Blog — import, taxes & tips
Car finance
Car loan vs renting (ALD) in Portugal: which one makes sense, and for whom
Loan or renting in Portugal? It comes down to one question: do you want to own the car at the end or not. We compare cost, ownership and APR so you choose without regret.
August 21, 2026Importing a car
Car Sourcing in Portugal: We Find the Best Car for You — Locally or Abroad
A car sourcing service searches the Portuguese market and EU dealer auctions closed to the public, checks the car's history and condition, and delivers it.
July 14, 2026
Which Car to Buy in Portugal in 2026: A Guide by Segment
New in Portugal means overpaying and steep depreciation. See what actually makes sense to buy in 2026, by budget and segment, with concrete numbers.
July 9, 2026
Is importing a car to Portugal worth it in 2026? The math
It depends on the model: in a typical calculation, a €20,000 car from Germany comes to ~€24,400 versus €30,000 at a Portuguese dealer. On cheap city cars.
June 24, 2026
Import a car from Germany to Portugal 2026: ISV & costs
Importing from Germany takes three steps: transport at €500–1,200, fixed costs of €1,500–2,500 before the import tax (ISV) and a 3–6 week process. Step by.
June 22, 2026
ISV & IUC taxes
ISV on non-EU cars: why there is no age reduction (and the mistake almost everyone makes)
The ISV age reduction only exists for EU-registered cars. A car from Switzerland, the UK or the USA pays the full ISV — even at 10 years old. We found this bug in our own calculator and fixed it; and the formula is open, so you can check.
August 21, 2026
New Rules for IUC Payment: 2026, 2027, and 2028
Changes in IUC payment starting 2027: learn how and when to pay.
August 9, 2026
Why ISV simulators give different numbers (and how to validate yours)
Two simulators, two numbers? The gap almost always comes from two things: the €500 diesel surcharge and WLTP vs NEDC CO2. Here's what to check before you.
July 17, 2026
See the Portuguese Import Tax (ISV) Right on mobile.de: Chrome Extension
Browsing cars on mobile.de or AutoScout24 for import to Portugal? Our free Chrome extension shows the ISV import tax and annual IUC right on the listing.
July 6, 2026
Legalization
How much it costs to import a car to Portugal: ISV and IUC (2026)
There's no customs duty on EU cars — the real cost of importing is the one-off ISV plus the annual IUC. Worked example and how to calculate it to the cent.
July 24, 2026
Legalize a Car in Portugal: Complete Guide (DAV, ISV, IUC)
Legalizing a car in Portugal: inspection, DAV within 20 working days, ISV, IMT plates within 60 days and annual IUC. Step by step with deadlines, costs.
June 29, 2026
How to Legalize an Imported Car in Portugal (2026)
Legalizing an imported car in Portugal means an inspection, the DAV within 20 working days, ISV payment and IMT plates — usually 3 to 5 weeks. 2026 guide.
June 26, 2026
Diaspora & expats
Why it's hard to sell a car above €15 000 as a private seller in Portugal (and what to do)
Above €15 000, the buyer expects warranty, financing and security that a private seller can't provide. Why you lose buyers and time in Portugal — and the two routes: instant purchase or commission.
August 17, 2026
Selling a car on commission in Portugal: how it works (and why there are costs even without a sale)
On commission, a stand sells your car for you and charges a percentage or a fixed amount. Why there are real costs even without a sale in Portugal — and how to choose between commission and an outright buyout.
August 11, 2026
Sell My Car Before Leaving Portugal: Fast, Fair, Paperwork Handled
Leaving Portugal? The fastest safe way to sell your car is a dealer buyout: online valuation, offer within a working day, payment before the ownership.
July 20, 2026
Sell Your Car Fast in Portugal: Direct Buy-Out in 1–2 Days
How to sell a car in Portugal in 1–2 days: online valuation, inspection, instant payment. An honest look at buy-out vs private sale.
July 6, 2026
Ukrainian plates in Portugal: the 180/183-day rule
A non-resident may drive a Ukrainian-plated car in Portugal for up to roughly 183 days in any 12 months. After that: legalize it (ISV import tax) or sell.
July 3, 2026
English-speaking car dealer in Portugal: buy, import, sell
An English-speaking car dealer in Portugal with four services: buy from stock, source, import to order or via auction, and sell your car. DAV, ISV import.
July 1, 2026
Scams & safety
The date on the glass and headlights: how to read it in a minute and spot a crash-repaired car
Factory glass and headlights are stamped with a date a month or two before the car itself was built. If one pane or headlight is newer than the rest, or.
July 13, 2026
Used-Car Buying Scams in Portugal: 7 Real Schemes and How to Stay Safe
Cloned listings, deposits by transfer, dream-priced 'German' cars, tampered odometers. The 7 most common schemes in Portugal — based on PSP and PJ police.
July 7, 2026
Car finance
Car leasing for private buyers in Portugal: why it rarely fits
In Portugal, car leasing was built for companies, not for you. We explain how leasing, a car loan and renting differ, and how to decide by looking at the TAEG first.
August 19, 2026
Car finance for foreigners in Portugal: NIF, income, residency (2026)
Can a foreigner get a car loan in Portugal? Documents (NIF, residence permit, income), TAEG and the taxa de esforço rule. We're not a lender or credit intermediary.
August 5, 2026
Car finance in Portugal: how it works and what it costs (2026)
Term, down payment, TAEG vs TAN and the real cost of a car loan in Portugal, with worked examples for a 20 000 € car.
July 8, 2026
Tag: Financing · Diaspora · Expats · Scams · Importing · ISV · IUC · Legalization
What we do: Import to order · Cars in stock · Import tax (ISV) · Road tax (IUC) · Sell my car