Importing you car to Portugal
Temporary admission of vehicles
Any EU registered vehicle can be kept in Portugal for up to 180 days per annum provided that the owner keeps to the following conditions…
• The vehicle is registered in the name of the person who is not resident in Portugal.
• The vehicle must be bought into Portugal by the registered keeper.
• That the vehicle is for private use only.
• The vehicle can only be driven by the registered keeper.
• The vehicles keeper is in possession of the registration documents for production when necessary.
Permanent importation of vehicles
This is for those who wish to set up permanent residence in Portugal. It can however be possible to import the vehicle tax free providing that…
• the vehicle is for private use
• the vehicle was purchased fully tax-paid in the UK
• the vehicle has been used by the registered keeper for private use for a minimum period of 6 months in the UK
• The vehicle has been registered with the keeper for a minimum of 6 months in the UK.
• The registered keeper of the vehicle is transferring his/her residence from another EU country where he/she has been resident for a minimum of 185 days.
In order to import a vehicle you will have to submit an application to the customs office within the area you wish to live. Contacts details can be found here.
Only one vehicle can be imported tax free per person once every 5 years.
All vehicles in Portugal have to have the following documentation…
• Ownership documentation (Titulo de registro de propriedade). This is issued by the vehicle registration office (Conservatoria do registro automovel)
• Vehicle registration document (livrete) issued by the vehicle registration office, see above for translation.
• Road Tax. This can be purchased annually during the month of June from tax offices and some selected news agents. Like the UK the cost varies depending on the size, make and model of the car. The tax disc also has to be displayed in the lower right hand corner of the windscreen.
• Insurance certificate. All cars must have at least third party insurance. The insurance company provides a stamp to display in your windscreen near you tax disc.
• MOT (IPO in Portugal) testing is compulsory in Portugal in the same sense as the UK. Cars that are aged between 4 and 7 years old must be tested every 2 years and there after every year. Cars under 4 years old do not need to be tested. The garage will request the ownership document, its logbook and the owner’s tax-payer identification card before they will carry out the test. The test must take place at an approved garage. A stamp will then be issued to state that the vehicle has undergone and passed its test this will have to be displayed alongside the insurance stamp.
When submitting your application you should also have…
• The vehicles log book and instruction manual
• A certificate of comlopinace or form 1402 issued by the Portuguese DVLA stating that the vehicle has been inspected
• Passport
• Drivers licence
• Residence permit
• Tax payers ID card and 3 years original tax returns or a declaration from your tax office in the area of residence stating how much you have earned over the last 3 years
• A cancellation of residence from your former country, Britain has no such thing but the consulate will issue a certificate on production of your residence permit.
The authorities may ask for further documentation so it is best to contact them prior to travel.