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If you are planning to move to Portugal, you may be envisioning yourself driving, sunglasses on salty air in your hair as you cruise down the marginal (road bordering the ocean).  Trust me, this fantasy can soon become your reality!  We love our cruises down the margin at least weekly as we go to take our kids out of school for lunch.  

However, this cruising clearly requires a car.  While Ubers are plentiful and cheap in the Lisbon area (and likely in Porto as well), you eventually will want to get your own form of transportation.  Note that, of course, this is not a requirement in Portugal.  Many locals don’t own a car. If they do own a car, it is equally likely that only one spouse/partner drives.  Plenty of folks here don’t drive or own a car.  

Americans tend to be used to having a car at their disposal and we were no exception. After doing some long-term leases in Europe and having a rental car upon moving to Portugal for about two months, we were ready to get our own vehicle.  You can read about our experience of buying cars in Portugal here (Yep, we have two! Double the trouble).

Moving to Portugal and owning a car comes with the responsibility of understanding vehicle maintenance and registration requirements.  This can be confusing even in your own home country.  Moving to a new continent and country?  I felt very lost about what to do.  Frankly, even after three plus years here, I still feel lost about it!

The laws of Portugal aren’t always as concrete as you might think.  Something can be written as a law but depends a lot on who you are dealing with at the moment.  Case in point: converting you drivers licenses as an expat.  You can read about the run-around that is!

 As expats living in Portugal, we quickly learned that while driving here is enjoyable, keeping a car properly registered and maintained requires some effort.  If you’re planning to own a car in Portugal, here’s what you need to know about renewing registration, handling repairs and keeping your vehicle roadworthy.

Car Registration in Portugal

Every car in Portugal must be registered, whether it’s locally purchased or imported. Importing a car is ridiculously expensive and I don’t recommend it.  Portugal can charge upwards of 40 percent of the purchase price of the car in import fees and taxes.  Likely you are going to be buying a car in Portugal and someone will have already registered the vehicle with the government.  A dealership with a new car will also handle all of this for you.  

Registration ensures your car is legally allowed on the road and is tied to taxes and inspections.  Since Portugal is fairly small, every government platform is connected, from your taxes to your car registration.  Your car registration is handled in a similar way.  You can pay for your renewal on your registration online.

Note: Unlike in the USA, license plates are tied to the car itself in Portugal (perhaps all of the EU).  The licence plate is with that car forever, even if you sell it.  Also, there are no stickers to show the car registration is up to date.  This is all done electronically.

How Often Do You Need to Renew Your Registration in Portugal?

• In Portugal, car registration does not need to be renewed annually like in some countries.
• Instead, vehicles must undergo an Inspeção Periódica Obrigatória (IPO), which is the mandatory periodic inspection to verify roadworthiness.
• The first IPO is required four years after the car’s initial registration.
• After that, inspections are required every two years until the car is eight years old.
• Cars older than eight years must undergo an IPO every year.
  
  

The IPO ensures that vehicles meet safety and emissions standards. This is similar to the US Emission and Inspection.  If your car fails, you’ll need to complete the necessary repairs and return for a re-inspection.

If you are pulled over by the police or GNR (Guarda Nacional Republica), both of which can handle traffic violations, and your car is not up-to-date on registration, you’ll be fined.  We found this out the hard way!  €250 later.  Ouch.  Also note that this ticket can be, and often is, paid in person.

Where to Get Your Car Inspected in Portugal?

• There are authorized inspection centers (Centro de Inspeções) across Portugal.
  • We took ours to Mforce, which is located in our closest shopping center.  One of my favorite things about Portugal?  Car washes and car shops can be right in the parking garage of the shopping center.
• Booking an appointment in advance is recommended, and fees range between €30-€50 depending on the type of vehicle.

Taxes & Fees for Car Registration in Portugal

• An annual Imposto Único de Circulação (IUC), or vehicle circulation tax, is due every year.
  • This is completed by logging into the national Finanças (tax authority) website.  For this, you’ll need your NIF.  Portugal goes through extensive login procedures, so make sure you have a Portuguese cell phone number as well before you attempt this.
  • I think our car registration last year was around €75.  I was able to pay it online.
• The amount depends on the car’s CO2 emissions, engine size and registration year.
• Failing to pay the IUC on time can result in penalties or issues when selling the car.  It’s not easy to remember when to do this, so set a reminder.

If you’re bringing a foreign car, be aware that import taxes can be high, and the process of legalizing an imported vehicle is complex.  Many expats find buying a car locally easier and the only real option.

We thought of importing our Mercedes Sprinter Van for about five minutes, until we realized how complicated it is to import to Portugal.  Plus, many US vehicles won’t even fit in Portugal in the car parking garages or even on the road. 

