MandyG

Hi all!

Relatively new to the forum, and already finding so many helpful topics - so thanks all!

Quick question - we have our residency and are about to make the final drive back over to Portugal from the UK. We are planning to take both our cars in the coming months - driving over in August in the first - a 2006, and again later in the year in the second - which is deemed a classic and is a 1984 car, or a 'vehicle of interest' in Portugal.

Before Brexit we were planning on keeping both cars UK registered. However with the introduction of a green card, and the 90 day rule, we realise the only way forward is to matriculate them. We are struggling to find out:

1. the rough costs to matriculate

2. how long, as residents, we can drive the cars legally in Portugal before matriculation

3. whether it's best to do things ourselves or use an agent for the process and what the costs are that go along with that.

We would be grateful for any advice, or help from those who have experienced this or are going through it now! A lot of the stuff we've found online is pre-brexit and a bit outdated, and we just want to make sure we're playing by the rules!!

Thanks in advance for any help you can give! [img]blob:https://britishexpats.com/d79f685d-b739-4cfc-a867-e1ce3e3a1073[/img]

Rambling archer

Nº 3 - A general idea of which area you are moving to would help in advising about Import Agents - though this can be done online it is better to expect to go into the office with paperwork and for face-to-face discussion etc. As I think you are aware, you can each bring one vehicle as part of your "goods and chattels", having owned it previously (with proofs, eg MOT certs from UK or insurance docs?) in your former country of residence. Each vehicle will have to go through an IPO inspection - for instance the Import Agent we dealt with had a fairly local testing agent who he knew, and who was one of the places Certified by the IMT to do the import-inspection (apparently not all IPO centres are allowed to do it!). It really is, IMO, best to do it with an Import Agent so you have some confidence that the right bits are being done in the right places and in sensible order as unless you have previous knowledge it can get into a bit of a minefield. Someone on here did manage to do it direct via a customs office but I know we would not have been confident enough to do it on our own. We found the cost of using an agent, which included the admin charges (not any taxes) of about 600 euros for one vehicle not too expensive for a personal service.

PS you will have seen the other thread about importing "classic car" so follow that for the second car.

RichardHenshall

As Portuguese residents you cannot drive a foreign registered car unless it has already begun the process of matriculation, so strictly speaking you might need a different vehicle or a different driver unless you can begin the process before or at arrival.

MandyG

Thanks for the reply - we'll be based in the Western Algarve not far from Lagos, so if you know of anyone, thank you for all the information!

MandyG

We're planning to start the process on arrival, hence trying to find someone who can help us/we can get in touch with ahead of our arrival in Portugal, so I'm assuming that if we can prove we're starting the process, we should be ok!

Rambling archer

That is a good way to start. Sorry, can't advise for local contacts as we are up in Central PT - ours was in Pombal !

wellinever

How would you get the proof of change of residency if you are in the UK?? I understood it s only available after forking out £100 to UK Gov and a visit to either UK Embassy Lisbon or Portimao.
Yes you can start but its all online.

Rambling archer

Did you see the other Thread - with a recommendation on there - Import car

Rambling archer

OP already has residency so they will have their CRUE Residency A4, and should have applied online for their QR certificate of asking to upgrade to the biometric card, so they should be able to start the process online and by phone if necessary to a suitable import agency who will advise of procedure and schedule of events ... part of the process is to have the vehicle vetted at an approved IPO centre which can only be done here in PT of course, but application process should be able to be started before final travel to PT with the vehicle.

A problem that has not been specified is the timing - as in - did OP get the residencia some time ago, or are they within the time limit for bringing in the vehicle as part of their goods and chattels etc, probably NOT, so they will be liable for full import duty, I think ?

GrahamF

Good point about timing. Cars imported at time of taking up residency pay far less than later. We went to customs with a mate who wanted to Matriculate his 20 year old €1k Merc a year or more after gaining residence, they wanted €8k!

MandyG

Thanks anyway - hopefully someone else will be able to help on here.....fingers crossed!

bons

Has anybody made contact with any agencies who matriculate vehicles. I've written to a few and none have replied.

Bomber Harris

Try ACP.
https://www.acp.pt/veiculos/document...ao-de-veiculos

bons

Thanks. I've contacted them.

riv

DO ACP do the actual nitty gritty work of getting foreign vehicles registered ?

Like the Agências that advertise ?