By: Short answer: a turnkey import from Germany to Portugal means one team handles everything — finding the car, the COC, transport, DAV, IMT homologation, inspection and ISV — and delivers it on a Portuguese plate for an agreed fee. It's worth it when you want the right car without managing deadlines or paperwork. What decides the deal is not the fee alone but the total cost to registration: German price + transport + ISV + inspection/homologation + fee. Run the numbers first on our ISV calculator and let our sourcing service find the car.
What a turnkey import means in Portugal
You hand the whole process to a single party instead of coordinating the seller, a transporter, the IMT, an inspection centre and the tax office yourself. In Portugal this appeals to people who lack the time, don't speak technical Portuguese, or got burned trying to import alone. The do-it-yourself route is laid out step by step in how to import a car from Germany to Portugal; turnkey swaps that work for a fee.
What is usually included
A serious package covers: sourcing and vetting the car (history, mileage, accidents), obtaining the COC, transport to Portugal, the DAV customs declaration on time, the IMT homologation (Modelo 9), the category-B inspection (Modelo 112), calculating and paying the ISV, and the final registration with the DUA. Get in writing what is and isn't included — insurance, plates and the warranty vary the most between providers.
What it costs, honestly
The total is German price + transport + ISV + inspection/homologation fees + service fee. A fixed fee is easy to compare; the ISV isn't, because it depends on CO2, engine capacity and the car's age — so estimate it up front on the ISV calculator for the specific model. Once registered, there's also the annual IUC, a separate recurring tax not to be confused with the one-off ISV. A good service shows you this full total before you commit, not just the fee.
Turnkey vs doing it yourself
| Your situation | Probably better |
|---|---|
| No time and don't want to manage deadlines | Turnkey |
| Don't know the IMT / tax-office process | Turnkey |
| Want a specific hard-to-find model | Turnkey (with sourcing) |
| Imported before and have the time | Do it yourself |
| Want to control every euro of the process | Do it yourself |
What to ask before you hire
Always ask: the estimated total to registration (not just the fee), who pays if the inspection fails, what happens if the car has a hidden fault, and whether there's a warranty. Check the car's history and date codes to avoid hidden accidents — the paperwork side is in our car sourcing service, and confirm whether importing is worth it first. A service won't fix a bad car choice.
Note: Clara Cars is an independent sourcing and import service, not a public authority. ISV and IUC figures are indicative and depend on the vehicle and current tables; confirm the exact amount on the official simulator before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a turnkey import from Germany cost?
It depends on the car and the service. The fixed fee is one part; the total also includes price, transport, ISV and inspection fees. Ask for the estimated total to registration, not just the fee.
How long does it take?
Usually 4 to 8 weeks, driven by transport, the COC and IMT/inspection appointments.
Is the ISV included in the service price?
Not always. The fee is often separate from the ISV, which is paid to the tax office. Confirm in writing whether the quoted figure already includes the ISV.
Turnkey or do it myself — which is better?
Turnkey saves time and the risk of missing deadlines; doing it yourself saves the fee but takes time and knowledge of the IMT/tax process. It depends on your time and experience.