Car Maintenance in Portugal

Car maintenance in Portugal is generally affordable, but understanding where and how to get your car serviced can make a big difference in cost and convenience.  To be fair, we’ve had little maintenance so far with our cars, but we are facing a much larger project currently as I got in a car accident recently.  I also side-swiped our new van into a parking pole.  Ugh.  Apparently I had a bad month!

So far, we’ve replaced our tires, replaced our windshield and replaced our brakes.  We did the tires and brakes at the same time, which came out to be about €1000.  

Our new windshield was pretty expensive as our BMW has electric parts in our windshield.  This came to about €800.  I imagine windshield protection is a thing with car insurance, but we usually prefer to pay outside of insurance for anything less than a couple thousand euros.

Where to Get Your Car Repaired in Portugal?

If you need something a little heavier than regular maintenance items, you might want to consider these:

• Authorized Dealerships – Best for newer cars still under warranty, though prices can be higher.  We’ve taken our BMW into the dealership for regular maintenance as well as a new bumper (our driveway has a nasty lip that keeps catching the bumper.   It’s already chopped up again but we are going to leave it for now!
  • For reference our new bumper was around €2500.
• Independent Garages (Oficinas) – Often more affordable than dealerships and still offer quality repairs.
  • We have our car in an auto shop now.  
• Fast Service Centers – Chains like Norauto and Midas are good for quick maintenance, like oil changes and brake checks.
• Local Mechanics – Many expats swear by smaller, family-run garages that provide personalized service at lower costs.  Like much of Portugal, it is all about who you know.  Once you make some Portuguese friends, ask them for recommendations.  

Common Repairs & Costs in Portugal

While costs vary, here are some rough estimates for common repairs in Portugal:

• Oil change: €50-€100
• Brake pad replacement: €80-€200
• Tire replacement: €60-€150 per tire
• Battery replacement: €80-€200
• Timing belt replacement: €300-€700

Many garages will provide a preventive maintenance package, which includes oil changes, fluid checks and tire rotation for a set price.

Buying Car Parts in Portugal

If you drive a European-brand car, parts are relatively easy to find.  We own a BMW and Mercedes currently.  However, for American or non-European cars, sourcing spare parts can take longer and be more expensive.

I rarely see non-European brand names in Portugal.  However, you can find them if you try hard.  I recommend going with brands that are more common to avoid extra costs.

Common brands in Portugal include:

• Renault
• VW
• Mercedes
• BMW
• Toyota
• Peugeot
• Dacia
• Citroën
• Nissan

If you are having trouble getting parts, consider these:

• Auto Parts Stores – Large retailers like Norauto, Feu Vert and local auto shops carry common car parts.
• Online Retailers – Ordering parts from sites like AutoDoc or eBay can sometimes be cheaper, but may take longer for delivery.
• Scrapyards (Sucatas) – For older vehicles, visiting a scrapyard can be an affordable way to find replacement parts.

Emergency Repairs & Roadside Assistance in Portugal

If your car breaks down, roadside assistance is widely available in Portugal.

• Portugal’s emergency roadside service number is 112 (for urgent situations).  This is Portugal’s version of 911.
• Assistance via insurance companies – Many policies include towing and breakdown assistance.  We use Tranquilidade, which we were connected to by an agent.  We got the recommendation from the agent from the used car lot where we purchased the car.
• Automobile Club of Portugal (ACP) – A membership with ACP provides breakdown services and legal assistance for drivers.

Recommended Seasonal Car Maintenance Tips for Portugal

Portugal has a mild climate, but seasonal maintenance is still important.  We just drove our car to Andorra for skiing, so we got some all-weather tires.  The shop recommended we change these back to some regular tires in March as they are less expensive than the all weather tires.

• Summer: Check coolant levels and tire pressure before long road trips.
• Winter: Rain can make roads slippery, so ensure your tires have good tread.
• Coastal areas: If you live near the ocean, regular car washes help prevent rust from salt exposure.

Do You Need to Speak Portuguese for Car Repairs?

Short answer: yes, it is really helpful.  I learned Portuguese in advance lessons in Lisbon and it helps immensely in dealing with day-to-day issues in Portugal.  However, if you are new to Portugal or not confident enough, do some homework and call in advance.  If you start speaking in English, you’ll find out right away if they will be able to help you!

The alternative is to bring along a Portuguese friend!  So many Portuguese speak English and most of them are super kind and willing to help.  I’ve taken friends to school meetings before and on shopping trips before I was ready to handle it on my own.  

Car problems suck, no matter the country you are in!  However, you can handle this.  With a little homework and a friend or two, you can navigate whatever life throws at you.  

Additional Readings

Renting, Buying, or Shipping a Car in Portugal

What Does it Cost to Live in Portugal? A 2025 Family Guide

Do You Need to Convert Your US Driver License to a Portuguese Driver License?