Vehicle Matriculation in Portugal
Article By KipperTree
07 03 2024
Free movement of people and goods is what makes Europe's Schengen agreement great, right? Well, not necessarily. Despite Europe’s Schengen agreement on the free movement of European Citizens and goods, not all rules apply to the movement of vehicles and there are some taxes charged by different EU Countries that differ and conform to different regulations.
Taxes in Portugal
Here in Portugal, there is a tax called the "Impostos Especiais Sobre o Consumo". This means that we have some goods that pay special taxes and have special laws: petrol products, vehicles, alcohol and tobacco, to name but a few, are all affected. These taxes in each country within the European Union vary due to each country's regulations and cause fluctuation in prices: cars are no different.
You are only allowed to keep a foreign-registered vehicle in Portugal for a maximum of 180 days before you must take one of the following actions.
Matriculate it to Portugal or remove the vehicle back to the country of registration for a further 180 days. This is obviously a complete pain if this involves great distances or indeed you are from an island.
If you legally have a foreign registered car in Portugal for any period within 180 days, it must be taxed, tested & insured in its country of registration and there is no exception.
If the GNR or the Policia stop you whilst driving a foreign plated vehicle in Portugal and you cannot prove the vehicles entry and exit date or if the vehicle is without valid tax, test and insurance that covers European travel, they can permanently confiscate the vehicle which they may then sell or even destroy.
Don’t be fooled by tales online, a foreign-registered vehicle can be put through a Portuguese IPO/MOT inspection; however, the pass certificate is not legally recognised in Portugal and is not a replacement for the certificate from the country of the vehicle's origin.
You will see and hear of many people, each from various countries flouting the law and driving illegal, non-matriculated vehicles without tax, insurance or indeed an inspection. Don’t do it, as if you were involved in an accident the consequences of time in a Portuguese prison is really not worth it.
For all the facts on Car importation, please don’t listen to hearsay, get the information from a registered formal source.
For information regarding Portuguese Road laws, accidents, alcohol limits, documentation, pedestrian crossings, personal devices, police, roundabouts, documentation, safety equipment, seat belts, speed limits road laws and other driving issues.
If it all seems a little daunting why not look at our partners who can help you navigate the law?
