Legalizing a motorcycle in Portugal is a process that raises many questions, but in reality, it’s considerably simpler and more economical than legalizing a car. Whether you’re buying a new model from a national dealership or considering importing a used motorcycle from the European Union, the costs vary depending on the engine size, origin, and age of the vehicle.
- 1. Buying in Portugal: The Simplest Option
If you choose to buy a new motorcycle directly from a dealership in Portugal, the process is extremely easy. The seller takes care of all the paperwork, registration, and licensing. In these cases, the base cost is around €100 to €150, a value that already includes:
Issuance of the Vehicle Registration Document (DUA).
Registration with the IMT (Institute of Mobility and Transport).
Manufacturing of license plates.
- 2. Importing from the European Union (EU)
Many motorcyclists choose to import models from Spain, Germany, or France. In these cases, the costs are divided into bureaucracy and taxes:
Fixed Costs and Bureaucracy:
Type B Inspection (mandatory for used motorcycles): Between €30 and €60.
European Certificate of Conformity (COC): May be free if provided with the motorcycle, but manufacturers may charge up to €150 for a duplicate. If there is no COC, individual homologation costs between €150 and €200.
Registration with IMT and DUA: Between €55 and €65, plus €20 to €30 for registration.
Taxes (ISV and IUC):
The ISV (Vehicle Tax) is usually zero or very low for two-wheeled motorcycles, especially for engine sizes up to 125 cc.
Electric motorcycles enjoy total exemption from ISV and IUC (annual tax).
For combustion engine motorcycles, the IUC (Vehicle Tax) is free if the tax amount is less than €10 (common for low-displacement motorcycles), but it can reach €140 annually for motorcycles above 750 cc.
- Importing Outside the EU: The Scenario to Avoid
Importing motorcycles from countries like Switzerland or China is an expensive process that should be avoided in most cases. In addition to the costs mentioned, you will have to pay 23% VAT, customs duties, and the full amount of ISV (Vehicle Tax), which significantly increases the investment.
Total Cost Estimate
For a typical 125cc scooter from the EU (like the popular Honda PCX), the total legalization process costs, on average, between €200 and €400. If the motorcycle is a rare or older model requiring noise tests or special homologations, the cost can rise to the range of €500 to €700.
If you prefer to avoid queues and bureaucracy, you can hire a specialized agency, which usually charges between R$200 and R$400 for the management service, ensuring that you will not have problems with the documentation. In short, legalizing a motorcycle in Portugal is an accessible process, especially for European and low-displacement vehicles. It’s the equivalent of getting a passport for your vehicle: although it requires the payment of some fees and the submission of specific forms, it is the essential step that ensures your motorcycle has “residence authorization” to circulate freely and with full legal security on Portuguese roads.
Our motorcycle and scooter rental customers ask us to determine if the vehicle category is ideal for them. We are always open to this type of request.