Import a Car to Portugal: How to Do It Legally

Portugal has an extensive public transportation network, but having a car can be practical if you live in a small town or regularly travel beyond the main urban centers.

Buying locally can also be expensive. Portugal is one of the most expensive countries in Europe in which to buy and own a car, largely because of ISV and value-added tax (VAT).

Importing a car you already own, or purchasing one abroad, may therefore be worth considering. To import a car to Portugal, you need to collect the required vehicle documents, complete a technical inspection, submit the Vehicle Customs Declaration (Declaração Aduaneira de Veículos, or DAV) within the legal filing period, pay any applicable Vehicle Tax (Imposto Sobre Veículos, or ISV), and register the vehicle.

This guide explains the documents, taxes, costs, and six-step registration process, as well as the practical considerations when shipping a vehicle to Portugal.

You may consider importing a car if the model you need is unavailable in Portugal, you own a specialist vehicle, or you want to bring a car you already own when relocating.

Importing may also be financially worthwhile if the combined purchase price, shipping, taxes, and registration costs are lower than the cost of buying an equivalent vehicle in Portugal.

However, importing is not automatically cheaper. Vehicle Tax (ISV) can run to several thousand euros depending on the vehicle’s engine size, age, and CO2 emissions.

Use the official simulator on the Portal das Finanças for an exact figure, then account for shipping, inspection, registration, license plates, insurance, and any applicable VAT or customs duty when comparing the total cost.

Your immigration route does not determine how ISV is calculated. Whether you hold a Portugal D7 Visa or a Portugal Golden Visa, the tax payable depends primarily on the vehicle and whether you satisfy the conditions for an exemption, such as the change-of-residence exemption explained later in this guide.

The practical and financial benefits of importing depend on the vehicle, its country of origin, and your eligibility for tax exemptions or reductions. Potential advantages include:

Possible VAT deductions for business vehicles: A VAT-registered Portuguese business may be able to deduct VAT on the acquisition or importation of qualifying electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, subject to vehicle-cost limits and other conditions. Eligibility should be confirmed with a certified accountant before you proceed.

Change-of-residence ISV exemption: If you are transferring your legal residence to Portugal and meet the relevant conditions, you may qualify for a full ISV exemption on one vehicle. The complete eligibility requirements are explained later in this guide.

Tax treatment for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles: Fully electric vehicles are not subject to ISV and are exempt from the annual Single Circulation Tax (Imposto Único de Circulação, or IUC). Certain plug-in hybrids qualify for an intermediate ISV rate, subject to their electric range, emissions, and type approval.

A wider choice of vehicles: Importing may give you access to a model, specification, or specialist vehicle that is difficult to find in Portugal. It may also cost less than buying an equivalent used car locally, but only after you account for transportation, taxes, inspection, registration, and insurance.

Before the vehicle enters Portugal, gather the documents you will need for the tax, inspection, and registration procedures:

• Purchase invoice or private sale declaration
• Original foreign registration certificate or vehicle title
• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Conformity (COC), or the relevant IMT type-approval documentation if no COC is available
• Proof of transportation to Portugal and the transport receipt, if the vehicle is shipped rather than driven into the country

You will also need access to the Portal das Finanças. Before you can submit the electronic Vehicle Customs Declaration (Declaração Aduaneira de Veículos, or DAV), you must register with the Vehicle Tax System (Sistema de Fiscalidade Automóvel) through the Customs section of the portal.

The Vehicle Customs Declaration (Declaração Aduaneira de Veículos, or DAV) must be submitted within 20 working days of the vehicle entering Portugal. Because the technical approval, inspection, and customs procedures are connected, begin the process promptly and retain evidence of the vehicle’s date of entry.

Step 1: Obtain technical approval and complete the inspection

First, confirm whether the vehicle has a Portuguese national type-approval number. If it has a European Certificate of Conformity (COC), you can request the transfer of its European type approval to a national type approval through the IMT, either online or at an IMT service desk. Vehicles without a COC or national type approval may require additional technical documentation.

