Importing a Car from Germany to Portugal (2026): Costs, ISV and Risks
What it costs, when it pays off and where the risks are. With an example calculated by our engine.
Short answer
Importing a used car from Germany pays off mainly for cars over 5 years old, engines above 1,250 cm³, premium cars and plug-in hybrids. The ISV age reduction (up to 80%) can offset the extra cost of ISV, transport (about 1,100 €) and legalisation (about 350 €), but it depends on your case. Example calculation: a 2019 VW Golf 2.0 TDI bought for 17,900 € comes to about 21,113 € on the road. The process has 4 steps and takes 2 to 6 weeks.
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When it pays off
- Cars over 5 years old: ISV reduction of 52% at 5 years and 80% at 10.
- Large and premium engines (3.0 diesel, 2.0 petrol with 200 hp): common in Germany, rare and expensive in Portugal.
- Plug-in hybrids with range and CO₂ within the limits (25% of the ISV) and electric cars (exempt). Conventional hybrids only get a reduction if the electric range is above 50 km and CO₂ is below 50 g/km.
- Versions and equipment that do not exist in Portugal.
- As a rule it does not pay off for 1.0 to 1.2 city cars under 3 years old.
Who it is for: anyone buying a car of 10,000 to 30,000 € who wants to compare the final price with the Portuguese market before paying a deposit.
What sets the final price
The exact cost of your car, before you pay the deposit
The process in 4 steps
Choosing and checking the car
Transport to Portugal
Declaration to the AT and payment of the ISV
Inspection, type approval and Portuguese registration
Typical duration: 2 to 6 weeks after the car arrives. There are short legal deadlines, measured in weeks, and missing them means a fine.
Real costs: an example
VW Golf 2.0 TDI, June 2019, 1,968 cm³, 112 g/km WLTP. Figures from our calculation engine.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Car price (dealer, IVA included) | 17,900 € |
| Transport to Portugal (reference) | 1,100 € |
| ISV (−65% for 7 years of age) | 1,763 € |
| Legalisation and registration (reference) | 350 € |
| On-the-road total | 21,113 € |
| IUC for year 1 (not included in the total) | 241.50 € |
Compare the result with the price of the same car on Portuguese listings. Example calculation, not a promise of savings.
Other examples (ISV only, 2026 tables): BMW 320d 03/2016 → 1,398 €; Toyota Yaris Hybrid 09/2020 → 753 € (conventional hybrid, no hybrid reduction); Mercedes C 350e PHEV 05/2015 → 204 €; Audi A6 3.0 TDI 10/2013 (pre-Euro 6) → 3,670 €; Tesla Model 3 → 0 €.
Open this example in the calculator and swap in the data of the car you are looking at.
Financing the import
Portuguese banks finance cars with Portuguese plates, not a car that is still German. Two realistic options: a personal loan, or paying cash and refinancing with a car loan after registration. Rule of thumb: financing more than 70% of the value rarely pays off compared with buying in Portugal with a car loan.
The exact cost of your car, before you pay the deposit
Mistakes that cost thousands of euros
- Calculating the ISV with the CO₂ in the listing instead of the CO₂ in the car's document.
- Buying without the full ownership title, or a car that is still financed and held by the bank.
- Forgetting the 500 € surcharge on older diesels (before Euro 6).
- Buying a car under 6 months old or under 6,000 km and finding out about the 23% IVA in Portugal.
- Buying a model without European type approval: getting it registered is slow and expensive.
- Missing the legal deadlines for the declaration and payment: fine and risk of seizure.
- Not comparing the on-the-road price with equivalent listings in Portugal.
What we do for you
| Service | Today | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Exact calculation of the ISV, IUC and on-the-road cost of your car, with a reply by Telegram, WhatsApp or e-mail | Yes | |
| New-listing alerts with an ISV button (ISV, total cost and margin estimate) | Yes, on Telegram | @TugaCarroBot |
You can do the process on your own. Each mistake in the list above costs hundreds to thousands of euros and weeks. We give you the calculation before you pay the deposit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to bring a car from Germany to Portugal?
For a 2019 Golf 2.0 TDI bought for 17,900 €, about 21,113 € on the road: transport about 1,100 €, ISV 1,763 €, legalisation about 350 €.
The IUC for year 1 (241.50 €) comes after.
Source: TugaCarro calculation.
Does a used EU car pay IVA in Portugal?
A used car coming from the EU, over 6 months old and over 6,000 km, pays no IVA in Portugal.
If it has fewer months or kilometres, it pays 23%. From outside the EU it always pays IVA.
How long does it take?
2 to 6 weeks after the car arrives in Portugal.
TugaCarro estimate, not an official deadline.
Does importing a car from Germany pay off?
As a rule yes for cars over 5 years old and large engines; as a rule no for city cars under 3 years old.
Can I finance the import?
Only after Portuguese registration, with a car loan or personal loan.
Portuguese banks finance cars with Portuguese plates, not a car that is still German.
Do I need help to import?
It is not mandatory, but a mistake with the ISV, IVA or documents costs hundreds to thousands of euros.
Today we calculate the cost and reply by Telegram, WhatsApp or e-mail.
Can I bring my car without paying ISV if I change residence?
Yes, also when moving from an EU country, if you lived there at least 6 months, owned the car there at least 6 months and apply within 12 months of the move; 12 months without selling it after registration.
Full conditions: CISV art. 58 to 61 and the AT page on the residence-transfer exemption.
The exact cost of your car, before you pay the deposit
ISV, IUC and on-the-road cost of your car.