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, motorhomes 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.
Driving a UK Registered Car Abroad
It is illegal to use your car abroad without paying for a British licence unless you have applied to export the vehicle. You can only do this if it is to be out of the country for more than 12 months. To apply for export you must use the relevant section on your V5.
The DVLA now has an automated system of fines which will accrue against you should you fail to tax your car for whatever reason (including an automatic £80 fine if you are later than 11.00am on the first day of the month the car tax is due).
If your vehicle is out of the country but remains registered in the UK you must ensure that it is licenced for the duration of your stay abroad.
If you need to relicence your vehicle before or while you are abroad you should apply by post on form V10 – download from www.direct.gov.uk/motoring. This should be sent to a main Motor Vehicle Licencing Issuing Post Office up to 2 months before the licence is due to start. (telephone the Post Office +44 (0) 845 722 3344 for addresses of Post Offices which issue licences). You must give an address for where the licence is to be sent – this can be a foreign address if applicable, but you must enter your British address on the V10.
A foreign MOT certificate is not acceptable.
Your car insurance certificate must of course be sent along with your cheque and up to date MOT certificate.
It is illegal to apply for SORN and then drive your car even if it is out of the UK. Heavy fines will be applied.