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Authorities across the Balearic Islands are cracking down on the improper use of foreign-plated vehicles, with nearly 200 violations detected in a sweeping operation aimed at tackling tax and customs fraud.

 

Since the end of last year, the Guardia Civil and the Tax Agency have carried out no fewer than 1,065 roadside checks in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera as part of an initiative known as Operation Filtrocar. The campaign focuses on transport controls and has already uncovered 166 cases where legal requirements were not being met.

 

The operation is a response to rising concerns about residents in Spain using foreign-registered vehicles without completing the obligatory national vehicle registration process. Authorities say this not only creates an unfair advantage over other taxpayers, but also leads to a loss of public revenue.

 

“These are people who live here and are meant to register their vehicles, but instead continue using foreign plates to avoid taxes,” one official explained. “We need to ensure that everyone plays by the same rules.”

 

Ibiza has seen a particular uptick in enforcement, with 120 checks carried out in recent months. Of those, 20 resulted in penalties, ranging from missing documents to vehicles staying in the country beyond the legal limit.

 

Spanish law states that anyone who is a tax resident or has a permanent establishment must register a foreign vehicle if it remains in Spain for more than 30 days.

 

Those who fail to comply face fines of between 50% and 150% of the unpaid tax. In some cases, the vehicle can even be immobilised.

 

The checks, which are still ongoing right now, are carried out at various strategic points across the Spanish islands. It basically consists of officers verifying the vehicle documents, the driver’s identity and the tax status of the vehicle’s owner.

 

One common issue they are finding is the abuse of the Temporary Import Regime, which allows tax-free use of foreign vehicles for a limited time, but is being misused by some residents as they overstay the limit.

 

The Guardia Civil has confirmed that Operation Filtrocar will continue over the coming months, with extra attention expected over the summer as tourist numbers and temporary residents increase.

 

Officials are reminding all drivers that following Spanish tax and customs rules is not optional, no matter where a vehicle is registered.

 

 

Images: Guardia Civil/Agencia Tributaria