Importing a vehicle to portugal

Navigating the process of importing a vehicle to Portugal can be complex. This page provides clear, honest guidance to help you make an informed decision. Discover the true costs, challenges, and potential benefits involved in bringing your vehicle to Portugal.

Should you import your car?

Before deciding to import your vehicle, ask yourself honestly: is it worth it? In most cases, the answer is no. The costs, complexity and ongoing expenses often outweigh any benefit. But if you have a specialist vehicle, a nearly new car, or strong sentimental attachment, here is everything you need to know.

The true cost of importing

ISV (Imposto Sobre Veículos)

This is the vehicle registration tax. It is the biggest cost and often shocks people.

ISV is calculated based on:

Engine capacity (cc)
CO2 emissions
Vehicle age
Fuel type

Typical ISV costs:

The older your car, the less reduction you get. Age reductions are capped, so a 10-year-old car does not pay dramatically less than a 5-year-old car.

Diesel vehicles pay significantly more due to emissions calculation.

Typical ISV costs:

Vehicle Type	Approximate ISV
Small petrol (1.0-1.4L, low emissions)	€1,000-3,000
Medium petrol (1.6-2.0L)	€3,000-6,000 Reduced rates
Large petrol (2.0L+)	€5,000-15,000+
Diesel vehicles	Higher than equivalent petrol
High-performance/luxury	€10,000-30,000+
Electric vehicles	Exempt or heavily reduced
Hybrid vehicles

The older your car, the less reduction you get. Age reductions are capped, so a 10-year-old car does not pay dramatically less than a 5-year-old car.

Diesel vehicles pay significantly more due to emissions calculations.

Time and Stress

The process takes:

2-6 months typically
Multiple government office visits
Chasing paperwork
Waiting for appointments
Dealing with bureaucracy in Portuguese

The stress cost is real. Many people describe it as one of the worst parts of their move.

The Import Process

Step 1: Gather Documents

Before leaving your home country:

Vehicle registration document (V5C in UK)
Purchase invoice or proof of ownership
Certificate of Conformity (CoC) if available
Proof of residence in origin country
MOT/service history

Step 2: Arrive in Portugal

You have 6 months from establishing residency to register the vehicle.

During this period, you can drive on foreign plates legally (carry proof of arrival date).

Step 3: Obtain NIF

You need your Portuguese tax number before starting the process.

Step 4: Request ISV Exemption (If Eligible)

You may qualify for exemption or reduction if:

You owned the vehicle 6+ months before moving
You are transferring permanent residence
You meet other specific criteria

Apply through customs (Alfândega) before paying ISV.

Warning: Exemption is not automatic. Documentation requirements are strict. Many applications are rejected.

Step 5: Pay ISV

If no exemption, pay ISV at customs office.

Calculate expected amount in advance using online simulators.

Step 6: Vehicle Inspection (IPO)

Book inspection at authorised centre.

Vehicle must meet Portuguese standards. Failures require rectification and re-inspection.

Step 7: Registration

Submit documents to IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes).

Receive Portuguese registration document and plates.

Step 8: Insurance

Arrange Portuguese insurance before driving on Portuguese plates.

Total Realistic Costs

For a typical family car:

Cost

Amount

ISV

€3,000-8,000

Transport

€500-1,500

Inspection and registration

€150-250

Documents and translations

€100-200

Professional help

€300-500

Total

€4,050-10,450

For a larger, diesel or luxury vehicle, double or triple these figures.

Insurance Complications

Some Portuguese insurers:

Charge more for imported vehicles
Are reluctant to insure UK-spec cars
Require additional documentation

Right-hand drive vehicles are particularly problematic for insurance and resale.

Resale Value

Imported vehicles, especially right-hand drive, have significantly lower resale value in Portugal.

When you sell:

Smaller buyer pool
Lower prices offered
Dealers often refuse RHD vehicles

Your car loses value the moment it arrives.

Modification Costs

Portuguese inspection (IPO) may require:

Headlight adjustment or replacement (beam pattern)
Rear fog light repositioning
Speedometer conversion
Other compliance modifications

Budget €100-500 for potential modifications.

