Question 1

How is a used car transferred to a new owner in Portugal?

Accepted Answer

The change of ownership is registered at the Registo Automóvel, online or at a registry office, on a request signed by buyer and seller. Until it is registered, the seller remains the owner on record and is liable for the IUC.

Question 2

Who pays the IUC, and when?

Accepted Answer

The IUC is due every year from whoever is the registered owner, in the month the car was first registered. Cars registered from July 2007 pay according to engine size and CO2 emissions; fully electric cars are exempt.

Question 3

How often does a car need an IPO inspection?

Accepted Answer

A passenger car has its first IPO four years after first registration, then every two years until it is eight, and every year after that. Check the date of the last inspection before buying, since a car with an expired IPO cannot legally be driven.

Question 4

Is there tax on a car imported from another EU country?

Accepted Answer

Yes: a used car brought into Portugal pays ISV before it gets Portuguese plates, calculated on engine size and CO2 emissions with a reduction for the car's age. Fully electric cars are exempt from ISV.

Question 5

Is it safer to buy from a dealer or a private seller?

Accepted Answer

A dealer must give a legal guarantee on a used car and usually handles the registration. A private sale carries no such guarantee, so ask for an online Registo Automóvel certificate confirming the seller is the owner and that no reserva de propriedade or seizure is recorded.

Used cars in Portugal

BMW 530e BMW 530e iPerformance Berline

Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Titanium de 2016

Mercedes Benz EQS 450 +

SEAT Cordoba 1.4 SXE

Porsche 928

Saab 9000

Citroën Saxo 1.5 D SX

Opel Corsa 1.0

Jaguar XK150

Aston Martin DBX 4.0 Twin-Turbo V8