John Cousens

No I didn't . Thank you for that gem mfesharne . Another decision in tatters !!!!!! I knew that this move would have complications but I didn't realise just how many .

mfesharne

Are you coming from the UK or if not............ where?

John Cousens

UK .

mfesharne

In that case:https://assets.publishing.service.go...-_May_2018.pdf

John Cousens

Thank you mf. I intend to work so it looks like that is a stumbling block .

RichardHenshall

Whether you will work or not in Portugal has no bearing on your right to a 'tax-free' permanent import as a new immigrant to Portugal.

mfesharne

Absolutely correct.

John Cousens

Thanks Richard .
I see now that was a rule for temporary admission of a motor vehicle .

Mariboodebumbum

mfesharne

The rules are:Each adult new immigrant is allowed to import one motor vehicle free of import tax IF (note the big IF) the vehicle meets the required criteria which is:

The importer can prove the vehicle has been registered to the him/her for at least 6 months previously (in the country it's coming from) & that he/she has lived in that country for that time period, the importer must provide a Certificate of Conformity or if the vehicle was manufactured pre CoC they will accept a downloaded copy of the original sales brochure that shows the tech spec of the vehicle.

The vehicle must be standard or any (obvious) changes to the vehicle must be listed on a letter from a main dealer or manufacturer listing all changes from standard stating & that all said changes from standard are acceptable replacements.

The matriculation process must be started within 12 months of the applicant getting his/her Residencia. (it was previously 6 months) Whilst you can do the matriculation process yourself, it's much easier if you have a local agent do it for you & current (at time of writing (March 2018)) cost is usually about €400 plus the one off matriculation inspection of about €125 + annual road tax.

Road tax is calculated on engine size & emissions and priced as a new car on the date of matriculation not on year of manufacture. If you do go the tax free import route, you are not allowed to sell the car for 1 year unless you repay the tax you've previously avoided but if you did pay the tax then you can sell it any time you wish.

If you pay the import tax it's calculated on age of vehicle, engine size & emissions NOT on value & is often VERY expensive, especially for cars with large engines/high emissions & some cars can cost tens of thousands of Euros & one day difference in the date of manufacture from one year to the next can sometimes mean a massive increase/decrease in tax payable so do your research on the simulator link below very carefully.

You're allowed to keep a foreign registered car in Portugal for 180 days maximum before you either matriculate it or remove it back to the country it came from for a further 180 days. The only exception to this rule is for some (but not all) students on some (but not all) study permits

If you have a foreign registered car in Portugal, it must be taxed, tested & insured in it’s country of registration all the time it’s in Portugal & if the GNR catch you with an overstaying vehicle or without tax, test or insurance, they can & often do, permanently confiscate the vehicle which they will then sell or destroy. Note that whilst a foreign registered vehicle can be put through a Portuguese IPO/MOT inspection the pass certificate has no legal standing & is not a replacement for the test certificate from the country of origin.

During the Portuguese matriculation/registration process the vehicle has to be submitted for a one off matriculation inspection which is a greatly enhanced safety inspection which includes a rolling road test & if the vehicle comes from a country that drives on the left the headlight units will need to be changed. Beam deflectors are not acceptable.

Once matriculated the vehicle is subject to the ordinary Portuguese IPO annual inspection.

If importing from the UK you will be expected to provide a ‘Car Importation Certificate’ which is basically an affidavit & you obtain that from the UK High Commission. Details of how to obtain that here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-
portugal or you can contact them through their Facebook group at ‘Brits In Portugal

You can calculate the import tax (if payable) & annual road tax payable here: https://aduaneiro.portaldasfinancas....muladorISV.jspAct here: https://dre.pt/web/guest/pesquisa/-/...ils/normal?l=1

Note: The required ownership period prior to matriculation used to be 12 months but was reduced to 6 months in January 2018.https://www.portaldascomunidades.mne...acao-automovel

Note: A resident of Portugal is NOT legally allowed to drive a foreign registered vehicle that has not begun the matriculation process.

Mariboodebumbum

mfesharne

The criteria changed in the last budget. It used to be you needed to have owned it for 12 months, had 6 months to begin matriculation & could not sell for 5 years unless you repay the tax.

New criteria since the budget is you need to have owned it for 6 months, have 12 months to begin matriculation & cannot sell for 12 months.

Interestingly & confusingly the requirement elsewhere in the legislation that says foreign registered vehicles may only remain here for 6 months before being matriculated or removed back to it's country of registration for a further 6 months has not changed so how that works is anyone's guess! lol

Mariboodebumbum

mfesharne

I'd think the matriculation tax would almost certainly be more than the saving.

Pilotabroad