Cars and Driving
- Tourism: Temporary Admission of Motor Vehicles
- Permanent Importation of Motor Vehicles
- Motor Vehicle Documentation
- IPO (MOT)Testing and Certificates:
- Buying a car in Portugal
- Speed limits
- Tolls
- Parking
- Fuel
- Equipment
- Seatbelt
- Children
- Inexperience drivers
- 112
Tourism: Temporary Admission of Motor Vehicles
As a tourist, you may keep your vehicle in Portugal for a maximum of 180 days in any 12 month period, provided it is for your own private use and you do not loan it to anyone else during that period. Do not depart leaving your vehicle unaccompanied. If you do, you may be subject to a fine. If your stay exceeds 180 days or you intend to take-up residence in Portugal, you must apply for the permanent importation of your vehicle to the nearest office of the Direcção-Geral das Alfândegas (Customs authority) as soon as possible after your arrival.
An EU-registered motor vehicle (including light goods vehicles, trailers, caravans, motor homes and motorcycles) may be kept in Portugal for a continuous period of up to 180 days in any one calendar year, provided the following conditions are met:
- The vehicle is registered in the name of a person who is not resident in Portugal;
- The vehicle is brought into Portugal by its registered owner or keeper;
- The vehicle is for private use only;
- The vehicle is only driven by its registered owners or keepers provided they are neither established, resident nor employed in Portugal, and
- The vehicle's owner or keeper is in possession of the vehicle registration documents for production when necessary to the competent authority.
Permanent Importation of Motor Vehicles
If you are taking up Portuguese residency you may import a motor vehicle tax-free, provided that:
- The vehicle is for private use only;
- The registered owner of the vehicle is transferring his residence from another EU member state where he has been resident for at least 185 days;
- The vehicle was purchased fully tax-paid in its registered owner's former country of residence;
- The vehicle has been used by its registered owner in his former country of residence for at least six months.
Motor Vehicle Importation Procedure:
In order to import a vehicle, you should submit an application within a maximum of 12 months of arrival, to the customs office with jurisdiction over your area of residence:
Leiria, Lisbon, Portalegre and Santarém:
Alfândega de Lisboa,Jardim do Tabaco
Avenida Infante D Henriques
1100-280 Lisboa
Tel.: 21 881 4100
Fax: 21 886 8898
Braga, Bragança, Guarda, Porto, Viana do Castelo and Vila Real:
Alfândega do Freixieiro
Estrada Nacional 107
Perafita
4405 Matosinhos
Tel.: 22 999 9680/9690
Fax: 22 996 0725
Aveiro, Coimbra, Castelo Branco, Guarda and Viseu:
Alfândega de Aveiro
Edifício TIRTIFE, Lugar de Moinhos
3801-301 Aveiro
Tel.: 23 442 3350
Fax: 23 438 1062
he application should be submitted with:
- The vehicle's logbook and its instruction manual or catalogue;
- A certificate of compliance or Form 1402 issued by the Direcção-Geral de Viação (Portuguese DVLA) confirming that the vehicle has undergone an inspection;
- Your passport;
- Your driver's licence;
- Your residence permit or evidence that you have applied for a residence permit or a declaration from your local Parish Council ("Junta de Freguesia") confirming that you are resident within the jurisdiction;
- Your taxpayer's identification card, together with 3-years' original tax returns or a declaration from the tax office in your area of residence attesting to the amount of income earned in Portugal over the previous three years;
- A certificate of cancellation of residence issued by the competent authority in your former country of residence. (If, as in Britain, there is no such authority, the Consulate will issue a certificate on production of your residence permit or evidence that an application has been made for a residence permit, your British passport and evidence that you lived – as a permanent resident – in your former country of residence for at least six months prior to arrival in Portugal.)
The authorities may ask for further documentation, as necessary, so it is advisable to contact them first for an application form, a list of the supporting documents required and the applicable fees.
Once your application has been formally submitted, the customs authorities may issue a limited-validity authorization (“guia de circulação”) which will enable you to use your vehicle while the application is under consideration.
A motor vehicle that has been imported in this way may not be sold, loaned, pledged or hired for a period of 12 months following importation. In addition, it may only be driven by its registered owners or keepers and their immediate family. Only one vehicle may be imported tax-free per person once every five years.
Motor Vehicle Documentation
All vehicles in Portugal are required to have:
- Titulo de Registo de Propriedade (Ownership Registration Document), issued by the Conservatória do Registo Automóvel (Vehicle Registration Office);
- Livrete (Vehicle Registration Document), issued by the Direcção-Geral de Viação (Portuguese Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency);
- Road Tax. This is purchased annually during the month of June from local tax offices and selected newsagents. The cost varies depending on the age and cubic capacity of the vehicle. As in Britain, the tax stamp must be displayed in the upper right hand corner of the vehicle's windscreen.
