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Importing a car into Portugal
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pointersister
- CVO Senior
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 9:12 pm
- Location: Warrenpoint and Carvoeiro
Importing a car into Portugal
Can anyone who has imported a car for their own personal use tell me how they went about it and what the costs might be. I have looked at a site and this is what I have found out about taking in your own pre registered car on which all taxes have been paid.
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
So I take it that you could leave a car for your own use at your place in Portugal and MOT, Tax and insure it there without becoming a resident?? Any enlightenment?
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
So I take it that you could leave a car for your own use at your place in Portugal and MOT, Tax and insure it there without becoming a resident?? Any enlightenment?
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ivor largen
- CVO Regular
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:23 am
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Content deleted by Mod
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Bruce Wallis
- CVO Oracle
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- Location: Wroxham, Norfolk/ Vale de Centiannes
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Without getting into too much detail.......matriculation onto a Portuguese plate is very expensive. somtimes it seems to be more than the UK 2nd hand value of the car.....ie several thousand.
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
The time for the car being owned & registered in your name has now changed from 6 months to 12 months.
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
It will also cost you more if you are " Non Resident ".
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matoserrao99
- CVO Regular
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:10 am
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Hi,
I imported my car recently and the following is basically correct.
God alone knows what the other answers are about.
The only thing it doesn't mention is that a UK car here is subsequently very difficult to sell, and depending on engine size, co2 emissions etc you can end up paying a hugely inflated annual road tax - based on the import date not the age of the car.
There are lots of agents here who will help you with the process - most charge around 500euros
If you do it yourself the costs are approx 200euros +time, effort, several visits to customs / imtt/ ipo etc
If you'd like any further info please send a pm.
how to do it - info copied from heyportugal
It is possible to import a vehicle to Portugal from the UK or other EU country without paying additional taxes, provided the vehicle has been fully tax-paid in your former country of residence, and you have been the registered owner of the vehicle in your former country of residence for at least 12 months.
Before embarking on this procedure, be aware this can be a lengthy process with a large amount of paperwork involved. It is possible to employ an agent to undertake this, but their costs can be considerable. This article therefore includes criteria to be met and steps to be taken in order to minimise the time and inconvenience involved.
To commence, you must:
a) transfer your residency status to Portugal. If you do not transfer your residency, then you cannot import a vehicle tax-free. See steps (1) and (2) below for details.
b) lodge an application to the Alfandega (Customs Office) with jurisdiction for your area of residence. This should be done within 6 months of the date on which your Portuguese residency commences. Your contact should be the Head Office for your area, which may involve quite a few kilometres to be travelled.
Paperwork required:
1. Original of your “Atestado de Residencia”. Obtained from your local Junta de Freguesia. Cost approx. €3.
2. A copy of the certificate of transferring your residency ( Certificado de Registo de Cidado Da União Europeia). Obtained from your local Camara. Cost approx. €7.
3. Consular certificate. Persons previously resident in the UK should request a “Certificate to Import a Vehicle” from the UK Embassy in Lisbon. All contact can be via telephone and e-mail, with the Certificate being posted to you. You will be required to provide :
- proof of UK residency for the previous 12 months eg utility bills, council tax payments or similar
- your passport,
- certificate of residency (see 2. above).
Cost is €85. Persons from other European countries should contact their own Consulate for details.
4. Registration Certificate for the vehicle – original + 3 copies.
5. Proof of residency in the UK (or other EU country) for at least 12 months prior to transferring your residency, eg, copies of payslips, water bills, electricity bills. Although provided in (3) above, the Alfandega will also require these.
6. 2 copies each of : your passport, fiscal number paperwork, and driving licence
7. Certificate of Conformity for the vehicle. Available from the vehicle manufacturer (this can be done prior to leaving your former country of residence). Request a copy in Portuguese and one in your native tongue; this will be crucial in assisting you to complete required paperwork. There may be a charge for this certificate.
8. IMTT form Modelo 9. Complete the details for “Requerente” and “Características do veículo”. The form must be taken to a vehicle inspection (see (9) below) and the “Inspecção” section completed. It must also be taken to your local IMTT office for their official stamp.
9. Inspection Type B. Click on Tipo B to find your nearest IPO station (like UK MOT centre). Please note that Inspection centres will not undertake any necessary works, they are inspection centres only. Prior to inspection:
- ensure your vehicle corresponds to the Certificate of Conformity eg ensure that any after-market alterations, such as wheels, are the correct size.
- UK right-hand drive vehicles will require headlights (and fog lights if applicable) altered for driving on the right-hand side of the road
- ensure that you have a Hi-Viz warning vest and a Portuguese Warning Triangle. Inspectors will check this.
If in doubt, check with a local garage first. The actual inspection costs approx. €68.
In addition, you will be required to purchase and complete the following forms from the Alfandega :
a) Mod 221100
b) Mod 211063 (for Alfandega use only)
c) Mod 221101
These cost under € 3 and are self-explanatory. These forms ask for personal details, and vehicle details which can be copied from the Certificate of Conformity.
