Common questions
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about imported car legalization, ISV, IUC and the Certificate of Conformity.
Updated on .Source:Portuguese Vehicle Tax Code (CISV), Law 22-A/2007 (consolidated text from the Tax Authority, in Portuguese); Portuguese Road Tax Code (CIUC), Law 22-A/2007 (Portal das Finanças, in Portuguese); Applying for license plates for an imported vehicle (gov.pt / IMT, in Portuguese).
Imported car legalization
- How much does it cost to legalize an imported car in Portugal?
- ComfyLand's legalization service costs €159.90, VAT included, and covers handling all the paperwork with the IMT and the Tax Authority, booking the required appointments and following the case until you get Portuguese plates. On top of that come the IMT fee (€45 with national type approval, €165 without it), ownership registration at the Vehicle Registry Office (€65, optional) and license plates (€12.50 each, optional). The ISV is paid separately, because it depends on the vehicle. Request legalization →
- Is the ISV included in the legalization price?
- No. The ISV (Portuguese vehicle tax) is assessed separately, because it depends on the engine size, CO₂ emissions, fuel and age of the vehicle. You can estimate it with the ISV calculator on our website before going ahead with the process. Estimate the ISV →
- How long does it take to legalize an imported car?
- The Vehicle Customs Declaration (DAV) is issued within one to two days of receiving your documents. The whole process, until it is completed at the IMT, takes about three weeks. Check the case status →
- What documents do I need to legalize my car?
- You always need the complete registration certificate from the country of origin, the owner's ID document, the transport document (CMR) or valid insurance, and proof of payment for the transport. Depending on the case, you also add the Certificate of Conformity (COC), IMT Form 9 (Modelo 9), the inspection for license plate assignment, the bill of sale and the Single Vehicle Document (DUA). You can attach everything in the form on our website, and the team will let you know if anything is missing. See the documents and request legalization →
- Do you legalize vehicles coming from outside the European Union?
- Yes. The difference lies in the tax reduction for years of use: for used vehicles coming from the European Union or the European Economic Area, the reduction applies to the engine-size component and also to the environmental component; for vehicles from outside, it applies only to the engine-size component.
- How do I track my legalization case?
- On the Case status page of our website you can see which stage your legalization is at. Individuals enter their first name, last name and the vehicle's VIN; companies enter their company name and the VIN. On that page you can also send any documents the team has asked for. Check the case status →
- Do I need to go to the IMT or the Tax Office?
- No. ComfyLand handles the paperwork with the IMT and the Tax Authority and books the required appointments. All you need to do is send the vehicle and owner documents and be available for the inspection once it is scheduled.
ISV — Portuguese vehicle tax
- What is the ISV and who has to pay it?
- The ISV (Imposto Sobre Veículos, the Portuguese vehicle tax) is a one-off tax paid when a vehicle gets Portuguese license plates. It is due from whoever brings the vehicle into use in Portugal, including anyone importing a used car from another European Union country. Estimate the ISV →
- How is the ISV on an imported car calculated?
- For passenger cars, the ISV is the sum of two components: the engine-size component, based on the engine's cm³, and the environmental component, based on CO₂ emissions. Each is calculated in brackets, by applying the rate and subtracting the bracket deduction. Diesel vehicles with particulate emissions of 0.001 g/km or more pay an extra €500. For used vehicles, a reduction based on years of use is then applied. See the tables in the ISV calculator →
- Do used cars pay less ISV?
- Yes. The reduction for years of use ranges from 10% for a vehicle up to one year old to 80% for a vehicle more than ten years old. The reduction always applies to the engine-size component and, for vehicles from the European Union or the European Economic Area, to the environmental component as well. Estimate your car's ISV →
- Do electric and hybrid cars pay ISV?
- Fully electric vehicles are exempt from ISV. Plug-in hybrids pay 25% of both components — a 75% reduction — as long as they have at least 50 km of electric range and emissions of up to 50 g/km of CO₂. Self-charging hybrids pay 60% of the tax.
- What is the difference between the WLTP and NEDC tables?
- They are two test cycles for measuring CO₂ emissions. As a rule, WLTP applies to vehicles type-approved from 2018 onward and NEDC to earlier ones. Each has its own bracket table, which is why the calculator asks for the test standard: using the wrong table gives a tax amount that differs from the real one. The standard is on the COC — order the COC →
- Is the ISV calculator amount the final amount?
- It is an estimate, calculated with the current tables and the details you enter. The final amount is set by the Tax Authority based on the vehicle's documents. When we handle the legalization, ComfyLand confirms the amount before going ahead. Request legalization →
IUC — Annual road tax
- What is the IUC and when is it paid?
- The IUC (Imposto Único de Circulação) is the annual road tax. It is paid every year, during the month in which the vehicle was registered, by whoever is listed as the owner in the vehicle register. It is paid on the Portal das Finanças (the Tax Authority's website). Calculate the IUC →
- How is the IUC calculated?
- It depends on the date of first registration. Vehicles registered up to 1980 are exempt. Those registered between 1981 and June 2007 pay according to engine size and registration period. Those registered from July 2007 onward pay the sum of an engine-size component and a CO₂ component, multiplied by a coefficient that depends on the year of registration, with surcharges for diesel and for higher emissions. See the tables in the IUC calculator →
- Do electric and hybrid cars pay IUC?
- Fully electric vehicles are exempt from IUC. Hybrids get no IUC discount: the tax is calculated as for a gasoline or diesel vehicle, according to the fuel of the combustion engine.
- Does an imported car's IUC change after legalization?
- The IUC is then calculated from the Portuguese registration details: engine size, CO₂ emissions, fuel and the vehicle's date of first registration — the original one, not the date of the Portuguese registration. Legalize your car →
COC — Certificate of Conformity
- What is the COC (Certificate of Conformity)?
- The COC is the European Certificate of Conformity issued by the vehicle manufacturer. It contains the type-approved technical specifications, such as CO₂ emissions, engine size, weight and dimensions, and proves that the vehicle matches a model approved in the European Union.
- What is the COC used for when legalizing an imported car?
- It is the document that brings together the vehicle's type-approved specifications, and it is used for type approval in Portugal. It is also the basis for calculating the ISV, as it states the vehicle's CO₂ emissions and engine size. Request legalization →
- How can I order the COC for my vehicle?
- You can order it through the COC page on our website. The order is handled by COC Online, a partner specializing in issuing this document, and all you need is the vehicle's chassis number (VIN). The document covers European makes. Order the COC →
- I already have the COC. Can I use it for the legalization?
- Yes. The legalization request form has a field where you can attach a Certificate of Conformity you already have. The ComfyLand team checks that the document is complete and suitable for the process. Request legalization →
Didn't find your question?
Talk to us: we answer every question about your vehicle's process. You can also request legalization or check the status of your case.