If an inspection is required, book an inspection for registration at a Category B vehicle inspection center. Depending on the vehicle, you may need to present the COC or type-approval documentation, the original foreign registration certificate, and a completed IMT Modelo 9 form. After the vehicle passes the inspection, you will receive the Modelo 112 inspection certificate.

If the documentation does not contain an accepted CO₂ emissions value, additional emissions testing may be required.

Step 2: Submit the DAV and pay the applicable taxes

Submit the DAV through the Portuguese Tax Authority’s Portal Aduaneiro within 20 working days of the vehicle entering Portugal. Upload the required supporting documents and indicate whether you are paying Vehicle Tax (Imposto Sobre Veículos, or ISV) or applying for an exemption.

The Tax Authority will assess the declaration and issue a Single Collection Document (Documento Único de Cobrança, or DUC) for any ISV due. VAT and customs duty may also apply, depending on the vehicle’s age, mileage, and country of origin. Pay the assessed amount by the deadline shown on the DUC.

Step 3: Request a Portuguese registration number

Once the vehicle’s tax position has been regularized, apply to the Institute for Mobility and Transport (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes, or IMT) for a Portuguese registration number.

The required documents depend on the vehicle but commonly include the DAV, the completed Modelo 9 form, the Modelo 112 inspection certificate, the COC or national type-approval declaration, and the original foreign registration certificate. IMT may request additional documents where necessary.

You have 60 days after completing the vehicle’s tax formalities to pay the applicable IMT registration fee and request the registration certificate.

Step 4: Order license plates and arrange insurance

Once the Portuguese registration number has been assigned, order the corresponding license plates from an authorized supplier. Arrange valid motor insurance before driving the vehicle on public roads with its Portuguese plates.

Confirm with the insurer when the Portuguese policy takes effect, particularly if the vehicle remains covered temporarily by a foreign policy during the importation process.

Step 5: Register yourself as the legal owner

Register the vehicle in your name through Automóvel Online, at a Vehicle Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Automóvel), or at a Loja de Cidadão. This registration records the vehicle’s legal ownership and leads to the issuance of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Documento Único Automóvel, or DUA).

The ownership registration must be completed within 60 days of the Portuguese registration number being assigned.

Step 6: Pay the annual road tax

Pay the Single Circulation Tax (Imposto Único de Circulação, or IUC) through the Portal das Finanças. For the vehicle’s first year of Portuguese registration, including imported vehicles, payment is due within 30 days after the legal deadline for registering the vehicle.

IUC is then payable annually while the vehicle remains registered in your name, unless an exemption applies.

The total cost of importing a car depends primarily on its origin, age, engine capacity, CO2 emissions, and tax status.

Expect a few hundred euros in fixed administrative costs for the inspection, registration document, ownership registration, and license plates, on top of ISV. Confirm the current fees with the relevant authority or service provider before budgeting.

You should also budget for transportation, insurance, and any technical documentation or modifications the vehicle requires.

The complete process does not have a guaranteed 90-day time frame. Processing times depend on inspection availability, the vehicle’s documentation, the Tax Authority’s assessment, and the time required by IMT and the vehicle registry. The general sequence is:

• Within 20 working days of the vehicle entering Portugal: Complete the necessary technical procedures and submit the DAV
• After the DAV is assessed: Pay any tax due by the deadline shown on the Single Collection Document (Documento Único de Cobrança, or DUC)
• After the vehicle’s tax position is regularized: Request the Portuguese registration number and registration certificate from IMT
• After the registration number is assigned: Order the license plates, arrange insurance, register the vehicle in your name, and pay IUC by the applicable deadlines

Taxes and exemptions when importing a car to Portugal

The taxes and procedures that apply depend on where the vehicle comes from, its age and emissions, and whether you qualify for an exemption. The principal import options are:

Standard import from another EU country: You can drive or transport the vehicle to Portugal before completing the inspection, tax, and registration procedures. Used vehicles imported from the EU receive an age-based ISV reduction that increases with the vehicle’s age. The official simulator automatically applies the current reduction. Under the EU VAT rules for vehicles, Portuguese VAT generally applies if the vehicle is considered new, meaning it was first registered no more than six months ago or has traveled no more than 6,000 km.

