How to import my car when moving residence to Portugal?

Moving to Portugal may grant you exemption from vehicle tax (ISV), customs duties and VAT. Learn how to qualify.

Whether you are an emigrant returning home or a foreigner starting a new chapter in Portugal, moving residence requires bureaucracy and care to benefit from all rights granted.

One such benefit is vehicle legalization. A foreign vehicle obtaining Portuguese plates is generally subject to ISV (vehicle tax), customs duties (if from a third country) and VAT. However, when the import occurs as part of a change of residence, you may be exempt from all of these — provided the conditions and documentation are met.

Conditions

1. The owner must have been normally resident outside Portugal for at least 6 months.
2. The vehicle must have been owned for at least 6 months in the country of origin.
3. The owner must reside in Portugal for at least 180 days per year.
4. The deadline to benefit is 12 months from cancelling residence abroad.
5. The owner cannot sell, donate, lease or lend the vehicle for 12 months after Portuguese registration.

Required documents

• Certificate of Residence with start/end dates
• Daily-life documents for each of the last 6 months
• Vehicle registration proving ownership for over 6 months
• Portuguese residence certificate from the Junta de Freguesia