Registering an imported car in Portugal (2026): what you pay and how long it takes
You bought, or are about to buy, a car abroad and need Portuguese plates. Here is what you pay, in what order, how long it takes and where people lose money.
- Short answer
- What you pay to register an imported car
- How the ISV of a used car is calculated
- The 4 stages of registration
- Example: a 2019 Golf from Germany
- From the EU or from outside: a big difference
- Guides by country and topic
- Mistakes that delay or add cost
- What we do for you
- Frequently asked questions
Short answer
Registering a used car from the EU in Portugal costs mainly the ISV (vehicle tax), which depends on engine size, CO₂ and age, plus about 350 € for registration and title (TugaCarro reference). A June 2019 VW Golf 2.0 TDI pays 1 763 € of ISV in November 2026. There are 4 stages and it usually takes 2 to 6 weeks after the car arrives.
What you pay to register an imported car
| Cost | When | How much |
|---|---|---|
| ISV (vehicle tax) | Always, once, before the plates. Fully electric cars are exempt | Depends on the car: from the 100 € minimum to several thousand |
| VAT (IVA) | New cars from the EU (6 months or less, or 6 000 km or less) and any car from outside the EU | 23% on the mainland |
| Customs duty | Only cars from outside the EU | 0% or 10%, depending on where the car was made |
| Registration and title | Always | About 350 € (TugaCarro reference) |
| IUC (annual road tax) | Every year after Portuguese registration | 2019 Golf 2.0 TDI: 241.50 € a year |
For a used car from the EU the sum is ISV plus registration plus transport. The ISV is the part that varies most and the only one that can change the buying decision.
How the ISV of a used car is calculated
See the plug-in rule in the guide ISV on plug-in hybrids.
Know what registering your car will cost
The 4 stages of registration
Checking the papers before you buy
Complete title, European type approval and official CO₂.
Transport to Portugal
On a truck or driven on temporary plates from the country of origin.
Declaration to the tax authority and ISV payment
The vehicle customs declaration (DAV) and the ISV.
Inspection, type approval and Portuguese plates
Then the title in your name and the IUC.
Typical duration: 2 to 6 weeks after the car arrives (TugaCarro estimate, not an official deadline). The law sets short deadlines, counted in weeks, for the declaration and the payment; missing them means a fine.
Example: a 2019 Golf from Germany
VW Golf 2.0 TDI, June 2019, 1 968 cc, 112 g/km WLTP, bought from a dealer for 17 900 €. Our engine's figures on 14 November 2026.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Car price (VAT paid in the country of origin) | 17 900 € |
| Transport to Portugal (reference) | 1 100 € |
| ISV (65% reduction for 7 years of age) | 1 763 € |
| Registration and title (reference) | 350 € |
| Total on the road | 21 113 € |
| IUC, first year (separate) | 241.50 € |
A worked example, not a promise of savings. Compare the total with the same car in Portuguese listings.
Open the example in the calculator and change it to your car
From the EU or from outside: a big difference
| Used car from the EU | Used car from outside the EU | |
|---|---|---|
| ISV | With the age reduction | As a new car, no age reduction |
| VAT | None if over 6 months and over 6 000 km | 23% on customs value, duty and ISV |
| Duty | No | 0% or 10% |
| 2019 Golf 2.0 TDI | ISV about 1 763 € | ISV about 5 037 €, plus VAT |
For the UK, Switzerland and the US, read Importing a car from outside the EU. If you are moving to Portugal with your own car, you may pay nothing: ISV exemption when you move.
Know what registering your car will cost
Guides by country and topic
- Germany: the largest used-car market in Europe.
- Netherlands: many plug-in hybrids and EVs, public technical data.
- Belgium: diesels and family estates, certified mileage.
- France and Spain: close by, plenty of choice.
- VAT on an imported car, transport to Portugal and when importing pays off.
Mistakes that delay or add cost
- Working out the ISV with the CO₂ from the listing instead of the papers.
- Buying without the complete title, or a car still financed by a bank.
- Buying a model without European type approval: getting it approved is slow and expensive.
- Forgetting the 500 € surcharge on pre-Euro 6 diesels.
- Buying a car 6 months old or less, or with 6 000 km or less, and finding 23% VAT due.
- Missing the declaration and payment deadlines: a fine and late plates.
What we do for you
Since 2022 we have been bringing cars from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to Portugal and handling the registration: declaration, ISV, inspection, plates and title. Before you pay a deposit we send you the ISV, the IUC and the on-the-road cost in writing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register an imported car in Portugal?
For a used car from the EU, the ISV plus about 350 € for registration and title (TugaCarro reference).
The ISV depends on the car: a 2019 Golf 2.0 TDI pays 1 763 €, a 2020 Polo 1.0 TSI pays the 100 € minimum, an electric car pays nothing.
How long does registration take?
Usually 2 to 6 weeks after the car arrives in Portugal.
That is a TugaCarro estimate, not an official deadline. Cars from outside the EU or without European type approval can take months.
Does a used car from the EU pay VAT in Portugal?
No, if it is more than 6 months old and has more than 6 000 km: the VAT was paid in the country of origin.
If it fails either condition, it pays 23% in Portugal.
Does the ISV on an imported car get an age discount?
Yes, from 10% to 80% depending on age (ISV Code art. 11), but only for cars registered in another EU country.
A used car from outside the EU pays as new.
Does the car need type approval?
A car with European type approval passes inspection with the manufacturer's certificate of conformity.
A car without it, typically from the US, may need changes and individual approval, which takes longer and costs more. Check this before you buy.
Can I register the car myself?
You can.
The costliest mistakes are the wrong CO₂, incomplete papers and missed deadlines. We give you the numbers before you buy and can handle the whole process if you prefer.
Read next
Know what registering your car will cost
2026 tables, free.