Full customs import from outside the EU: You must clear the vehicle through customs and may need to pay Portuguese VAT, ISV, and import duty at the EU’s common tariff rate for vehicles. Exemptions may apply in specific circumstances, including certain transfers of residence.

Temporary use of foreign license plates: Non-residents may temporarily use an EU-registered vehicle in Portugal, subject to applicable conditions. Portuguese residents generally have only a short period in which they can use foreign plates. Confirm the current limits with the Portuguese Tax Authority before relying on temporary admission.

Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles: Fully electric vehicles are exempt from ISV and IUC. Plug-in hybrid vehicles are subject to an intermediate ISV rate if they have a minimum electric range of 50 km and official CO₂ emissions below 80 g/km under the applicable type-approval standards. Normal VAT and customs rules may still apply when the vehicle comes from outside the EU.

Historic vehicles: Vehicles more than 30 years old may qualify for reduced tax under the historic-vehicle rules. Confirm that the vehicle meets the relevant criteria before arranging transportation.

Change-of-residence ISV exemption

The change-of-residence exemption allows an eligible person transferring their legal residence to Portugal to import one vehicle without paying ISV. You must generally:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have lived outside Portugal for at least six months
• Have owned the vehicle in the country of origin for at least six months before transferring your residence
• Have acquired the vehicle in your country of origin or another country in which you previously lived, and paid the applicable taxes without receiving a tax benefit when purchasing it
• Have deregistered your residence in the country of origin
• Apply within 12 months of transferring your residence to Portugal

The exemption is available for one vehicle per beneficiary and can generally be used only once every ten years. You cannot sell, lend, lease, or hire out the vehicle during the 12 months following the issue of its Portuguese registration.

This exemption relates specifically to ISV. If you are importing the vehicle from outside the EU, separate relief from VAT and customs duty may also apply under the relevant change-of-residence rules.

You should confirm how these rules apply to your circumstances before shipping the vehicle.

The most suitable way to bring your car to Portugal depends on its current location, condition, value, and the transport routes available.

You can drive it yourself, use a professional road transporter, or ship it by sea using roll-on/roll-off or container transport.

Drive the car to Portugal

If the vehicle is already in Europe, you may be able to drive it to Portugal. Before traveling, confirm that its registration, roadworthiness documentation, and insurance remain valid in every country you will pass through. You should also check whether any temporary or export license plates are recognized along the route.

Driving may reduce transport costs, but you should account for fuel, tolls, accommodation, ferries, and additional mileage. It is generally unsuitable if the vehicle is not roadworthy or its insurance and registration documents do not permit cross-border travel.

Use a professional road transporter

A vehicle transport company can collect the car and carry it to Portugal on an open or enclosed truck. This option is commonly used for vehicles located elsewhere in Europe and avoids adding mileage to the car.

Open transport is generally more economical, but the vehicle remains exposed to weather and road debris. Enclosed transport provides more protection and may be appropriate for classic, specialist, or high-value vehicles. If the car does not run, tell the transporter before booking because additional loading equipment may be required.

Use roll-on/roll-off shipping

With roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping, the vehicle is driven or moved onto a specialist vessel and secured below deck for the voyage. It can be more economical than reserving an entire shipping container, particularly for an operational vehicle traveling on an established Ro-Ro route.

Ro-Ro services are only available between certain ports and according to the carrier’s sailing schedule. Carriers also impose vehicle-acceptance conditions. The car will generally need to steer, brake, and roll safely, although some operators can accommodate non-operational vehicles using specialist equipment.

Personal belongings and loose items are normally prohibited inside a vehicle shipped by Ro-Ro. Confirm the carrier’s requirements before delivering the car to the departure port.

