Exporting a Car from Portugal 2026: IMT Plate Cancellation, Export Authorisation and Customs
Quick answer: Exporting a car from Portugal requires plate cancellation for export at IMT, an export authorisation or temporary plate for transit, and customs procedures for third countries (UK after Brexit, Switzerland, USA). Within the EU/EEA there are no duties, but local re-registration must occur within 30-90 days.
Key takeaways
- IMT cancellation for export.
- Temporary plate for transit.
- EU/EEA: no duties.
- UK Brexit: ~10% duty + 20% VAT.
- Re-register within 30-90 days.
What changes in 2026: digital export authorisation via IMT and SIVPM
The Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) has fully digitised the export-authorisation flow in 2026. The cancellation of the matrícula (cancelamento de matrícula) and the issue of the certificado de exportação are processed on the IMT online portal, with mandatory SIVPM (Sistema de Informação dos Veículos com Pesados e Mercadorias) updates for commercial vehicles. The legal frame is unchanged — Decree-Law 144/2012 on vehicle registration, the Código do IUC for road tax pro-rata, and EU Directive 1999/37 on EU re-registration documents.
The destination matters: another EU/EEA Member State follows mutual recognition of the EU-format certificado de matrícula (V5 equivalent), with re-registration in the host country typically within 30 days. Third-country export requires a customs declaration via Sistema de Tarifas e Tributos Aduaneiros (STADA), an EUR.1 or origin declaration where preferential treatment applies, and the cancelamento at IMT before the vehicle leaves Portugal.
Pre-export checklist: what you need before booking
Documents: certificado de matrícula (DUA, single registration document), título de registo de propriedade (proof of ownership at Conservatória do Registo Automóvel), valid inspection (inspeção periódica obrigatória, IPO) certificate, IUC (Imposto Único de Circulação) up to date, NIF, identity document, foreign address proof.
Status checks: no outstanding fines (consultar coimas at ANSR online), no liens (penhoras) on the title, no active financing (banks usually demand full settlement before authorising export), no Imposto Sobre Veículos (ISV) refund claim still open. Any of these can block the cancelamento.
Insurance: Portuguese auto insurance typically covers EU/EEA driving for a temporary window (often 30-60 days) on the existing policy via the Carta Verde (Green Card). Outside the EU, transit insurance from the destination country is required from the border. Confirm with your insurer (Fidelidade, Tranquilidade, Allianz, Liberty Seguros) before departure.
Cancelling the matrícula at IMT
The cancelamento de matrícula request is filed online via IMT online (portal-imt.imt-ip.pt) or in person at an IMT branch. Required: certificado de matrícula original (returned to IMT), title document, proof of foreign export destination (foreign rental contract, foreign address, employer letter, or shipment booking), customs export declaration if third-country, and a fee of approximately €25-45 (2026 rates).
Once approved, IMT issues the certificado de cancelamento de matrícula and (for some destinations) the certificado de exportação. The Portuguese number plates are physically returned to IMT or — more commonly — kept until handover to the destination authority for re-registration. The vehicle’s status in SICAR (Sistema de Identificação dos Cidadãos e Automóveis Registados) is updated to cancelado por exportação.
EU/EEA re-registration: what to expect
| Destination | Body | Timeframe to register | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) | 30 days from import | €95 + ITV + impuesto matriculación | EU V5 (DUA) accepted; technical inspection on arrival |
| France | ANTS (carte grise online) | 30 days from import | €100-300 by region; quitus fiscal needed | Quitus fiscal from local SIE; DUA + COC required |
| Germany | Zulassungsstelle (KBA) | 14 days from import | €60-100 + TÜV inspection | EU V5 + COC + Mehrsteuer for new vehicles |
| Netherlands | RDW (Dienst Wegverkeer) | 14 days from import | €100 + BPM (CO2-based) | Inspection at RDW; BPM can exceed €1,000 for older cars |
| UK (post-Brexit) | DVLA + HMRC | 14 days from import | £55 + VAT/duty if applicable | NOVA notification to HMRC; IVA inspection |
Third-country export: customs and ISV refund
For destinations outside the EU/EEA (UK, Brazil, USA, Switzerland, etc.), the customs declaration of export (declaração aduaneira de exportação) is filed at the Alfândega via STADA, typically by a despachante oficial. Required: certificado de matrícula, ownership proof, NIF, invoice or valuation, and the destination country’s import requirements. The fee for despachante is €100-300; the customs declaration itself is free.