- Insurance. All vehicles must have at least third party insurance cover. The insurance company will provide an insurance stamp for display in the lower right-hand corner of the vehicle's windscreen, at the time the policy is issued.
These documents, as well as the driver's ID and licence, should be carried at all times for production to the authorities on request.
IPO (MOT) Testing and Certificates
IPO (Inspecção Periódica Obrigatória) testing is compulsory in Portugal for all vehicles over four years old. Cars aged 4-7 years must be tested every two years and thereafter every year. The test must be carried out at an approved garage. The garage is required to request the vehicle's ownership document (Titulo de Registo de Propriedade), its logbook (Livrete) and the owner's taxpayer's identification card before carrying out the test.
What is inspected?
The tests carried out during the inspection assess the security of the vehicle to ensure that it is in a good enough condition to circulate on the public highway. The inspection starts by confirming the vehicle identity (model, registration number, motor and chassis numbers, and tyro sizes). There is then a series of tests that include:
- level of noise, exhaust emissions, and oil leakage;
- lights (intensity and orientation);
- body work and interior (corrosion and other damage);
- visibility (mirrors and wipers);
- equipment (seat belts, warning triangle, horn, speedometer);
- brakes and braking power;
- steering and alignment;
- excessive play in the suspension, steering and axles;
- wheels and tyros.
Where to carry out the test
Officially approved independent testing centers carry out the roadworthiness inspections. You can use any test center. They are indicated by road signs marked "Centro de Inspecções Obrigatórias - IPO" and are listed in the yellow pages under "Automóveis - Inspecção" and on the DGV website. Tests usually need to be booked in advance, but some centers will accept casual callers.
Preparing for the inspection
The test center will need to see the vehicle registration document (livrete) and the vehicle ownership document (título de registo de propriedade), and will need your tax registration number (número de contribuinte). The charge is about €25. If the vehicle is in good condition, the only preparation needed may be a good clean to make the inspection easier to do and to allow the inspectors to confirm the identification numbers easily. Older vehicles may need more preparation. Many garages will prepare vehicles for the inspection and even deliver and collect them from the test center. This can be a convenient time for the annual service.
Results of the inspection
- Vehicles with only minor deficiencies (maximum of 7) that need repairs before the next inspection date will be issued with a certificate but if stopped by the authorities can be fined.
- If the car fails the test the owner will be issued with a red provisional certificate. There are two degrees of deficiencies 1) 2nd degree (a maximum of 30 days is given to complete all necessary repairs, 2) 3rd degree (these vehicles can not be driven from the inspection center, they must be towed to a garage until repairs have been completed). Should a further test be required this must be undertaken and the test date will be indicated on the certificate issued.
- A stamp confirming that the vehicle has undergone (and passed) the test should be displayed below the insurance stamp, in the lower right-hand corner of the vehicle's windscreen.
Buying a car in Portugal
Purchasing a car in Portugal is generally a lot easier process than importing, and dealers are more likely to have parts in stock for models they frequently sell than for models imported from other countries.
New car from a dealer
A dealer with a new vehicle in stock should be able to put you on the road within 1-2 days. They should provide the necessary documentation (temporary documents substituting the livrete and título de registo de propriedade), their sales receipt, and the manufacturer's guarantee. You will also need compulsory motor insurance. The dealer will normally arrange for issue of the official documents (livrete and título de registo de propriedade), which should be sent to you within the validity of your temporary documents.
Second hand vehicles and documentation
The minimum documentation required for sale of a used vehicle is the livrete, título de registo de propriedade, and a completed form for registration of the change of ownership (Requerimento - declaração para registo de propriedade / contrato verbal de compra e venda, modelo 2). The local civil registry (Conservatória do Registo Civil) provides this form. Other documents worth consulting are the road worthiness inspection certificate (IPO), and the service record (Livro de Revisões). A formal receipt of sale, giving the details of the car, the seller and the buyer with annexed photocopies of the livrete and título de registo de propriedade, is also advisable, as is a written sales contract to clarify the terms of sale. Your lawyer could draw up a simple contract for you.
