-based office, not a call centre 
• We are completely independent from any insurance company 
• All policies are looked at on their own merits to find you the best policy available 

Can I drive in the UK using my Spanish driving licence? 

Yes. If you hold a valid Spanish driving licence, you can generally continue to drive in Great Britain after becoming resident. 

As Spain is an EU country, you can usually continue driving on your Spanish licence for as long as it remains valid. Different rules can apply to certain licence categories, including lorry and bus licences, so check the latest GOV.UK guidance for your circumstances. 

Once your Spanish licence expires, you’ll need to renew it or exchange it for a Great Britain licence before continuing to drive.  

Do I have to swap my Spanish licence for a British one? 

Not immediately. Spanish licence holders can generally continue using a valid EU licence after moving to Great Britain, rather than having to exchange it as soon as they become resident. 

You can, however, apply to exchange an eligible Spanish licence for a British one if you wish. The GOV.UK exchange a non-GB driving licence service can help you check the rules for your circumstances. 

Will UK insurers recognise my Spanish no claims bonus? 

Not every insurer will, which can make finding competitive cover more difficult for drivers who have recently moved to the UK. 

Keith Michaels can consider foreign no-claims bonus built up with an insurer in Spain. 

You’ll normally need documentation confirming your previous claims history. If your evidence is written in Spanish, it will need to be translated into English before it can be considered. 

Can I get car insurance without any previous UK insurance? 

Yes you can. It’s a misconception that having no UK insurance history doesn’t necessarily mean you have no driving experience. 

Keith Michaels works with expats who may have only recently arrived in Britain but have been driving and insured overseas for many years. We’ll consider your previous Spanish driving and insurance history alongside the other information used to arrange your policy. 

Can I bring my Spanish car with me when I move to the UK? 

You can bring you Spanish car with you, although permanently importing a vehicle involves additional steps beyond arranging insurance. 

You may need to notify HMRC, pay any applicable VAT or customs duties, obtain vehicle approval and register and tax the vehicle with the DVLA. Spanish vehicles are also commonly left-hand drive and may need alterations to meet UK requirements. 

You can find further information in the GOV.UK guidance on registering an imported vehicle. 

Can Keith Michaels insure a left-hand-drive Spanish car? 

Although we do our utmost to help drivers with left-hand drive cars, it does depend on additional criteria. 

Left-hand-drive and imported vehicles can fall outside the criteria of some mainstream UK insurers. Keith Michaels specialises in import car insurance and can consider many vehicles brought to Britain from Spain. 

Cover will depend on the individual vehicle, its registration status and specification, as well as your personal circumstances. 

What do I need before driving my car in the UK? 

The requirements will depend on whether you’re driving a UK-registered vehicle or bringing your own car from Spain. 

As a minimum, you’ll need: 

• A driving licence valid for use in Great Britain 

• Suitable motor insurance 

• The correct vehicle registration 

• Vehicle tax where applicable 

• A valid MOT where required 

• Any necessary import or vehicle approval documentation 

You should also disclose relevant previous accidents, claims and motoring convictions when applying for insurance.