Juleskitoo

Hi Guys,

This is my first posting. I'm about to move to Portugal to renovate a building and need a van for the two years its going to take. I've heard that vans in Portugal are not the cheapest, yet I've also heard that importing a van from outside Portugal has its drawbacks as well (wrt to registration MoT etc).

I was considering buying a van in Spain then importing and registering in Portugal but wondered if anyone had done this or had a view on the cheapest way to do this.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Cheers,

Jules

mfesharne

Each adult new immigrant can matriculate/register 1 vehicle tax free if they & the vehicle fit the criteria but if you have to pay then it almost certainly won't be worth doing........ If it were then everyone would be doing it.

Loafing Along

You need to have owned it for at least one year if you wish to import it without a significant tax charge.

liveaboard

You can probably save a few euros by importing a van, IF you manage to conform to all the requirements to be exempted from the registration tax.

Older vehicles can be found with little or no rust in Portugal, and mechanics are cheaper than northern Europe; I suggest you buy a van locally, and use your time renovating that building.

https://www.olx.pt/carros-motos-e-ba...e%3Aasc&page=2

Ingles

Will the Van be staying full time in PT ,or will you be returning to UK periodically with the Van ?

Site for 2nd hand Commercial Vehicles

https://www.olx.pt/carros-motos-e-ba...scription%5D=1

Juleskitoo

Thanks - that might be the deal breaker.

Juleskitoo

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction - having look a little more into this - its probs not worth the time or effort.

Juleskitoo

It will definitely be coming back to the UK periodically. Does this have implications?

Juleskitoo

Thanks - that's good advice. I'll take a look

mfesharne

Rules changed in the 2017 budget & current ones are that you have to have owned it & been a resident in the country of registration for 6 months beforehand instead of the former 12 months. have 12 months to begin the matriculation process instead of the former 6 months & now keep it for 1 year after instead of the former 5 years................... But confusingly, the EU law that states a foreign registered vehicle may only stay in Portugal for 6 months before beginning the matriculation process or being removed back to the country of registration for 6 more months has not changed.

Also, a registered resident of PT may not drive a foreign registered vehicle here unless they own it AND it has begun the matriculation process.

Ingles

This info MAY be well out off date , But back in the day ( 80's) you got a 6 months stay before your vehicle had to leave PT
I kept the ferry ticket in the van & showed it to the Police when I was stopped !

Juleskitoo

Thankyou. I'll check

Juleskitoo

Cheers, sounds a right palavar.