Is it worth importing a car in 2026? The sum that decides, with real numbers
Importing pays off for many cars and not for others. The difference is almost always age, engine and ISV. Here is the sum, with the same car in different years.
Short answer
Importing a used car from the EU pays off mainly for cars over 5 years old, engines above 1 250 cc, premium models, plug-in hybrids and EVs. It rarely pays off for small city cars under 3 years old. The reason is the ISV: the same VW Golf 2.0 TDI pays about 1 305 € if it is from 2016 and about 4 030 € if it is from 2025.
The sum that decides
VAT only comes in if the car is 6 months old or less, or has 6 000 km or less (it pays 23%), or comes from outside the EU. The annual IUC is the same as for a car bought here with the same Portuguese registration.
The same car, different years
VW Golf 2.0 TDI, 1 968 cc, 112 g/km, registered in June of each year. ISV from our engine on 14 November 2026.
| Year | Age reduction | ISV |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 80% | 1 305 € |
| 2018 | 70% | 1 957 € |
| 2019 | 65% | 1 763 € |
| 2021 | 52% | 2 418 € |
| 2023 | 35% | 3 274 € |
| 2025 | 20% | 4 030 € |
The 2019 Golf pays less than the 2018 one because from September 2018 the WLTP CO₂ is converted to the lower NEDC equivalent.
Send us the listing and we tell you if it pays off
The engine matters as much as the age
| Car | ISV in Portugal | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| VW Polo 1.0 TSI, 2020 | 100 € (minimum) | The ISV does not count: any gain must come from the car price |
| BMW 520d, 2018 | 2 145 € | Executive diesel: plenty of supply abroad |
| Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6, 2018 | 6 430 € | High ISV: only worth it if the price gap is large |
| BMW 330e, 2021 (plug-in) | 528 € | Plug-in meeting the conditions: ISV at 25% |
When it pays off and when it does not
Always compare with equivalent listings in Portugal. Our catalogue shows cars to import with the ISV and on-the-road cost already worked out, next to the Portuguese market median.
Mistakes that turn a good deal into a bad one
- Comparing the price abroad with the price here without adding ISV, transport and registration.
- Using the CO₂ from the listing: a few grams change the ISV by hundreds of euros.
- Forgetting VAT on a nearly new car.
- Counting on the hybrid reduction for an ordinary hybrid.
- Comparing with Portuguese listings of cars with more mileage or less equipment.
See the full process in registering an imported car.
Send us the listing and we tell you if it pays off
What we do for you
Since 2022 we have been bringing cars from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Send us the listing: we work out the on-the-road cost and tell you in writing whether it pays off against the Portuguese market.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth importing a used car in 2026?
Usually yes for cars over 5 years old, engines above 1 250 cc, premium, plug-ins and EVs.
Usually not for small city cars under 3 years old. Always do the on-the-road sum and compare with Portugal.
What does importing a car cost on top of the price?
The ISV (depends on the car), about 1 100 € transport and about 350 € registration (TugaCarro references).
A 2019 Golf 2.0 TDI adds about 3 213 € to the price.
Why does an older car pay less ISV?
Because the ISV on a used car from the EU has an age reduction of 10% to 80% (ISV Code art. 11).
A car 10 years or older pays 20% of the tax.
Is it worth importing an electric car?
Often yes: an EV pays no ISV or IUC, so the cost on top of the price is just transport and registration.
Is it worth importing a car from outside the EU?
Rarely, except when moving with the exemption: a used car from outside the EU pays ISV as new, 0% or 10% duty and 23% VAT.
How do I know whether the Portuguese price is higher?
Compare with listings of the same model, year, mileage and equipment.
Our catalogue shows the Portuguese market median next to the imported car's on-the-road cost.
Read next
Send us the listing and we tell you if it pays off
The tax on the car you are looking at.