Registering a Foreign Vehicle in Portugal

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Registering a Foreign Vehicle in Portugal

It is not obligatory to register a foreign vehicle for private use in Portugal for the first 180 days of a visit in any one calendar year, unless the owner intends to live permanently in Portugal.

However the following conditions must be met:

1. The vehicle is registered in the name of a person who is not a resident in Portugal
2. The vehicle is brought into Portugal and driven there by its registered owner or keeper
3. The vehicle is for private use only

Registering a Foreign Vehicle

Before registering a vehicle in Portugal on a permanent basis the owner must apply for a Residency Card (Cartão de Residência) from the Portuguese immigration authorities, SEF (Serviços de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras). 

An imported car or bike must conform to the Portuguese road standards under what is termed "homogenisation" (Homogeneização) before it can be registered. The complexity of the process can vary according to age, make and origin of the vehicle. 

Information is available from the directorate general for traffic, the DGV (Direcção Geral de Viação). 

• See the section on vehicles and technical inspections: Click here (in Portuguese) 

Importing a Vehicle from an EU country

Import Duty

Used vehicles: No import duty is due on a used vehicle imported for personal use, providing that tax has been paid in the EU country where it was bought, that it has belonged to the registered owner for at least six months and that the owner was resident in the previous EU country for at least 185 days (six months). 

If the owner takes up residency in Portugal the car must be legally registered with the DGV within 12 months.

New vehicles: IVA (Value Added Tax) on a new vehicle bought in another EU member state must be paid in Portugal unless the Portuguese custom's authority (Direcção Geral de Alfândegas) is provided with the original purchase receipt stating that the VAT has been paid, and proof of a valid foreign registration of the vehicle. 

Note: In the case of a new vehicle where taxes cannot be proved to have been paid (usually in the case of a new car imported for resale), registration in Portugal must be made within four working days of the entry of vehicle. Take the vehicle's original registration documents and original sale receipts to the local customs office (Alfândega Portuguesas). 

Registering the vehicle

Registration is recorded at both the local customs office and the DGV. 

The Portuguese authorities may ask for documents other than those listed below. It's advisable to first check on forms and documents required.

The following documents are usually needed:

• A fiscal certificate or tax clearance form issued by customs. In some instances, there are customs and tax charges payable (depending on the model, power, age and mileage of the vehicle)
• A Certificate of Compliance (Form 1402) issued by the DGV confirming that the vehicle has undergone an inspection
  • To download Form 1402: Click here (in Portuguese)
• A certificate of "homogenisation" from the vehicle manufacturer or certified representative in Portugal to identify that the vehicle is of a recognised type in Portugal or the EU
• Copy of the foreign vehicle registration certificate
• A certificate of roadworthiness (IPO) for a vehicle over four years old
  • The technical inspection (Inspecção Periódica Obrigatória, IPO) is made at a DGV approved garage. This checks vehicle identification, brakes, tyres, emissions, noise levels, lights, steering, windscreen and wipers, and chassis (inside and out) condition
  • See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Roadworthiness in Portugal

• Driver's licence (Cartão de Condução)
• Proof of identity (passport, identity card (Bilhete de Identidade))
• Proof of residency (Cartão de Residência), evidence of application for residency, or proof of residence (property title deeds, rental contract, utility bills, insurance certificate)
• Taxpayer's identification card (Cartão Fiscal de Impostos or Cartão de Contribuinte) and number plus three year's tax returns or a declaration from the tax office stating income earned (in Portugal or elsewhere) over the previous three years
• A certificate of cancellation of residence issued by the former country of residence or their Consulate in Portugal

Once the application has been submitted, customs may issue a limited-validity authorisation (Guia de Circulação) which means the vehicle may be used while the application is in process. 

Registering a Vehicle from a non-European Union Country

The DGV issues the certificate of compliance (Form Nº 1402). Apply to the Vehicle Registration Office (Conservatória do Registo Automóvel) for a Change in Licence Plate Application (customs will usually help with this process on the driver's behalf). This initiates the process of registration. A dossier will be opened.

Complete a Declaração de Circulação and a form for additional information about the vehicle. The dossier will be sent to the DGV which will notify the owner by mail when to present the vehicle for examination at an IPO (Inspecção Periódica Obrigatória) test centre.

If the vehicle passes the IPO test, the DGV will issue a statement of approval. Take this and the other documents to Customs, who will issue a new vehicle registration number (matrícula).

