Car ferries to Spain from England

We all know that the British have a long-standing affection for migrating south and heading to Spain, whether it´s for a long weekend, a summer holiday on the beach, or a more permanent move for work or retirement under the Spanish sun.

But with the ever-increasing prices of “cheap flights”, and now petrol prices at an all-time high hitting those who usually opt to use the Euro Tunnel rail link and road trip through France, it raises the question “what´s the best way to travel to Spain these days?”

If you´re thinking of travelling by car to Spain for a holiday, or you are moving things over to live here for longer, or bringing your car here after initially settling in, then I would suggest that sailing on a ferry is an appealing option.

Here´s the rundown on all you need to know about car ferries to Spain from England.

There are 3 routes between the south coast of England and the north coast of Spain. These are

• Portsmouth to Santander
• Portsmouth to Bilbao
• And, for those who would prefer to catch the ferry further to the west, Plymouth to Santander.

The route starting from Plymouth takes around 20 hours, while the routes from Portsmouth to Santander, and Portsmouth to Bilbao last around 33 hours each.

Prices vary depending on how early you book, which type of vehicle you take, and how many occupants the vehicle will have in it. However, just to give you a ball-park figure, a family saloon with 2 passengers, booked 4 weeks in advance will cost 600 - 700€ one-way. Each route sails twice per week, so that’s 6 possible departures per week.

In case you have never done a ferry crossing like this before, for all car ferries between Spain and England, you will need to exit the vehicle and come up to the passenger deck for the length of the crossing. This is definitely a good time for the driver to get some sleep (but not in your car). You must select either seats or a cabin for your time onboard. Reclining seats for your time on the ferry cost about 13€ each. Purchase a sleep pack with blanket, pillow, eye mask and ear plugs to get some shut-eye.

Alternatively, you might prefer to opt for a cabin at a cost from around 150€ for up to 4 people. You can also arrange pet-friendly cabins for your animals. There are even exercise areas exclusively for pets and their owners.

Hospitality during your trip

During your journey you can relax in one of the luxury lounges on offer. For example, in the C-Club Lounge offered by Brittany Ferries you can enjoy snacks throughout the journey, refreshments and newspapers and magazines.

Onboard you can watch the latest blockbusters in one of the cinemas. There are playrooms and video games rooms to keep your whole family occupied. You can even enjoy spa treatments!

There is also the opportunity for a spot of shopping, with an extensive choice of products available from the onboard boutiques including perfumes, cosmetics, clothing, accessories, gifts, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, confectionery and hygiene products.

All car ferries to Spain from England offer a wide range of dining experiences. You will be onboard for at least 2 of your meal-times, so you will need to eat at some point. You can enjoy à la carte dining in one of the ship’s restaurants. You might prefer the self-service buffet where you can find hot dishes, sandwiches and snacks, as well as a range of drinks. There are also several cafés onboard where you can spend time having a relaxing cuppa or light bites.

Get your paperwork and equipment in order

The rules are different in Spain from the UK, especially since Brexit. When boarding a car ferry to travel to Spain from England you’ll need your passport, proof of travel insurance, and a full, valid photocard driving licence. It´s also important to note that you must be at least 18 to drive in Spain.

For your car you’ll need the car logbook, valid MOT and road tax, proof of vehicle insurance and proof of European Breakdown Cover. In Europe, you must carry these documents with you whenever you are driving.

EU countries you must also carry these pieces of equipment relating to your vehicle: UK sticker, warning triangle and high-vis jacket, headlight beam deflectors and spare bulbs for headlights and indicators.

Not having any of these items, paperwork or equipment, could land you in hot water, so make sure you have everything before setting off.

Which type of insurance do you need?

Ensuring you have the correct vehicle insurance is absolutely essential. If you are involved in an incident, your insurance may not cover you, leaving you open to prosecution for driving violations and civil claims against you. Driving without insurance could result in a fine up to 3000€. Ignorance is not a legitimate excuse in law, so it is down to you to do your research. Luckily for you, here is some information I found which should help a bit.

The type of insurance you need to have depends on what you are using it for. Are driving a UK registered car in Spain for a short trip as a tourist, or are planning to stay for a longer period of time? In any case, check all the options Caser Expat Insurance has for you.

Driving a UK registered car as a tourist in Spain

The good news is that, if you are coming on holiday, you can drive in Spain using a driving licence that has been issued in the UK for visits of up to 3 months, without needing an international driving permit. However, you need to check with your own insurance provider in the UK if your insurance policy gives you international coverage and covers you for that period. Make sure you check any exceptions or changes in the cover due to the change in location.

Most UK insurance policies will only cover you for 6 months. Furthermore, if you are not a resident in Spain, you cannot get Spanish insurance for a UK registered car.

Insurance for UK registered car as a Spanish resident

If you have been resident in Spain for 6 months, you should change your licence over to a Spanish licence. That unfortunately means that you will have to take the Spanish Driving Test, despite being a legally recognised driver in the UK. If you are worried about having to do the test in Spanish, there are companies which can help point you in the direction of English versions of the written test.

If you are planning to keep your car here for more than 6 months, it needs to be re-registered here.  You can see my recent article for details of this process, and as part of this process you will also need to pay car import tax – see my recent article for the ins and outs of what this involves! You can also check out another previous article for further information on driving a UK registered car in Spain.

A Spanish insurance company can provide you with insurance for you UK registered vehicle during the transmission of your changeover, as long as you can provide all the relevant documents.

Caser Expat Insurance offers one of the most complete services for Expats in Spain. As well as cover for damage to vehicles, they also cover for personal damages. They offer excellent breakdown cover, and replacement vehicles, should yours become damaged in a crash. Caser Expat Insurance will ever help you to contest parking and traffic fines. They can advise you on exactly the right cover for you. Find out more by going to their website. You can receive a quote online, or speak to an adviser. https://expat-insurance-in-spain.com/car-insurance/

Wherever you are going in Spain, taking the car ferry from England to Spain gives you the opportunity to take the scenic route, and relax and enjoy the ride. The north of Spain is beautiful, lush and green, and nowhere near as warm as further south. Arriving with your car can really make you feel at home. Enjoy!