How to Legalize an Imported Car in Portugal (2026)

To legalize an imported car in Portugal you complete four steps: a Category B technical inspection, filing the DAV within 20 working days of entry, paying the ISV — Portugal's car import tax — normally within the next 10 working days, and getting Portuguese plates from the IMT. Well managed, the process takes 3 to 5 weeks. Below is each step with documents, deadlines, costs and the most common mistakes for 2026.

If you are still deciding, read whether it is worth importing a car in 2026 and our guide on how to import a car from Germany.

Step 1 — Bring the car into Portugal

The car enters the country driven on its foreign plates (with valid insurance) or on a car carrier. Keep the proof of transport and the entry date — the legal deadlines count from that date. Cars from outside the EU (for example from Ukraine) also require customs clearance with duties and VAT, covered below.

Step 2 — Technical inspection (Category B) and CoC

Before registration, the car passes a Category B technical inspection (an import roadworthiness test) at an inspection centre, which issues the Model 112 certificate confirming the car meets Portuguese safety and environmental standards.

This is also where the CoC (Certificate of Conformity) comes in — issued by the manufacturer, it lists the model's technical specifications. With the CoC and Model 112 you complete the IMT Model 9 to obtain the national homologation number. Without a CoC, an individual homologation is required — slower and more expensive.

Step 3 — File the DAV and pay the ISV

The DAV (Vehicle Customs Declaration) is the electronic form that notifies the Tax Authority the vehicle has entered Portugal. It is filed on the Finance Portal (customs area) and must be submitted within 20 working days of the car's entry. Missing this deadline can trigger fines and interest.

Once the DAV is filed, a payment document is generated for the ISV (Vehicle Tax), normally due within the following 10 working days. ISV is paid once, at legalization, and adds up two components:

• Engine displacement component — based on engine capacity (cc);
• Environmental component — based on CO₂ emissions (g/km).

Used cars get an age reduction that grows with the car's age (up to roughly 15 years). Fully electric vehicles are exempt from ISV, and qualifying plug-in hybrids get a reduction. Simulate the figure in our ISV calculator before buying — it is the line item that weighs most on the final cost. And if you browse cars on mobile.de, our Chrome extension shows the ISV right on the listing.

Step 4 — Request the Portuguese plate at the IMT

With the ISV paid, you request the plate assignment from the IMT and the registration certificate. As a rule, you have 60 days from the plate assignment to complete the registration and pay the fee. The plate is then printed at a specialised shop — and the car is legalized, ready to drive.

Step 5 — Pay the IUC every year

Unlike ISV (paid once), the IUC (Annual Circulation Tax) is yearly, charged in the month the plate was assigned. For EU/EEA cars, IUC uses the first foreign registration date; for non-EU cars, the first Portuguese registration date. Electric cars are exempt. Estimate this recurring cost in our IUC calculator.

Documents to legalize an imported car (checklist)

• CoC (Certificate of Conformity) or national homologation number;
• Registration document / title of ownership from the country of origin;
• Purchase invoice (dealer) or sale declaration (private);
• Proof of transport of the vehicle to Portugal;
• Filed DAV and proof of ISV payment;
• IMT Model 9 and inspection Model 112;
• ID document and a Portuguese NIF.

Deadlines: 20, 10 and 60 days

Legalizing an imported car in Portugal usually takes 3 to 5 weeks: 20 working days to file the DAV, 10 working days to pay the ISV and 60 days to complete IMT registration.

Costs to expect

Always add the ISV to the purchase price to understand the true cost of the car.

Most common mistakes

• Missing the 20-working-day DAV deadline — this triggers fines;
• Not simulating the ISV before buying and discovering too late that the tax kills the deal;
• Buying a car without a CoC, forcing a slow individual homologation;
• Confusing ISV (one-time) with IUC (annual) and not budgeting the recurring cost;
• Forgetting that non-EU cars also pay customs duties and VAT.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to legalize an imported car?

Usually 3 to 5 weeks if the paperwork is complete. Delays with the CoC or inspection can extend this.

Can I drive on foreign plates during the process?

Yes, for a limited period, provided you have valid documents and insurance and meet the DAV deadlines. After that, an unlegalized car can be seized.

Is ISV the same as IUC?

No. ISV is paid once when legalizing; IUC is an annual circulation tax. They are two separate taxes.

Do electric cars pay ISV and IUC?

Fully electric cars are exempt from both ISV and IUC. Qualifying plug-in hybrids receive reductions.

What if the car comes from outside the EU?

Customs clearance with import duties and VAT applies on top of the ISV. The process is more complex and professional support is recommended. In some change-of-residence cases (car registered in your name abroad for 6+ months) an ISV exemption may apply — confirm with the AT.

We handle the legalization for you

Bureaucracy, tight deadlines and the ISV calculation put many buyers off importing. At Clara Cars we offer turnkey legalization: inspection, DAV, ISV, homologation and registration, with the amount calculated before you commit. See our import-to-order service, browse the catalogue of available cars, or if you want to trade, learn how we buy your car. Important: always confirm deadlines and amounts with the AT and IMT, as rules may be updated.