The Alfandega will also provide you with, and ask you to complete, a “Declaration of Value” for your vehicle” and an “Authority for Consultation”.
Once all documents have been completed and received by the Alfandega, your case will be considered, and a decision sent to you in writing.
If successful, you must not sell the vehicle within 6 years (we are couble checking this as 2 different time periods have been quoted).
If unsuccessful, you may either pay the required customs duty, or take the vehicle out of Portugal. Your intent will require to be declared to the Alfandega within 30 days of their decision.
I imported my car recently and the following is basically correct.
God alone knows what the other answers are about.
The only thing it doesn't mention is that a UK car here is subsequently very difficult to sell, and depending on engine size, co2 emissions etc you can end up paying a hugely inflated annual road tax - based on the import date not the age of the car.
There are lots of agents here who will help you with the process - most charge around 500euros
If you do it yourself the costs are approx 200euros +time, effort, several visits to customs / imtt/ ipo etc
If you'd like any further info please send a pm.
how to do it - info copied from heyportugal
It is possible to import a vehicle to Portugal from the UK or other EU country without paying additional taxes, provided the vehicle has been fully tax-paid in your former country of residence, and you have been the registered owner of the vehicle in your former country of residence for at least 12 months.
Before embarking on this procedure, be aware this can be a lengthy process with a large amount of paperwork involved. It is possible to employ an agent to undertake this, but their costs can be considerable. This article therefore includes criteria to be met and steps to be taken in order to minimise the time and inconvenience involved.
To commence, you must:
a) transfer your residency status to Portugal. If you do not transfer your residency, then you cannot import a vehicle tax-free. See steps (1) and (2) below for details.
b) lodge an application to the Alfandega (Customs Office) with jurisdiction for your area of residence. This should be done within 6 months of the date on which your Portuguese residency commences. Your contact should be the Head Office for your area, which may involve quite a few kilometres to be travelled.
Paperwork required:
1. Original of your “Atestado de Residencia”. Obtained from your local Junta de Freguesia. Cost approx. €3.
2. A copy of the certificate of transferring your residency ( Certificado de Registo de Cidado Da União Europeia). Obtained from your local Camara. Cost approx. €7.
3. Consular certificate. Persons previously resident in the UK should request a “Certificate to Import a Vehicle” from the UK Embassy in Lisbon. All contact can be via telephone and e-mail, with the Certificate being posted to you. You will be required to provide :
- proof of UK residency for the previous 12 months eg utility bills, council tax payments or similar
- your passport,
- certificate of residency (see 2. above).
Cost is €85. Persons from other European countries should contact their own Consulate for details.
4. Registration Certificate for the vehicle – original + 3 copies.
5. Proof of residency in the UK (or other EU country) for at least 12 months prior to transferring your residency, eg, copies of payslips, water bills, electricity bills. Although provided in (3) above, the Alfandega will also require these.
6. 2 copies each of : your passport, fiscal number paperwork, and driving licence
7. Certificate of Conformity for the vehicle. Available from the vehicle manufacturer (this can be done prior to leaving your former country of residence). Request a copy in Portuguese and one in your native tongue; this will be crucial in assisting you to complete required paperwork. There may be a charge for this certificate.
8. IMTT form Modelo 9. Complete the details for “Requerente” and “Características do veículo”. The form must be taken to a vehicle inspection (see (9) below) and the “Inspecção” section completed. It must also be taken to your local IMTT office for their official stamp.
9. Inspection Type B. Click on Tipo B to find your nearest IPO station (like UK MOT centre). Please note that Inspection centres will not undertake any necessary works, they are inspection centres only. Prior to inspection:
- ensure your vehicle corresponds to the Certificate of Conformity eg ensure that any after-market alterations, such as wheels, are the correct size.
- UK right-hand drive vehicles will require headlights (and fog lights if applicable) altered for driving on the right-hand side of the road
- ensure that you have a Hi-Viz warning vest and a Portuguese Warning Triangle. Inspectors will check this.
If in doubt, check with a local garage first. The actual inspection costs approx. €68.
In addition, you will be required to purchase and complete the following forms from the Alfandega :
a) Mod 221100
b) Mod 211063 (for Alfandega use only)
c) Mod 221101
These cost under € 3 and are self-explanatory. These forms ask for personal details, and vehicle details which can be copied from the Certificate of Conformity.
The Alfandega will also provide you with, and ask you to complete, a “Declaration of Value” for your vehicle” and an “Authority for Consultation”.
Once all documents have been completed and received by the Alfandega, your case will be considered, and a decision sent to you in writing.
If successful, you must not sell the vehicle within 6 years (we are couble checking this as 2 different time periods have been quoted).
If unsuccessful, you may either pay the required customs duty, or take the vehicle out of Portugal. Your intent will require to be declared to the Alfandega within 30 days of their decision.
