Importing a car from Germany: real savings or a mirage?
Importing a car from Germany can save thousands of euros on exclusive models, but for small cars registration and transport costs eat up the margin.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Importing a car from Germany: the maths few people do
A Toyota IQ costs €3,000 in Germany and €4,500 in Spain. The temptation to save €1,500 is strong, but the import process can devour that difference. The example illustrates the dilemma facing thousands of buyers: when does it really pay off to bring a vehicle over from Germany?
The hidden costs of importing
The experience of those who have done it reveals items that are often underestimated. An intermediary company charges around €300 to handle the search and organisation, but the paperwork (registration, green plates) is the buyer's responsibility. In one real case, the green plate and registration came to €1,250, and transport from Germany to Málaga added another €800. Total: €2,050 in import costs alone.
For a high-end car (€43,000 new, bought for €11,700 after 4 years), those €2,000 meant a huge net saving. But for a small car like the Toyota IQ, where the price difference is barely €1,500, import costs match or exceed it. What's more, the Toyota IQ is exempt from Spain's registration tax, but transport and admin fees take up a good part of the margin.
When it does pay off
The unwritten rule: it's only worth it for exclusive or high-value models that are overpriced or scarce in Spain. For mid-range or budget cars, the saving evaporates. Those who tried it with premium models achieved net savings of €10,000-15,000; for a Toyota IQ, the balance is negative or marginal.
The surprising figure: although German prices are attractive, the total cost of importing is not a fixed percentage but an absolute amount that hits cheap cars hardest. The final sum depends on each case, but the mirage of the German price fades once all the expenses are added up.
A Toyota IQ costs €3,000 in Germany and €4,500 in Spain. The temptation to save €1,500 is strong, but the import process can devour that difference. The example illustrates the dilemma facing thousands of buyers: when does it really pay off to bring a vehicle over from Germany?
The hidden costs of importing
The experience of those who have done it reveals items that are often underestimated. An intermediary company charges around €300 to handle the search and organisation, but the paperwork (registration, green plates) is the buyer's responsibility. In one real case, the green plate and registration came to €1,250, and transport from Germany to Málaga added another €800. Total: €2,050 in import costs alone.
For a high-end car (€43,000 new, bought for €11,700 after 4 years), those €2,000 meant a huge net saving. But for a small car like the Toyota IQ, where the price difference is barely €1,500, import costs match or exceed it. What's more, the Toyota IQ is exempt from Spain's registration tax, but transport and admin fees take up a good part of the margin.
When it does pay off
The unwritten rule: it's only worth it for exclusive or high-value models that are overpriced or scarce in Spain. For mid-range or budget cars, the saving evaporates. Those who tried it with premium models achieved net savings of €10,000-15,000; for a Toyota IQ, the balance is negative or marginal.
The surprising figure: although German prices are attractive, the total cost of importing is not a fixed percentage but an absolute amount that hits cheap cars hardest. The final sum depends on each case, but the mirage of the German price fades once all the expenses are added up.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (21 replies).
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