Who is this for
Expats importing a vehicle from the UK, EU or elsewhere
People who have purchased a car in Portugal and need it registered
Anyone whose foreign-registered car needs to be legalised in Portugal
What is car registration
Importing a vehicle to Portugal involves customs clearance (for non-EU imports), an IMT registration process, mandatory inspection (IPO), and insurance. The process varies significantly depending on where the vehicle is from and your residency status. We manage the paperwork and logistics from start to finish.
Why use Algarve Made Easy
Vehicle importation is one of the most bureaucratically complex processes for new residents. Customs documents, ISV (vehicle tax), insurance requirements, and IMT registration all need to happen in the right order. Mistakes are expensive and time-consuming.
Documents required
- Vehicle registration document (logbook/V5 or equivalent)
- Original purchase invoice
- Valid passport and NIF
- Proof of Portuguese residency
- Insurance policy valid in Portugal (we can arrange this)
- Customs clearance documents if importing from outside EU
Everything included in your service
- Full assessment of costs and timeline for your vehicle and origin country
- ISV (vehicle tax) calculation
- IPO (vehicle inspection) coordination
- IMT registration and new Portuguese plates
- Customs paperwork for non-EU imports
- Insurance arrangement through our broker service
You might also need
Vehicle insurance is mandatory in Portugal — we can arrange competitive cover as a licensed broker.
Insurance