How to transfer a motorcycle into your name in Barcelona (2026)
The definitive guide, no fine print: which documents you need, the deadlines and how to avoid mistakes when changing your bike's ownership.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Documents
- DNI, sales contract, registration certificate and technical sheet with a valid ITV.
- Deadline
- You have 30 days from signing the contract. Miss it and you face a penalty.
- Where
- The transfer is processed at the DGT: you can do it online or with an appointment.
- The shortcut
- If you buy your bike at Spartan Motors, we handle the whole name change for you.
What exactly is a change of ownership?
Transferring ownership — the "name change" — is the procedure by which a motorcycle officially passes from its previous owner to you before the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT). Until it is done, as far as the DGT is concerned the bike still belongs to the seller: their fines, their taxes and their problems.
The documents you'll need
Tick off what you already have. If just one is missing, the procedure stops.
- Valid DNI or NIE of both the buyer and the seller (originals).
- Sales contract signed on every page by both parties (make two copies).
- The bike's registration certificate (permiso de circulación).
- Technical data sheet (ITV card) with a valid roadworthiness test (ITV).
- The latest IVTM receipt — the municipal road tax — paid.
- Proof of the ITP (form 620) filed, where applicable.
- Proof of payment of the DGT fee.
Barcelona & Catalonia special
- You can do the transfer online with a digital certificate, DNIe or Cl@ve, without leaving home.
- The IVTM is managed by Barcelona City Council: make sure the seller has it up to date.
- To do the procedure in person you need an appointment at the Barcelona Provincial Traffic Office.
- If you're going to ride in the city centre, check that the bike meets Barcelona's Low Emission Zone (ZBE) rules.
Mistakes that can cost you money
Letting the 30 days slip by
Going past the deadline from signing exposes the buyer to a penalty procedure. Don't leave it to the last day.
Transferring with an expired ITV
If the roadworthiness test (ITV) isn't valid, the DGT won't process the transfer. Check it before buying the bike.
Skipping the ITP tax
Without proof of form 620, the DGT rejects the name change. The ITP always comes first.
The seller not reporting the sale
The seller should file the notice of sale with the DGT to stop being listed as the owner. It protects both parties.
Frequently asked questions
With the paperwork in order and the taxes paid, the transfer is completed on the spot: you get a temporary registration certificate instantly and the definitive one arrives by post to your home.
As a rule the buyer takes care of the procedure; the seller only needs to report the sale to the DGT to stop being listed as the owner. If you buy at Spartan, we handle it and leave everything sorted, with no surprises.
It is strongly discouraged. Until the change is done, the bike is registered to the previous owner and any fine or liability falls on them. Always complete the transfer within the 30-day deadline.
The DGT won't allow a vehicle with liens or charges to be transferred, so it's worth checking before buying. At Spartan we hand over every bike free of charges, with the paperwork up to date and the name change handled by us.
Buy your bike and forget about the paperwork
At Spartan Motors we take care of the entire ownership transfer for you. You just pick your bike; we put the paperwork in order.
Sources & last updated
Information verified in July 2026 with the DGT electronic office and the Catalan Tax Agency. Fees and taxes may change; always check the official sources before acting.
This article is for information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.