Car legalisation
Bought a car abroad? We handle the legalisation.
With complete documents in order, your car is legalised in 48 hours. Buying and transporting it is up to you — or whoever you choose.
01
Who it is for
- You bought a car in another country, inside or outside the EU, and want to register it in Portugal.
- You haven't bought yet and want to know which documents to ask the seller for and which costs to expect.
- You have a stalled or incomplete legalisation process and need to finish it.
- You need to change the vehicle's tax category.
Besides cars, we handle other vehicles, such as motorcycles and trailers. Ask us about yours.
02
What it involves
We do the paperwork and explain every step to you.
We analyse your vehicle's technical and tax situation.
We tell you which documents are needed and give you a quote.
We prepare, submit and follow the procedures included in the service.
We hand you the final documents, with the registrations in order.
03
The usual steps
For a used car with a Certificate of Conformity (COC), IMT describes this sequence. In other cases — without a COC, other types of vehicle — there are differences.
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IMT
Type approval
Request for the national type-approval number. Without a COC, the manufacturer or its representative confirms the type approval; in other cases, an individual approval is needed.
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Inspection centre
Inspection
Inspection for registration at a category B inspection centre, which issues the certificate (form 112).
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Tax and Customs Authority (AT)
Customs and tax
Clearing the vehicle with customs, with the vehicle customs declaration (DAV) and payment of ISV, where applicable.
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IMT
Plates
Submitting the file to IMT to complete it and assign the Portuguese registration.
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Registry Office (Conservatória)
Registration of ownership
Registration of ownership. The registration certificate is issued once the registration is in order.
For information only. The exact sequence and documents depend on the vehicle, its origin and the documents available — we confirm them for your case. Source: IMT — Registration of used vehicles (in Portuguese) (accessed on 23/10/2026).
04
What helps to get started
The process usually asks for documents like these. You don't need to send them in the first contact.
- Registration document from the country of origin.
- Purchase invoice or bill of sale.
- Certificate of Conformity (COC), if you have it.
- Your ID and Portuguese tax number (NIF).
Missing a document? Get in touch anyway. We'll tell you what's missing and how to get it.
Responsibilities
Who does what
No surprises: what is on your side, on ours and on the official authorities’ side.
On your side
- Buying the vehicle and paying the seller.
- Bringing the vehicle to Portugal, yourself or through a transport company of your choice.
- Gathering the documents the seller gave you and sending us what we ask for.
- Paying the taxes and official fees that apply to your case.
On Pormenor's side
- Analysing your case and telling you which documents are needed.
- Giving you a quote for our services and the other expected expenses.
- Preparing and following the procedures included in the service.
- Being directly available for your questions throughout the process.
On the authorities’ side
- IMT — type approval and registration plates.
- Inspection centres — inspection for registration.
- Tax and Customs Authority (AT) — vehicle declaration and tax.
- Registry Office (Conservatória) — registration of ownership.
Pormenor doesn't buy, sell, source or transport vehicles, and is not an official authority.
Costs
What goes into the quote
A tax estimate helps you decide, but it isn't the full quote.
Tax
Mainly ISV, paid once when the vehicle is legalised. It is assessed by the Tax and Customs Authority (AT).
You can estimate it in the calculator.
Fees and expenses
Inspection, type approval, plates and registration. They vary with the vehicle and the process.
We list them in the quote.
Pormenor's fees
Our work preparing and following the process.
Quote after looking at your case.
Next steps
How to go ahead
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Tell us what you have
Through the form, by WhatsApp or at the office. You can answer «I'm not sure».
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Get the plan and the quote
We list the documents, the steps and the expected expenses.
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You decide, we go ahead
With your agreement, we handle the procedures included in the service.
Does Pormenor import or sell cars?
No. Pormenor handles car legalisation and documents. Finding, buying, paying for and transporting the vehicle is up to you, or to whoever you choose.
If you are still deciding, we can help you understand which documents to ask the seller for and which legalisation costs to expect.
When should I contact you?
The sooner, the better. If you talk to us before buying, you can make sure the seller gives you the documents you need. If the car is already in Portugal, get in touch as soon as possible: some procedures have legal deadlines.
What information helps in the first contact?
Make and model, country of origin, date of first registration and where you are in the process (not bought yet, already bought, the car has arrived). If you have them, tell us which documents you received: foreign registration document, invoice or bill of sale, and COC.
You don't need everything to talk to us. If you don't know something, choose «I'm not sure».
How are the costs worked out?
There are three different parts: the tax (for example, ISV), assessed by the Tax and Customs Authority (AT); the fees and expenses of the procedures, such as inspection, registration and plates; and Pormenor's fees.
Once we have looked at your case, we give you a quote for our services and tell you what other expenses to expect. The calculators estimate the tax, not the full quote.
How long does it take?
With complete documents in order, your car is legalised in 48 hours. If something is missing, it depends on what is missing and on the authorities involved — the COC, for example, is requested from the manufacturer. We tell you the timeline once we have looked at your case.
What if a document is missing?
Tell us what you have. Some documents can be requested later — the COC, for example, is issued by the manufacturer or its representative. In other cases the solution is different. We look into it and explain the options before going ahead.
Does Pormenor guarantee approval?
Approvals and the issuing of documents are up to the competent authorities, such as IMT, the Tax and Customs Authority (AT), inspection centres and the Registry Office. Our job is to prepare and follow the procedures included in the service, so the process moves forward with the documents in order.
What is the COC and where do I find it?
The Certificate of Conformity (COC) is issued by the manufacturer and confirms that the vehicle matches a model type-approved in the European Union. It often comes with the car's documents. If it didn't, it can be requested from the manufacturer or the brand's representative.
Quote request
Get a quote for your case.
Answer what you know. We'll reply with the next steps and the quote.