# Importing a car from Spain to Portugal (2026): ISV, checks and costs

Source: TugaCarro (https://tugacarro.com/en/importar-carro-espanha/). Updated: 2026-11-14. ISV calculator: https://tugacarro.com/en/simulador-isv/

Spain is next door and the car can be driven over, but the Portuguese ISV is still due. Here is what it costs, what to check in a Spanish listing and when it pays off.

> General information, not legal or tax advice. Amounts are estimates. Always confirm with the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) and the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) before you buy.

## Short answer

A used car from Spain pays the ISV in Portugal with the age reduction and pays no VAT if it is over 6 months old and over 6 000 km. A 2018 Mercedes C 220 d pays about 2 045 € of ISV; a 2021 Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid about 1 806 €, because ordinary hybrids get no reduction. Transport costs little; registration about 350 €.

[See the C 220 d in the calculator](https://tugacarro.com/en/simulador-isv/?cc=1950&co2=117&f=diesel&h=none&y=2018&m=6)

## ISV on cars bought in Spain (2026)

Our engine's figures on 14 November 2026, first registered in June of the year shown.

| Car | ISV in Portugal | IUC per year |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes C 220 d, 2018 | 2 045 € | 241.50 € |
| VW Golf 2.0 TDI, 2019 | 1 763 € | 241.50 € |
| Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid, 2021 | 1 806 € | 221.38 € |
| Audi A3 1.5 TFSI, 2019 | 793 € | 148.22 € |

The Corolla hybrid pays more than the diesel Golf: an ordinary hybrid gets no ISV reduction, and the car is newer.

## What to check on a Spanish car

- DGT report: in Spain the official vehicle report shows the owner, charges and liens. Ask for it before you pay.
- Complete papers: in the seller's name and handed over complete.
- Official CO₂ and Euro standard: they set the ISV.
- Inspection (ITV) and mileage: past inspections help confirm the mileage.
- VAT: at 6 months or less, or 6 000 km or less, it pays 23% in Portugal.

## Example: a diesel Mercedes from Spain

Mercedes C 220 d, June 2018, 1 950 cc, 117 g/km NEDC. The purchase price is left out: use the one in the listing.

| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| ISV (70% reduction for 8 years of age) | 2 045 € |
| Registration and title (TugaCarro reference) | 350 € |
| Trip or transport from Spain | depends on the city |
| Annual IUC after registration | 241.50 € |

A worked example, not an offer. Compare the total with the same car in Portuguese listings.

[Open the example in the calculator](https://tugacarro.com/en/simulador-isv/?cc=1950&co2=117&f=diesel&h=none&y=2018&m=6)

## When buying in Spain pays off

Spain's advantage is distance: transport barely counts. The drawback is that the Portuguese ISV is the same as for a German or Dutch car, and Spanish prices are not always lower. Always compare the on-the-road cost with the Portuguese market; see [when importing pays off](https://tugacarro.com/en/compensa-importar-carro/).

## Typical mistakes

- Thinking a car from a neighbouring country pays no ISV: it does, like any EU car.
- Counting on an ISV reduction for an ordinary hybrid.
- Paying without the official vehicle report.
- Working out the ISV with the CO₂ from the listing instead of the papers.

See the full process in [registering an imported car](https://tugacarro.com/en/legalizar-carro-importado/).

## What we do for you

We work out the Spanish car's numbers before the deposit and handle registration in Portugal: declaration, ISV, inspection, plates and title. The cars we bring ourselves come from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does a car bought in Spain pay ISV in Portugal?** Yes. It pays the Portuguese ISV with the age reduction, like any car registered in another EU country. Only fully electric cars are exempt.

**How much ISV does a used car from Spain pay?** It depends on engine size, CO₂ and age: a 2018 Mercedes C 220 d pays about 2 045 €, a 2019 Audi A3 1.5 TFSI about 793 € (2026 tables).

**Does a used Spanish car pay VAT in Portugal?** No, if it is over 6 months old and has over 6 000 km. If it fails either condition, it pays 23%.

**Is it worth buying a car in Spain?** It depends on the price: transport is cheap, but the ISV is the same as for any European car. Compare the on-the-road cost with equivalent Portuguese listings.

**How do I know whether a Spanish car has liens?** Ask the seller for the official DGT vehicle report, which shows charges and liens. Without it, do not pay.

**How long does registration take?** Usually 2 to 6 weeks after the car arrives in Portugal (TugaCarro estimate).

## Read next

- [Register an imported car](https://tugacarro.com/en/legalizar-carro-importado/)
- [ISV calculator](https://tugacarro.com/en/simulador-isv/)
- [Import from France](https://tugacarro.com/en/importar-carro-franca/)
- [Transport to Portugal](https://tugacarro.com/en/transporte-carro-para-portugal/)
- [VAT on an imported car](https://tugacarro.com/en/iva-carro-importado/)

## Tools

- ISV calculator with "outside the EU" mode: https://tugacarro.com/en/simulador-isv/
- TugaCarro bot on Telegram: https://t.me/TugaCarroBot