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pointersister
- CVO Senior
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 9:12 pm
- Location: Warrenpoint and Carvoeiro
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Thanks for that. Really appreciated 
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Great post with plenty of useful first hand information. I wish you all the best in your new home in Portugal and trust you are enjoying every minute of it.matoserrao99 wrote:Hi,
I imported my car recently and the following is basically correct
a) transfer your residency status to Portugal. If you do not transfer your residency, then you cannot import a vehicle tax-free.
If unsuccessful, you may either pay the required customs duty, or take the vehicle out of Portugal. Your intent will require to be declared to the Alfandega within 30 days of their decision.
In Pointersisters case she is non resident so does anyone know how to calculate the import duty/tax?
a) transfer your residency status to Portugal. If you do not transfer your residency, then you cannot import a vehicle tax-free.
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Steen Jakobsen
- Site Admin
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- Contact:
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
http://www.guiadoautomovel.pt/index.php ... Itemid=133joeysoap wrote:matoserrao99 wrote: In Pointersisters case she is non resident so does anyone know how to calculate the import duty/tax?
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Have a go with this if you want to frighten yourself. Last year I saw a spectacular 2001 BMW 540i Sport for sale in the UK and wondered what it would cost to import it. The answer was €15000+ and the ICU would have been calclated on the CO2 emissions rather than the engine size and fuel type normally used for a vehicle of that age.
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
matoserrao99
i am a little confused to say the least!can you clarify the matriculation thing to me PLEASE??? i have a property in carvoeiro&i have a fiscal number but i am not a resident.i have a left hand drive car an 1999 audi tt 1.8 petrol that has been owned®istered to me at my uk address for over 12 months.do i have to pay the import tax or matriculation fee which usually equates to the same value or in some cases more than the value of the vehicle you wish to import.the value of my audi tt is approx £5,000&i have been told that it would be approx 6,000 euros to matriculae the car
i am a little confused to say the least!can you clarify the matriculation thing to me PLEASE??? i have a property in carvoeiro&i have a fiscal number but i am not a resident.i have a left hand drive car an 1999 audi tt 1.8 petrol that has been owned®istered to me at my uk address for over 12 months.do i have to pay the import tax or matriculation fee which usually equates to the same value or in some cases more than the value of the vehicle you wish to import.the value of my audi tt is approx £5,000&i have been told that it would be approx 6,000 euros to matriculae the car
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
To be resident you have to have "left "the UK that Portugal is now your home, just owning a property does not qualify.
The rules for matriculation that apply to you are those for a "non resident " which can make it far more expensive.
This is one of the reasons why we have not bought over our old but still reliable MG. It would cost about 4 times more than the car is worth and that is a lot of hire car rentals.
The rules for matriculation that apply to you are those for a "non resident " which can make it far more expensive.
This is one of the reasons why we have not bought over our old but still reliable MG. It would cost about 4 times more than the car is worth and that is a lot of hire car rentals.
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Depending on what is meant by the first line on the form provided by Steen - but inputting a value of €10,000 -5 year old- 1,000cc - 130 emmisions and hey the figure comes up a minus. (don't think the Portuguese will actually pay you to import though 
) ie a Toyota Yaris, small but perfectly formed , well not according to Clarkson - but he's not always right, even if he thinks he is 
chance are that a non resident will leave it used more the greater part of the year.
) ie a Toyota Yaris, small but perfectly formed , well not according to Clarkson - but he's not always right, even if he thinks he is chance are that a non resident will leave it used more the greater part of the year.
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matoserrao99
- CVO Regular
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:10 am
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
Hi alf1956,
to import a car and register it in Portugal(matriculate) tax free you must be a Portuguese resident.
If you're not resident you must pay the import duties, and the way the Portuguese calculate them is completely crazy.
Its hugely inflated by what they've called a 'green tax' - this is designed to protect the very expensive Portuguese new and second hand car market.
For your car 6k seems about right, for mine it worked out at about 18k (that was 5k more than it was worth) mainly because the car has a 3 litre engine.
hope this helps
to import a car and register it in Portugal(matriculate) tax free you must be a Portuguese resident.
If you're not resident you must pay the import duties, and the way the Portuguese calculate them is completely crazy.
Its hugely inflated by what they've called a 'green tax' - this is designed to protect the very expensive Portuguese new and second hand car market.
For your car 6k seems about right, for mine it worked out at about 18k (that was 5k more than it was worth) mainly because the car has a 3 litre engine.
hope this helps
Re: Importing a car into Portugal
matoserrao99
thanks for your info !what is the mileage in getting a friendly resident ideally portuguese to import it for you & then after a certain length of time buying it from them?i am thinking there will be some restrictions on this either a time thing or a limit in how many cars you can import as aresident or there would be people doing it all the time.
thanks for your info !what is the mileage in getting a friendly resident ideally portuguese to import it for you & then after a certain length of time buying it from them?i am thinking there will be some restrictions on this either a time thing or a limit in how many cars you can import as aresident or there would be people doing it all the time.