If the vehicle is being exported within 12 months of original ISV payment under specific circumstances, a partial ISV refund may be available — rarely applicable for emigrants since most cars have been driven in Portugal for years. The IUC for the year is pro-rata refundable from the date of cancelamento (file Modelo IUC at AT for the refund).
Shipping vs driving the car
Driving (intra-EU): easiest and cheapest for Spain, France, Italy. Use the existing matrícula until re-registration; carry certificado de matrícula, Carta Verde, IPO, IUC proof and the export authorisation in case of border check. Total cost: fuel + tolls + a single ferry/Channel-tunnel if going to UK/Ireland.
Shipping (intra-EU short-route): RoRo from Lisbon or Leixões to Antwerp, Bremerhaven or Tilbury — typical cost €700-1,500 depending on size. Faster than driving 2,500+ km. Handover with shipping line includes inspection of the certificado de matrícula and carta de porte.
Shipping (third-country): container or RoRo to Brazil, USA, UAE — €1,800-4,500 plus destination customs duties (which can exceed the car’s value in Brazil). Hire a global mover or specialist car-shipping agent. Always confirm whether the destination accepts the Portuguese certificate of conformity (COC) or requires a re-homologation.
Common mistakes that delay export
Forgetting unpaid IUC or fines. IMT cannot issue the cancelamento until cleared. Pay any open coimas via the ANSR portal first.
Not coordinating insurance. Carta Verde gaps mid-route can void cover. Notify the insurer of the export route and dates in writing.
Missing the 30-day re-registration window. Most EU/EEA host countries impose fines after 30 days. Book the foreign appointment before driving away from Portugal.
Underestimating destination tax. Netherlands BPM, France régionale, UK VAT/duty on UK-bound EU vehicles can each exceed €1,000-3,000. Calculate before deciding to export vs sell in Portugal.
FAQ
IMT cancellation cost?
Modest fee on the IMT-IP portal.
Insurance during transit?
Short-term export cover for 30-60 days.
EU export?
No duties but local re-registration required in the legal window.
Is exporting worth it?
Often yes for newer cars, rarely for older ones once duties and re-registration apply.
Classic car?
Special rules for vehicles over 30 years old certified by the relevant Portuguese classic car club.
Do I need to cancel the matrícula before driving the car abroad?
For permanent export, yes — the IMT cancelamento de matrícula must precede or accompany the export. For temporary movement (under 6 months) you can keep the Portuguese matrícula and Carta Verde, but for relocation the host country re-registration triggers the requirement.
Can I keep my Portuguese plates in another EU country?
Only temporarily, typically up to 6 months from the date of taking up residence in the host country. Beyond that, EU rules require local re-registration. France, Germany and the Netherlands actively enforce this with fines for over-stayers.
Will I get any IUC refund when I cancel the matrícula?
Yes — the unused portion of the year’s IUC is refundable pro-rata. File a refund claim with AT after the cancelamento; the refund typically lands within 60-90 days. Note that ISV is generally not refundable except in narrow specific cases.
Is shipping a car cheaper than driving it across the EU?
Driving is cheaper for short-medium distances (under 2,000 km) — fuel and tolls usually come out below €700-1,500 RoRo cost. Shipping wins for long routes (Lisbon to Hamburg or Helsinki) and for older or low-value cars where wear-and-tear matters more than time.
Time the temporary plate with the moving truck schedule to avoid uninsured days.
Flyto Relocation arranges international vehicle transport. Get a free quote.
See also: All Portugal moving guides.
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