Buying a car in Portugal
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 84
Buying a car in Portugal
I need to buy a Portuguese registered car and having more or less reconciled myself to the huge hit to my bank balance, I need some advice about the process. Let's assume I've found a car and paid for it. What are the steps to get the ownership registered in my name? What about the equivalent of road tax? How is that paid? Are these things that the dealer would do or is it a question of shlepping round countless offices to get this done. I've got a NIF.
#2
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
I need to buy a Portuguese registered car and having more or less reconciled myself to the huge hit to my bank balance, I need some advice about the process. Let's assume I've found a car and paid for it. What are the steps to get the ownership registered in my name? What about the equivalent of road tax? How is that paid? Are these things that the dealer would do or is it a question of shlepping round countless offices to get this done. I've got a NIF.
If you are buying second hand, non-dealer worthwhile doing all the transaction at the Loja do Cidadao...Check thoroughly the DUA (Documento Único Automóvel ) registration paper , this will tell you who the registered owner is and if there is a finance house related to the previous purchase .Also look at annual inspection report - will give you a clear mechanical/kms history.
Basically very similar to doing the same in the UK - Log Book, MOT history , etc etc
#3
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Joined: Mar 2014
Location: East Algarve
Posts: 996
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
A dealer will help you but if you want neutral guidance you should go to your local Loja do Cidadao. Once the car is registered in your name the Tax Office will send you a demand for the annual road tax, and they will do this every year normally at the beginning of the anniversary month of registration.
If you are buying second hand, non-dealer worthwhile doing all the transaction at the Loja do Cidadao...Check thoroughly the DUA (Documento Único Automóvel ) registration paper , this will tell you who the registered owner is and if there is a finance house related to the previous purchase .Also look at annual inspection report - will give you a clear mechanical/kms history.
Basically very similar to doing the same in the UK - Log Book, MOT history , etc etc
If you are buying second hand, non-dealer worthwhile doing all the transaction at the Loja do Cidadao...Check thoroughly the DUA (Documento Único Automóvel ) registration paper , this will tell you who the registered owner is and if there is a finance house related to the previous purchase .Also look at annual inspection report - will give you a clear mechanical/kms history.
Basically very similar to doing the same in the UK - Log Book, MOT history , etc etc
#4
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
The tax office has never, ever sent me a demand for the annual road tax. In my 16 years' experience, you have to put the renewal date on your calendar and remember to pay it on time, otherwise you will receive a €25 fine, usually a year later. You can check online at the "AT Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira" (Tax & Customs) website to find out how much the renewal will cost and, at the same time, find the "Referência par Pagamento" so that you can make an online payment from your bank account or a Multibanco payment.
Text extract below :
"Na base de dados do registo automóvel consta que é proprietário da(s) seguinte(s) viatura(s) automóvel(eis) sujeita(s) a Imposto Único de Circulação (IUC):
O pagamento do IUC deve ser efetuado durante o mês de JULHO. Pode efetuar esse pagamento por uma das seguintes modalidades:
1.– Utilizando a seguinte referência para pagamento em qualquer caixa Multibanco, nos CTT, nos bancos ou em qualquer outro local de cobrança legalmente autorizado:"
Etc etc etc
Com os melhores cumprimentos,
O Chefe de Finanças
Have you registered correctly on the portaldasfinancas.gov.pt ??
#6
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
What do you mean by "correctly"? Is there a box to tick to receive email notifications?[/QUOTE]
Not a box but part of the registration process , you can voluntarily sign-up for notifications and then they send you an email with a time-limited code
"Para fiabilizar o seu endereço de correio electrónico, aceda a Os Seus Serviços > Outros Serviços > Confirmação de Contactos > Email e introduza o código abaixo indicado:"
You can check if they have your data and contact details in " A Minha Area " Dados Pessoais
Início Consultar Situação Cadastral Actual
Not a box but part of the registration process , you can voluntarily sign-up for notifications and then they send you an email with a time-limited code
"Para fiabilizar o seu endereço de correio electrónico, aceda a Os Seus Serviços > Outros Serviços > Confirmação de Contactos > Email e introduza o código abaixo indicado:"
You can check if they have your data and contact details in " A Minha Area " Dados Pessoais
Início Consultar Situação Cadastral Actual
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2014
Location: East Algarve
Posts: 996
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
Thanks Loafing Along. I followed your instructions and found that my accountant had entered her contact details in the boxes. So, all this time (16 years), she was probably getting notifications instead of me. I wondered why she contacted me many years' ago to tell me that my motorcycle was now subject to about €8 of road tax and I needed to pay it quickly. The tax has since been removed for small engined bikes. Thanks again, I should now start getting emails from the taxman.
#8
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
Thanks Loafing Along. I followed your instructions and found that my accountant had entered her contact details in the boxes. So, all this time (16 years), she was probably getting notifications instead of me. I wondered why she contacted me many years' ago to tell me that my motorcycle was now subject to about €8 of road tax and I needed to pay it quickly. The tax has since been removed for small engined bikes. Thanks again, I should now start getting emails from the taxman.