Other costs

Transport to Portugal:

Driving yourself: fuel, tolls, ferries, hotels (€300-800)
Professional transport: €800-2,000 depending on origin

Inspection (IPO):

Approximately €30-35
Must pass Portuguese standards
May require modifications

Registration and plates:

Administrative fees: €50-150
Number plates: €30-50

Document legalisation:

Translations: €50-150
Apostilles if required: €50-100

Professional help:

Import agent/despachante: €200-500
Highly recommended given complexity

Exemptions: The Reality

Transfer of Residence Exemption

Theoretically available for people permanently relocating.

Requirements:

Owned vehicle 6+ months before move
Used vehicle in previous country
Moving permanent residence
Apply within 12 months of establishing residency

Reality:

Documentation requirements are extensive
Proof requirements are strict
Processing takes months
Many applications rejected on technicalities
Appeals are slow

Do not assume you will get exemption. Budget for full ISV as a contingency.

EU vs Non-EU

The process is similar for EU and non-EU citizens, but:

Non-EU may have additional customs requirements
Documentation may require more legalisation

Right-Hand Drive Vehicles

Importing a right-hand drive (RHD) car to Portugal creates specific problems:

Legal Issues

Legal to drive, but some restrictions may apply
Overtaking is dangerous and impractical
Toll booths designed for left-hand drive

Practical Issues

Parking machines on wrong side
Drive-throughs difficult
Petrol stations awkward
Passengers must handle many interactions

Financial Issues

Insurance costs higher
Resale value very low
Smaller repair network for UK-spec vehicles

My Honest Advice

Do not import a right-hand drive vehicle unless:

It is extremely valuable or rare
You plan to return to the UK within 2-3 years
You accept you cannot sell it in Portugal

Information

When Importing Makes Sense

Import might be worthwhile if:

✓ Electric vehicle (no ISV, lower IUC) ✓ Nearly new vehicle with significant remaining value ✓ Specialist vehicle unavailable in Portugal ✓ Classic car with collector value ✓ Left-hand drive vehicle originally ✓ You qualify for and receive exemption

The Alternative: Buy in Portugal

Advantages

No import tax
No registration complications
Lower annual road tax for equivalent vehicles
Better resale value
Left-hand drive
Local warranty and service networks
Immediate use

Professional Help

I strongly recommend using a despachante (administrative agent) for vehicle imports.

They handle:

Documentation
Customs applications
Exemption requests
Government office visits
Translation and paperwork

Cost: €200-500

Worth every euro for the stress saved.

When Importing Does Not Make Sense

Do not import if:

✗ Vehicle is over 5 years old ✗ Diesel vehicle (high ISV and IUC) ✗ Right-hand drive and you plan to stay long-term ✗ Vehicle value is under €10,000 ✗ High emissions vehicle ✗ You want hassle-free transition

The Market

Portugal has:

Good selection of used vehicles
Reasonable prices (though not cheap)
Dealers throughout the country
Private sales available

Summary: The Honest Truth

Importing a vehicle to Portugal is:

Expensive (often €5,000-15,000+)
Time-consuming (2-6 months)
Stressful (significant bureaucracy)
Ongoing cost (higher annual tax)
Poor value (reduced resale)

For most people, the smart choice is:

Sell your vehicle before moving
Rent a car initially in Portugal
Buy a Portuguese vehicle once settled

This saves money, stress and ongoing costs.

If you still want to import, go in with eyes open and budget realistically for the true costs.

Hidden costs nobody mentions

Higher Annual Road Tax (IUC)

This is the cost that keeps taking.

Portuguese annual road tax (Imposto Único de Circulação) is calculated differently for imported vehicles registered after certain dates.

For imported vehicles, IUC can be significantly higher than Portuguese-bought equivalents.

Why? The calculation uses:

Original CO2 emissions
Engine capacity
Year of first registration
Fuel type

Imported vehicles often fall into higher tax bands.

Example annual IUC:

Portuguese-bought

Small petrol

€50-100

Medium diesel