By: Short answer: importing a car from Germany to Portugal in 2026 is a fixed sequence: buy the car and get its COC, bring it in, register the customs declaration (DAV) within the legal deadline, pass the IMT homologation (Modelo 9) and the category-B inspection (Modelo 112), pay the one-off ISV, then get your Portuguese plate (matrícula) and DUA. Do the tax maths before you buy — a 2–3 year old German car is often cheaper than the same car in Portugal, but the ISV can swing that. Start by working out the numbers on our ISV calculator and let us find and import the car for you.
Is it worth importing a car from Germany to Portugal?
Usually yes for a 2–4 year old car, because German used prices are lower and the choice is far wider. But the honest comparison is: German price + transport + ISV + inspection/homologation fees versus the Portuguese price for the same car. On a well-chosen model the total still comes out below Portugal; on some petrol SUVs the ISV eats the gap. Never decide on the German sticker price alone — decide on the landed, registered total. If you are still choosing the car, read what car to buy in Portugal in 2026 and whether importing is worth it first.
Step 1 — Buy the car and secure the COC
Buy privately, from a German dealer or at auction. The single document that makes or breaks a Portugal import is the Certificate of Conformity (COC / CoC) — the EU paper proving the car's technical specs. Get it from the seller or order it from the manufacturer before the car leaves Germany; chasing it afterwards costs weeks. Keep the German registration parts (Zulassungsbescheinigung I and II) too.
Step 2 — Bring it in and file the DAV on time
Once the car is in Portugal you must register the customs declaration — the DAV (Declaração Aduaneira de Veículo) — within the legal deadline (counted from entry). This is the step people miss, and a late DAV means fines. The DAV is what triggers the ISV assessment, so treat the clock as real from the day the car crosses the border.
Step 3 — IMT homologation (Modelo 9) and inspection (Modelo 112)
The IMT must confirm the car's data against its COC — that is the homologation, Modelo 9. In parallel the car needs a category-B registration inspection (Modelo 112) at an IPO centre, checking identity and roadworthiness. Order matters: you need the inspection result and the homologation number to complete the customs and registration steps. Budget a few weeks for appointments.
Step 4 — Pay the ISV, then register and get your plate
The ISV is the one-off registration tax, calculated from CO2 emissions, engine capacity and an age reduction (older car = lower ISV). Estimate it up front on our ISV calculator; if you are moving to Portugal, check whether you qualify for the change-of-residence exemption. After paying, you register the car, receive the Portuguese matrícula and the DUA (registration certificate), fit Portuguese plates and take out local insurance. From then on you pay the annual IUC road tax — a separate, recurring tax, not to be confused with the one-off ISV.
Where people lose money (and how we avoid it)
The three classic traps: a missing or wrong COC (weeks of delay), underestimating the ISV so the "bargain" evaporates, and a car with a hidden accident or clocked mileage. On the last one, verify the service history and date codes — see how to legalise an imported car in Portugal for the paperwork side. When we source and import for you, the COC, DAV, homologation, inspection and ISV are handled as one process with a fixed fee, so there are no surprises between the German auction and your Portuguese plate.
Note: Clara Cars is an independent car sourcing and import service, not a public authority. ISV and IUC figures are indicative and depend on the specific vehicle and current tables; confirm the exact amount on the official simulator before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to import a car from Germany to Portugal?
Typically 4–8 weeks from purchase to Portuguese plate, driven mainly by transport, the COC, and IMT/inspection appointments. Missing the COC or a late DAV are the usual causes of delay.
How much is the ISV on a German import?
It depends on CO2, engine capacity and the car's age (older cars get a larger reduction). There is no flat figure — estimate it on the ISV calculator for the exact car before you buy, because it can change whether the import is worth it.
What is the difference between ISV and IUC?
ISV is the one-off tax you pay once to register the imported car in Portugal. IUC is the annual road tax you pay every year afterwards. They are separate taxes with separate calculations.
Can I avoid the ISV?
Only if you qualify for the change-of-residence exemption when you move your normal residence to Portugal, and you meet the ownership and timing conditions. Otherwise the ISV is due on registration.
Do I need the Certificate of Conformity (COC)?
Yes. Without a valid COC the IMT homologation stalls. Get it from the seller or order it from the manufacturer before the car leaves Germany.
