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Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Matriculation into Portugal
Hiya,

I know the (sometimes) painful process of re-registering a UK car into Portugal but was looking for advice on Defender specific.

Has anyone done this. I'm more concerned around modifications as not sure how the authorities and insurance take a view.

It's possible I may be looking to matriculate my 2007 110 XS. It doesn't have any performance modifications, just a bit of protection and off road modifications.

Thanks in advance for any help! Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography


Last edited by x-isle on 26th Jul 2015 9:19am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #440392 26th Jul 2015 7:17am
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couplands



Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826

United Kingdom 2001 Defender 90 Td5 HT Oslo Blue
I have no specific knowledge other than we were there in March doing some off roading with some local lads. They said that mods on vehicles are very closely monitored and we were even stopped by the police who checked if we had the standard wheels on the trucks.

So it seems very wise to find out the situation on mods.

Cheers

Simon
Post #440398 26th Jul 2015 8:08am
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x-isle



Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Thanks Simon.

I've noticed the many times I've been there that it seems that modified vehicles of any sort are scrutineered a fair bit.

Although, I have seen some well prep'd off roaders.

Most of my bits are just underbody protection. The only thing that will probably raise an eyebrow is my wheel spacers but can always go back to thinner tyres and remove them, there isn't too much need for mud tyres out there.

The wheels are standard.

I've sent a message to the Land Rover Owners Club in Portugal for more information. Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography
Post #440400 26th Jul 2015 8:20am
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x-isle



Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
....the more I look into this, the more I've decided to not do it.

There is a possibility, but not many have managed, to re-register a car without paying the import duty. This is a hot topic as many think it's against the EU rules, however, the EU still allow it.

However, it's not easy and unlikely to get away without paying it.

Therefore, the import tax is based on engine size and emissions....oh dear!.......

If a Defender is a "car" then the cost to import it is almost, wait for it....... €19,000! WTF!?!?!?

If a Defender is a "commercial vehicle", then it costs around €3,000 to import it.

Many of you would say, sell up and buy another Defender in Portugal.

Portugal is a very cheap place to live, everything is much cheaper than most of Europe......except 2nd hand cars which are eye watering.

For example, an old car that you could pick up in the UK for less than £1,000 would cost around €6,000 in Portugal.

There are 2 reasons I was intent on taking it with me;

1. The high cost of 2nd hand vehicles
2. My Defender is in the £500 tax bracket here, so limits my selling audience somewhat. Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography
Post #440432 26th Jul 2015 10:31am
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Fabio



Member Since: 05 Aug 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 589

Portugal 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Just keep it on uk plates.
I went with my brother when he had his mot done and there was a car with uk plates having the mot done...
And i think you can do it.
Also most of the cars i see in the algarve don't have tax disc up to date.
This obviously before the end of the tax disc.
I didn't go there this year.

Fabio
Post #449458 26th Aug 2015 4:55pm
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x-isle



Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
A lot of people do it, but it's actually illegal.

For a foreign vehicle to be legal in Portugal it has to be in the country for no more than 6 months and taking it to Spain and back doesn't count.

Also, a Portuguese MOT means nothing even though people get it done. A foreign vehicle has to be both taxed and MOT'd in the country of registration. This is an EU rule.

As I said, lots of Expat do this, however, lots have also been told to take the vehicle out or risk having it impounded and then face a very heavy tax bill.

Things have changed since I originally posted. Although the Defender would be great fun out there, we've decided to take the Evoque (which I can do tax free) with us instead (and our Motorhome which I'll pay the tax on), therefore, my 110 will be up for sale in the next few weeks. Big Cry Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography
Post #449543 26th Aug 2015 9:01pm
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Fabio



Member Since: 05 Aug 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 589

Portugal 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
How can you take the evoque tax free?
I know the law, if i could i would have a soft top there for when i go on holiday.
The tax and prices of cars in Portugal are mad.
Where in Portugal are you to?