The form to register change of ownership (contrato verbal de compra e venda, literally verbal contract for sale and purchase) needs to be completed and signed by both the buyer and the seller. It identifies the vehicle, the previous owner, the new owner, and whether there are any reservations on the transfer of ownership (outstanding payments or partial ownership). The signatures do not need to be notarised if both buyer's and seller's identification are shown when the form is deposited at the civil registry, this should be a Passport or Identity Card. Normally payment of the registration fees may be by cheque.
Legally the new purchaser is responsible for registration of the change of ownership within 30 days of the sale. However, if this is not done the seller remains the registered owner and may be liable for accident damage or traffic fines incurred by the new owner. It is therefore advisable for both the seller and buyer to register the change of ownership at the time of sale. This can be done at the same time as exchange of payment for the keys and documentation. The buyer will need his or her own vehicle insurance before driving. When you purchase a new car against the trade-in of a used vehicle, the dealer will ask you to sign the change of ownership registration form and to hand over the traded-in vehicle documents and keys. Ideally, the dealer should sign and register the form as purchaser. However, they may ask you to sign the form with the purchaser's name left open, for completion when they find a final buyer.
Speed Limits
Contrary to urban myths there are speed limits in portugal
Motorways 120kph/74mph
Open roads 90kph/55mph
Urban areas 50kph/31mph
Cars towing are restricted to 70kph (43mph) on open roads and 100kph (62mph) on Motorways. Drivers who have held a licence for less than one year must not exceed 90kph (55mph). There is also a minimum speed of 40kph (24mph) enforced on motorways.
You should also be aware that the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon, has a speed limit of 30-50kph (18-31mph)
Tolls
There are toll roads in Portugal, and the word for toll is portagem.
At road tolls you may notice green lanes, these are for drivers who have subscribed to an automated paying system, and you must not use them unless you have. Make sure you have currency to hand to pay for tolls, because if you are unable to, you will be fined. Visitors to Portugal are required to pay traffic fines on the spot, and they can be expensive.
The toll payable on the 25 de Abril Bridge (linking Lisbon with the south bank of the Tagus River at the end of the Vila Franca de Xira motorway) is payable by southbound traffic only. Rather than using the bridge you can use the car ferry, which has more favourable access from the centre of the city than the access road to the bridge. Services run (approximately) as follows:
* Before 10am: Every ten minutes.
* Between 10am and 5pm: Every twenty minutes.
* Between 5pm and 9.50pm: Every ten minutes.
Check locally for alterations to this service.
Toll roads in Portugal:
* A1 Lisboa to Santarem
* A1 Santarem to Fatima
* A1 Fatima to Coimbra
* A1 Coimbra to Aveiro
* A1 Aveiro to Porto
* A2 Lisboa to Marateca
* A3 Porto to Braga
* A4 Porto to Amarante
* A5 Lisboa to Cascais
* A6 Marateca to Montemor-o-Novo
* A8 Lisboa to Torres Vedras
In Portugal you drive on the right and overtake on the left. You must also give way to trams both when they overtake you and as they approach you from the right. Portuguese roads can be three lanes wide, but beware - the middle lane is used for overtaking from either direction.
Parking
Parking, translated into Portuguese, is estacionamenfo. When parking, your car must be facing the same direction as the traffic, the exception being if a road only allows parking on one side of it. If you park illegally the car can be immobilised. Do not park in close range of a bus or tram stop or of a road junction (18 metres distance is required from a road junction).Fuel
Petrol/Fuel Stations are generally open from 7am until 10pm or midnight, although some are 24hours. You can pay with any major credit card, but be aware that this will incur a surcharge. The fuel octane rating is 98 for leaded petrol and 95 or 98 for Super Unleaded.Fuel types translated:
* Unleaded Petrol - Gasolina sin plomo or Gasolina sem chumbo
* Diesel - Gasóleo or Diesel
* LPG - Gáz Líquido
In Portugal it is illegal to carry spare fuel.
Essential equipment
The vehicle must have a red warning triangle in case of emergency, which is placed at the rear of the car in the event of an accident or if you breakdown.Seatbelts
All occupants of a vehicle are required to wear seatbelts whilst travelling, both in the front and the rear of the vehicle.Children
In Portugal it is required that children under 12 years do not travel in the front seat of a vehicle.Inexperienced drivers
If you passed your driving test less than 12 months ago there are restrictions to the speeds you are allowed to drive at. You must apply to the ACP (Automovel Club de Portugal), the Portuguese motor club, for a yellow disc that denotes this, and it must be displayed at all times in your vehicle. The disc has number 90 on it, which refers to the restriction of 90 kph (56mph) - the speed you must keep to at all times.Emergency Telephone Number
As with most of Europe you can use 112 to get through to emergency services. This number is multilingual.