Importing a car into Portugal: Part 3

So…all ready to continue with taking that car with you to Portugal? As I write this I am wondering what the percentage of guys to gals would be that love their car so much that it just HAS to come too…

Please don’t think this is a patronising statement – I love far stranger things – like my African masks for just one example! Okay, on with the more serious business of getting your car permanently registered in Portugal.

Before you can do this you need to apply for a Residency Card (Cartão de Residência) from the Portuguese immigration authorities, SEF or Serviços de Estrangeiros e Fronteira.

As promised, here is a list of the documentation you will need to register your car. All vehicles in Portugal are required to have:

A Registration Certificate – the Certificado de Matrícula. This is issued by the Instituto de Mobilidade e dos Transportes Terrestres. The Certificado de Matrícula came into effect on 31 October 2005. For the time being, it is not compulsory to exchange existing vehicle documentation (Livrete and Título de Registo de Propriedade) as this remains valid.

OR (for vehicles registered before 31 October 2005)

An Ownership Registration Document – the Titulo de Registo de Propriedade. This is issued by the Conservatória do Registo Automóvel – the Vehicle Registration Office

AND

A Vehicle Registration Document – the Livrete. This is issued by the Instituto de Mobilidade e dos Transportes Terrestres.

To clarify, if your car was registered before 2005 you need an Ownership Registration Document (Titulo de Registo de Propriedad) plus a Vehicle Registration Document (Livrete) If registered after that date then you just need the Registration Certificate.

An imported car or bike must conform to the Portuguese road standards under what is termed "homologation" (Homologacão) before it can be registered. The complexity of the process can vary according to age, make and origin of the vehicle.

The process is different for classic and collectable vehicles. It is also different and more complicated for modified vehicles which must be examined at an authorised inspection centre to ensure the work was carried out correctly and adheres to EU safety standards.

Information is available from the directorate general for traffic, the IMTT or Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes Terrestres I.P.

All clear? Whew…

More next time. I am breaking all this into bite-sized chunks so as not to completely blow your mind!

Next week then…have lots of fun and keep planning!

Carol
http://www.PortugalBuyingGuide.com