Spain’s Auto+ 2026 subsidy excludes almost all used electric cars. France has offered a bonus for used EVs since September 2026, while the Netherlands is preparing income-based support. Spain restricts eligibility to cars less than a year old that have never received a subsidy and are sold by an official dealer, shutting out private buyers.
Almost all used EVs are excluded, especially those three years old or more. Private sales qualify for nothing, whatever the car’s condition or battery life. Official government documents say applications for Auto+ open on August 4, 2026, and close on December 31, 2026, or when the money runs out.
The second phase of Spain’s Auto+ program has a total budget of 50 million euros, information from industry sources. Eligible passenger cars receive a base payout of 4,500 euros, while vans qualify for 5,000 euros. The maximum subsidy for an electric car in Spain is 4,500 euros. The final payout depends on the car’s price and electrification level, as well as where it was made and where its battery comes from. The price cap is 45,000 euros before tax. To qualify, a car must carry a CERO label and be sold by an authorized dealer; it also must not have received a previous subsidy. Demo cars, showroom models and some low-mileage fleet vehicles may qualify if they meet every rule. Private sales are excluded. The government designed the system to track spending and route payments through official channels. Sector reports say the rules aim to keep state aid transparent and limit it to professional sales.
France has taken a different approach. Since September 2026, buyers have been able to claim a used EV bonus through the Certificats d’Économie d’Énergie (CEE) system. The program covers cars first registered between January 2017 and December 2023. A qualifying car must be fully electric and sold or leased by a licensed dealer. It must also retain at least 80% of its original battery capacity, or have a minimum range of 200 kilometers if there is no battery certificate. The price must not exceed 25,000 euros, and buyers must keep the car for three years. The standard bonus ranges from 300 to 380 euros. Home care and personal service workers can receive up to 2,000 euros. France’s rules allow support for cars up to nine years old by 2026. French government sources say the CEE program does not check buyers’ income, making it easier to access than Spain’s.
The Netherlands is preparing a new subsidy for low-income buyers of used electric cars. The Overstapsubsidie Gebruikte Elektrische Auto’s (OGEA) will offer up to 6,000 euros to people earning between 12,500 and 27,533 euros a year, and up to 4,000 euros to those with incomes up to 35,793 euros. Buyers must scrap a petrol or diesel car to receive the money. Dutch authorities say the subsidy will be available until 2028, with the largest payouts reserved for applicants in the lowest income brackets. They say the approach aims to make electric mobility more accessible, unlike Spain’s focus on nearly new vehicles and professional sales channels. As of September 2026, the launch date and final details are still pending. The announced amounts are not yet in effect.
Germany takes a different approach. It offers up to 6,000 euros, but only for new electric cars registered from January 2026. Used or previously registered vehicles do not qualify, including demo models.
Spain’s rules create two major barriers: private sales are excluded, and the program does not check battery health. France, by contrast, requires proof of battery capacity or minimum range. Spain considers the car’s age and whether a dealer sells it. Some regions offer tax breaks or local incentives, but they are patchy and often small. Auto+ runs until December 31, 2026, or until its funds run out. To receive support, buyers must provide full paperwork for the purchase and registration, along with proof of dealer status. Industry analysts say the setup reflects Spain’s cautious approach to expanding subsidies for used EVs.
The uneven rules are already changing how people buy cars. As reported earlier, used car prices in Spain have risen, with Madrid at the top. Limited support for older electric cars widens the gap between new and used buyers.
Spain’s strict rules for used electric cars reflect a cautious policy that favors dealers. France and the Netherlands are extending electric mobility support to buyers of older cars and people with lower incomes. Spain is not. Without a change in the rules, the country could fall behind in making zero-emission driving accessible to everyone.
