Vehicles
The Government Traffic Department IMTT deals with all aspects of car ownership registration and licensing and the Institute of Registration and Notaries IRN provides facilities where vehicles can be registered and taxed.
Buying a new car
Dealerships selling new cars take care of the registration of the vehicle on behalf of the buyer. Dealerships also often offer insurance deals (it is a legal requirement for all vehicles to have at least third party car insurance).
Buying a Second-Hand Car
It is the seller's responsibility to register the change of ownership using the form Transferência de Propriedade or Contrato verbal de compra e venda. This Form 2 (Modelo 2), available from the IRN, contains information about the vehicle, the previous owner and the new owner. At the point of sale it should be completed and signed by both the buyer and the seller. This transaction must be completed within 60 days of the change of ownership.
Most dealerships will also sell Used Cars.
There are multiple sources of car sales advertising from FaceBook Marketplace, to local newspapers, automobile magazines and online sites
The Government Traffic Department IMTT deals with all aspects of car ownership registration and licensing and the Institute of Registration and Notaries IRN provides facilities where vehicles can be registered and taxed.
Buying a new car
Dealerships selling new cars take care of the registration of the vehicle on behalf of the buyer. Dealerships also often offer insurance deals (it is a legal requirement for all vehicles to have at least third party car insurance).
Buying a Second-Hand Car
It is the seller's responsibility to register the change of ownership using the form Transferência de Propriedade or Contrato verbal de compra e venda. This Form 2 (Modelo 2), available from the IRN, contains information about the vehicle, the previous owner and the new owner. At the point of sale it should be completed and signed by both the buyer and the seller. This transaction must be completed within 60 days of the change of ownership.
Most dealerships will also sell Used Cars.
There are multiple sources of car sales advertising from FaceBook Marketplace, to local newspapers, automobile magazines and online sites
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At the point of sale the Seller should provide:
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Registering the new Owner:
A foreign buyer will need to produce the following documents when registering the vehicle at the IRN office.
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If, following the process above, the buyer does not submit the change of ownership documents to the IRN vehicle registration department, responsibility for all fines or accidents involving the vehicle remain the responsibility of the seller. Make a point to confirm that the buyer has completed the transfer process.
Roadworthiness Testing
The IPO is the roadworthiness test of a motor vehicle in Portugal. IPO tests are compulsory and may only be undertaken by a test centre authorised by the (IMTT).
New cars do not need to be tested until they reach four years old.
All cars and motorbikes over 250cc more than four years old must be inspected and tested at an approved garage test centre every two years until the age of seven.
From the eighth year onwards, the vehicle must be tested annually. There are no exemptions for classic cars. A vehicle may be tested 3 months prior to the due date.
The Test Centre will require:
The IPO is the roadworthiness test of a motor vehicle in Portugal. IPO tests are compulsory and may only be undertaken by a test centre authorised by the (IMTT).
New cars do not need to be tested until they reach four years old.
All cars and motorbikes over 250cc more than four years old must be inspected and tested at an approved garage test centre every two years until the age of seven.
From the eighth year onwards, the vehicle must be tested annually. There are no exemptions for classic cars. A vehicle may be tested 3 months prior to the due date.
The Test Centre will require:
- Vehicle ownership document (Titulo de Registo de Propriedade) and Vehicle logbook (Livrete) or
- DUA (Documento único Automóvel) - the new combined registration, licence plate and log book card
- Owner's taxpayer's contribution card or number
- The previous inspection certificate
- A yellow, orange or red reflective danger jacket
- One red reflective warning triangle
- Spare wheel and the tools necessary to change it