Ship the car in a container

Container shipping places the vehicle inside a sealed container, where it is secured for transport. This reduces access to the vehicle during the voyage and may be preferable for a classic, specialist, high-value, or non-operational car.

You can book a dedicated container or use a shared container service where available. A dedicated container provides greater control over the shipment, while a shared container may cost less but can take longer to depart because the shipping company must consolidate several vehicles or shipments.

Some container services allow other goods to be transported with the vehicle. However, you should not place personal belongings inside the car unless the freight forwarder and customs representative confirm that both the carrier and customs authorities permit it.

You can arrange any of these methods directly or appoint a freight forwarder or vehicle-import specialist to coordinate the transportation and shipping documents. Whichever option you choose, the same Portuguese inspection, tax, and registration requirements apply after the vehicle enters Portugal.

If you are shipping a vehicle from the United States, the available departure port will depend on the carrier, shipping method, and sailing schedule. US ports used for roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) or containerized vehicle shipments may include:

• Port Newark/Elizabeth, New Jersey
• Port of Baltimore, Maryland
• JAXPORT, Jacksonville, Florida
• Port of Brunswick, Georgia
• Port of Charleston, South Carolina
• Port Houston or the Port of Galveston, Texas
• Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California

Depending on the carrier and route, the vehicle may arrive at one of the following Portuguese ports:

• Setúbal
• Leixões, near Porto
• Lisbon
• Sines

Not every departure port offers a direct service to each Portuguese port. Your shipment may be transferred to another port before reaching Portugal. Confirm the loading and discharge terminals, shipping method, route, and any transshipment arrangements with your logistics provider before booking.

The official Portuguese vehicle import requirements do not list a biosecurity certificate or proof that the vehicle has been cleaned to a “free-from-soil” standard. However, cleaning the vehicle before shipping can help you meet any separate conditions imposed by the carrier, departure port, or transshipment port.

Before handing the vehicle to your logistics provider:

• Clean the undercarriage and wheel arches: Remove accumulated mud, vegetation, and other debris from the chassis, suspension components, tires, and wheel wells.
• Check the engine compartment: Remove leaves, grass, nesting material, and other loose debris. Avoid using cleaning methods that could damage electrical or mechanical components.
• Vacuum the interior and cargo areas: Clean the carpets, floor mats, trunk, and storage compartments. Remove personal belongings unless the shipping company expressly allows them.
• Clean around seals and openings: Check the rubber seals around the doors, hood, trunk, and windows, where dirt and plant material can accumulate.
• Confirm the carrier’s requirements: Ask your shipping provider whether it requires professional cleaning, photographs, an inspection, or a cleaning receipt before accepting the vehicle.

Keep the cleaning invoice or receipt with your shipping records if professional cleaning is required. However, you should not assume that this document forms part of the DAV or IMT application unless the relevant Portuguese authority specifically requests it in your case.

• Keep evidence of the vehicle’s arrival date: Retain ferry tickets, toll receipts, transport records, or shipping documents. The 20-working-day deadline for submitting the Vehicle Customs Declaration (Declaração Aduaneira de Veículos, or DAV) begins when the vehicle enters Portugal.
• Calculate the complete cost before transporting the vehicle: Use the official ISV simulator, then add transportation, inspection, registration, license plates, insurance, and any required technical modifications.
• Confirm your exemption eligibility in advance: If you are transferring your residence, check the official ISV exemption conditions before shipping the vehicle. Collect evidence of your previous residence, vehicle ownership, and deregistration from the country of origin.
• Verify your insurance coverage in writing: Confirm when your foreign insurance ends and when the Portuguese policy begins. Do not assume that an existing policy covers the vehicle throughout the import and registration process.
• Check the technical requirements before committing to importation: A vehicle without a Certificate of Conformity (COC), a right-hand-drive vehicle, or a vehicle requiring modifications may involve additional approval, inspection, and registration costs. Confirm the likely requirements with IMT before arranging transportation.