Register a Car in Portugal as a Non-Resident

Portugal allows non-residents to use a car registered in another EU country for a limited time each year. For part-year visitors, German registration is the simplest legal way to keep your own car in Portugal.

400+ customers · Drivers in 50+ countries

See Pricing

Can a non-resident register a car in Portugal?

It is possible on paper but heavy in practice. Registering an imported car with Portugal's IMT means:

  • A Portuguese tax number (NIF) and an address in Portugal
  • A customs vehicle declaration (DAV) filed within 20 working days of the car entering Portugal
  • Paying the vehicle tax ISV, calculated on engine size and CO2 (used EU cars get a reduction by age)
  • A Portuguese inspection, then requesting registration from the IMT within 60 days of the customs clearance
  • After that, the annual circulation tax IUC

For someone who spends a few months a year in Portugal, that is a lot of cost and paperwork for a car that also needs to be legal elsewhere.

The 6-in-12-months rule for EU-registered cars

Portugal's temporary admission regime lets non-residents use a car registered in another EU country without Portuguese registration, for up to 6 months, consecutive or not, in any 12-month period. The conditions, set out on the official gov.pt guide and in the Portuguese road code (art. 30 CISV):

  • You are not resident in Portugal (residence generally means 185 days or more a year, or a habitual home there)
  • The car is registered in your name, or you can show you are its legitimate user
  • It is driven by you, your spouse or partner, or close family who are also non-residents

After 6 months in a 12-month window, the car has to leave Portugal or be imported and registered there. Keep proof of when the car entered (ferry or toll receipts).

How CarTurf gets you driving in Portugal, with German plates

  1. You buy the car, new or used, in Portugal, Germany or anywhere else in Europe.
  2. We register it in Germany. Our German partner CarTurf UG becomes the registered Halter; you stay the owner (Eigentümer). See Halter vs Eigentümer.
  3. You get German plates and AXA insurance. Registration takes 1–5 business days once we have the documents. Default insurance covers drivers aged 23+; drivers aged 18–22 can be added at a higher premium. AXA’s Schutzbrief for assistance abroad is included; ADAC cover can be added for €149/year.
  4. You drive in Portugal and across Europe. Ongoing paperwork (vehicle tax, TÜV/HU admin, fines sent to the registered address) runs through us in English.

Customers contract with CarTurf Global FZCO (Dubai). Our German partner CarTurf UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is the registered Halter. For plans and prices, see Pricing.

Driving in Portugal: licence and local rules

  • Licence: EU licences are valid. Visitors with a non-EU licence can drive on it for a limited period; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
  • Tolls: many motorways use electronic-only tolls. Foreign-registered cars can link a card to their plate at the border (EASYToll) or use a toll device.
  • Inspection: a German-registered car follows the German HU/TÜV schedule, not the Portuguese IPO. See TÜV inspection in Germany.
  • Storage between stays: if the car stays in Portugal while you are away, the months still count. Many customers store it in Germany between trips. See car storage.

Portuguese registration vs German registration through CarTurf

RequirementPortuguese registrationGerman registration via CarTurf
NIF and Portuguese address Required Not needed
Customs declaration (DAV) Within 20 working days of entry Not needed
Vehicle tax on import ISV (engine size and CO2) None in Portugal
Annual tax IUC German vehicle tax, handled by us
Time in Portugal Unlimited Up to 6 months in any 12
Who it is for Portuguese residents Non-residents

Portuguese requirements: gov.pt, IMT, Autoridade Tributária. For CarTurf prices see [Pricing](/pricing).

Staying more than 6 months a year?

The temporary admission limit is 6 months in any 12, and it is only for non-residents. If you live in Portugal or stay longer, you need Portuguese registration. Ask us if you are unsure: contact.

Drive your own car in Portugal without importing it

We register it in Germany in 1–5 business days once the documents are in.

See Pricing
FAQ

Portugal registration FAQ

Yes in principle, with a NIF and a Portuguese address, but an imported car needs a customs declaration (DAV), ISV vehicle tax and an inspection first. Part-year visitors usually keep EU registration instead.

Up to 6 months, consecutive or not, in any 12-month period, as long as you are not resident in Portugal and the car is in your name or you are its legitimate user.

Generally someone who spends 185 days or more a year in Portugal or has their habitual home there. Residents cannot use the temporary admission regime.

You, your spouse or partner, or close family members, all of whom must also be non-residents.

The car must leave Portugal or be imported and registered there. Many customers store the car in Germany between stays.

Yes. You buy it as the owner and we register it through our German partner in 1–5 business days once we have the documents. See buying a car in Portugal.