Fabio
Post #449749 27th Aug 2015 4:29pm
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x-isle



Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Any non-Portuguese EU resident can take one vehicle into Portugal tax free if they are taking up residency, but like most things in Portugal there is a lot of red tape and paper work involved. If one part of the application is wrong, you end up paying the tax.

As long as the vehicle has been owned for at least 12 months and you've lived in the same country as registration for 12 months then it "can" be brought in tax free. Once completed, you then have to keep the car for a certain amount of time, can't remember if it's 12 months or 3 years.

We are using an agent in Faro to take the Evoque in free of tax, but will have to pay tax on the Motorhome as they are both registered in my name. The Motorhome isn't a huge amount of tax as it's classified differently.

As much as the Defender would be fantastic, it's a bit silly to sell the Evoque and take the Defender.

As for the cost of cars in Portugal, even very old 2nd hand ones....... Shocked It's the reason we are taking ours with us.

We've not got anywhere as yet, but will be in the Central Algarve area, probably around Silves. Most of our (Portuguese) friends live and work around Alvor but we don't want to live in a tourist beach town, but close enough to get there. Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography
Post #449884 27th Aug 2015 10:06pm
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Fabio



Member Since: 05 Aug 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 589

Portugal 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
That is what i am allowed too.
I can take a car with me (tax free) when i go back for good, hopefully it will be the defender.
Silves is where i got married.
We go there every time we go on holiday to Portugal.
My brother and my wife's family live in Armacao de Pera and my wife has an appartment there.
Next time i go there (maybe next year) i'll keep an eye out for an Evoque.
Are you moving there? or is it just for holidays?

Fabio
Post #450053 28th Aug 2015 12:40pm
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x-isle



Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Thumbs Up

We are moving there for good once we sell our house.

If you draw a triangle between Silves, Messines and Tunes, this is the area we hope to be in.

Close enough to the coast and close enough to the mountains for my biking.

Over the years, I've had a lot of happy memories from Portugal and it gets harder to come home every time we go. Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography
Post #450055 28th Aug 2015 12:45pm
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Fabio



Member Since: 05 Aug 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 589

Portugal 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Nice! I like that area.
Some nice restaurants in Algoz.
Good luck with the move Craig.

Fabio
Post #450061 28th Aug 2015 12:52pm
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Def90



Member Since: 17 Jan 2015
Location: Kent
Posts: 252

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Corris Grey
I know this is an old thread but has anyone had experience of the matriculation process with a modified Defender ?
Post #711567 9th Jun 2018 9:33am
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Fabio



Member Since: 05 Aug 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 589

Portugal 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Modifying anything on a vehicle legally in Portugal is very hard.
I'm not sure when you bring in a foreign vehicle.
But it will probably be the same.
What do you mean by modified?


Fabio
Post #711578 9th Jun 2018 11:18am
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Def90



Member Since: 17 Jan 2015
Location: Kent
Posts: 252

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Corris Grey
Hi Fabio

I have a few genuine Land Rover accessories fitted like a steering guard, rear step, side steps but then I also have different wheels & tyres changed the dampers and springs up rated the rear ARB, also have some under body protection I could go on it’s a long list!

All pretty standard stuff for owners on this web site but from what I have been reading about importing a vehicle into Portugal possibly all issues.

Just wondered if anyone had attempted the matriculation process with a modified Defender.
Post #711635 9th Jun 2018 7:36pm
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Fabio



Member Since: 05 Aug 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 589

Portugal 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Hello Sir,

I asked a friend and if you are moving to Portugal and giving up your UK address then it is possible to do.
But expect to pay the tax as if it were a new vehicle when it comes to emissions.
If you are thinking of just importing the defender to Portugal it costs a little fortune. Unless it is a commercial or hard top as it is called here. But it isn't cheap either way.
If it was i would have a series there for the summer.
Let me know what you are going to do as i would love to put a series in Portugal for the holidays.
If there is anything you think i could help with let me know.

Fabio
Post #711644 9th Jun 2018 9:10pm
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