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: central Portugal
Posts: 4,111
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
Most but not all car prices in Portugal are obscenely high compared to some other nearby European countries & as an example of that a brand new Toyota Landcruiser station-wagon in Portugal is almost 3 times the price of the same vehicle in the UK but the good news is that bakkies/pick ups, double cabs & saloon cars with the rear seats removed & a dog guard like arrangement fitted are all classified as commercial vehicles & a good example of that is a brand new Toyota Hi-lux double cab here in Portugal is a similar price to the same vehicle in the UK & used prices are obviously related to new on a more or less pro rata basis. So if you can live with the inconveniences of a commercial vehicle you’re going to get a much better deal with such a vehicle.If you buy from a dealer then he is legally obliged to give you a 1 year guarantee however, it should be noted that a branded, main dealer is usually much more likely to honour that guarantee than a dealer that isn’t a branded main dealer & is rather just a side street used car sales set up. If a dealer offers you a shorter guarantee period or no guarantee or tells you his word is his bond & no written guarantee is necessary then he is breaking the law & you need to look elsewhere.
Annual road tax costs are significantly lower on vehicles that were registered here pre 2007(?) but as some vehicles have been imported & matriculated later in their lives, I suggest you check year of manufacture, year of matriculation & cost of annual road tax before you buy.Also remember that truly good mechanics are in short supply here in Portugal simply because they can earn so much more elsewhere in the world so I’d suggest you look primarily at vehicles that don’t have a lot of needless technology that might give problems later on.
Annual road tax costs are significantly lower on vehicles that were registered here pre 2007(?) but as some vehicles have been imported & matriculated later in their lives, I suggest you check year of manufacture, year of matriculation & cost of annual road tax before you buy.Also remember that truly good mechanics are in short supply here in Portugal simply because they can earn so much more elsewhere in the world so I’d suggest you look primarily at vehicles that don’t have a lot of needless technology that might give problems later on.
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 84
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
Thanks for the replies - all very helpful.
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 84
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
Thank you for all the replies - all very helpful..
#12
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
I'm looking at buying a new old car soon too.
I've been driving a diesel for a long time, but today the difference between diesel fuel and petrol is only about 8%.
Old diesels are being banned from many inner cities now, and 'old' is not very old.
Used petrol cars are cheaper, and usually have less km on them. I've seen some very good looking cars.
But everyone has their own needs; I only drive 10,000km per year, have a low budget, and I can do my own repairs. So I'm looking at cars that are 20 years old.
If I buy a second hand car privately, far from home, what's the procedure regarding driving it home?
I can get my insurance company to give me instant cover over the phone, but do I need to get the reg changed before I go, or is it normal to do that later? What about a receipt from the seller, is a hand written paper the norm or is there a specific form to be used?
I've done this only once, and it was 10 years ago.
My Portuguese is almost non-existent and I'm looking at a narrow range of vehicles, so I might find what I'm looking for many hours drive from home.
The inspection regime in Portugal now includes observing the SRS [airbag] light go on when powered up, and then off after some seconds [as it should]. also the ABS check/ warning lights if ABS is fitted. These gizmos are expensive to repair, so if you buy private, remember to have a look at the warning lights when you start the car.
It is possible to 'fake' these lights. The easiest way would be to attach them to the oil light; watch that they aren't synchronized.
Most cars in Portugal are kept inside.
A few years in the southern sunlight will blister the paint, and a respray isn't too expensive. But the interior gets damaged too, all the plastics and foams break down in the massive heat if the car has been parked in the sun day after day for a few years.
So look carefully, try to find a vehicle with good interior plastic.
Mechanical things I won't mention as they're the same as everywhere else.
I've been driving a diesel for a long time, but today the difference between diesel fuel and petrol is only about 8%.
Old diesels are being banned from many inner cities now, and 'old' is not very old.
Used petrol cars are cheaper, and usually have less km on them. I've seen some very good looking cars.
But everyone has their own needs; I only drive 10,000km per year, have a low budget, and I can do my own repairs. So I'm looking at cars that are 20 years old.
If I buy a second hand car privately, far from home, what's the procedure regarding driving it home?
I can get my insurance company to give me instant cover over the phone, but do I need to get the reg changed before I go, or is it normal to do that later? What about a receipt from the seller, is a hand written paper the norm or is there a specific form to be used?
I've done this only once, and it was 10 years ago.
My Portuguese is almost non-existent and I'm looking at a narrow range of vehicles, so I might find what I'm looking for many hours drive from home.
The inspection regime in Portugal now includes observing the SRS [airbag] light go on when powered up, and then off after some seconds [as it should]. also the ABS check/ warning lights if ABS is fitted. These gizmos are expensive to repair, so if you buy private, remember to have a look at the warning lights when you start the car.
It is possible to 'fake' these lights. The easiest way would be to attach them to the oil light; watch that they aren't synchronized.
Most cars in Portugal are kept inside.
A few years in the southern sunlight will blister the paint, and a respray isn't too expensive. But the interior gets damaged too, all the plastics and foams break down in the massive heat if the car has been parked in the sun day after day for a few years.
So look carefully, try to find a vehicle with good interior plastic.
Mechanical things I won't mention as they're the same as everywhere else.
#13
Re: Buying a car in Portugal
The tax office has never, ever sent me a demand for the annual road tax. In my 16 years' experience, you have to put the renewal date on your calendar and remember to pay it on time, otherwise you will receive a €25 fine, usually a year later. You can check online at the "AT Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira" (Tax & Customs) website to find out how much the renewal will cost and, at the same time, find the "Referência par Pagamento" so that you can make an online payment from your bank account or a Multibanco payment.