• Proof of identity (passport, identity card)
• Proof of residence (property title deeds, rental contract, utility bill, insurance certificate)
• A copy of the foreign registration certificate
• Copy of the Certificate of Compliance (Form Nº 1402) (issued by the manufacturer or their local agent/dealer)
• A copy of the certificate of purchase and customs clearance certificate, issued by the customs office (Alfândega Portuguesas)
• IPO roadworthiness certificate

The registration number and other documents are taken to the Vehicle Registry (Conservatória do Registo Automóvel) for issue of the DUA. Following this, new number plates must be made and fitted.

Importing Motorbikes and Scooters

The procedure is virtually the same as for cars and other light vehicles except that a test will be required on noise emissions. Present the following documents to the DGV and Customs and Vehicle Registry as described above.

• Fill out Form 1402
  • To download Form 1402: Click here (in Portuguese)
• Hand Form 1402 into the official representative of the vehicle producer in Portugal for certification (Homogeneização)
• Take the motorbike or scooter to a DGV approved test centre (IPO) for a roadworthiness test including noise inspection

Registration and Documents

The details of the vehicle's registration are recorded on the DUA (Documento Uníco Automóvel) or "All-in-One Card". This replaces the Vehicle Ownership Registration (Titulo de Registo de Propriedade), Licence Plate (Matrícula) and Log Book (Livrete) card. Vehicle registration documents must be carried in the car at all times.

DUAs - and the registration of new or second hand vehicles can be done at a local civil registry office, the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e Notariado).

• For the section on registration of vehicles: Click here (in Portuguese)
• The registration form can be downloaded: Click here (PDF in Portuguese)

Note: most websites and documentation needed for the process are in Portuguese. Staff at the Citizens' Shops (Lojas do Cidadão) can help in English with all matters concerning vehicles and registration.

• For a list of the local Citizens' Shops: Click here

Getting Portuguese registration (or licence) plates

Application for a change in licence plate is made through the IRN office. A new vehicle registration number (matrícula) is issued. This and the other documents are needed to get the DUA. Number plates must then be made and fitted

• To find a local IRN office: Click here
• For more information from the IRN: Click here (in Portuguese)

A used car that has been imported for personal use may not be sold, loaned to anyone outside the immediate family of the owner, or hired for a year following registration in Portugal. Only one vehicle may be imported tax-free per person every five years.

Importing and Registering Classic Cars in Portugal

Classic cars can be driven freely into Portugal providing they are for personal, temporary use and have the necessary vehicle taxation, insurance, and documentation.

Those wishing to import a classic car permanently into Portugal may drive the car for four days before registering it with the customs (Alfândegas).

• Vehicle tax (Imposto Automóvel) must be paid and display for cars less than 30 years old
• Vehicle tax is not required for cars over 30 years of age

Classic cars brought into Portugal on a permanent basis must meet the following legal requirements:

• Be classified by the International Classic Car Federation (Fédération Internationale des Véhicule Anciens, FIVA)
• Have a Classic Car Certificate (Certificado de Automóvel Antigo) from FIVA
• Have a Technical Logbook/Manual (Ficha Técnica) from FIVA or other competent organisation
• Have a colour photograph of the vehicle
• Have a vehicle Logbook (Livrete) and Owner's Document (Título de Propridade) issued in the name of the owner/driver
• Have the original and latest commercial purchase receipt (Factura Comercial)
• Have an Authority to Circulate Document (Guia de Circulação) issued by Customs (Alfândegas)
• Vehicles from the USA, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, India or the UK must meet European Union homologation approval standards if the vehicle is less than 30 years old

Vehicles manufactured before 1960 may be imported without restriction.

Import duty

A classic vehicle may be imported into Portugal tax-free provided:

• The vehicle is for private use only
• The registered owner of the vehicle is imported from another EU country where they have been resident for at least 185 days
• The vehicle has been used by its registered owner in their former country for at least six months
• DGV Certificate of Compliance Form 1402 has been filled out and submitted to the DGV confirming the vehicle has undergone an inspection
• The owner has submitted a copy of passport, driver's licence, residency (or application), tax details and number and at least three years' original tax returns
• A certificate of cancellation of residence issued by the person's consulate

The Portuguese Classic Cars Club (Clube Português de Automóveis Antigos) has a lot of useful information (in Portuguese).

• Clube Português de Automóveis Antigos (Head Office)
  At: Rua Duque de Saldanha 308, 4300-094 Porto
  Tel: 225 377 699 / 225 362 128
  Fax: 225 102 084
  e-mail
  Website

Related Information

• DGRN Car Registration Help Office (Gabinete do Apoio ao Registo Automóvel)
• Civil registry office IRN (Instituto dos Registos e Notariado)
• Directorate-General for Traffic (Direcção-Geral de Viação, DGV)
• Customs Office (Alfândegas Portuguesas)
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Driving in Portugal
• Contact information and addresses of local customs offices from the UK Embassy

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