🚗 Importing a car to Madeira: get Portuguese plates without the headache
Importing a car to Madeira sounds simpler than it is, and the island has its own twist. You are not dealing with mainland rules. Madeira runs its own land-transport authority, IMT, IP-RAM, and the Região Autónoma applies its own tax reductions. The good news: the path is clear once you know the two doors you have to knock on. The bad news: there is a hard 20-working-day clock ticking from the moment your car lands. Miss it and the fines bite. Here is exactly how to bring your car in, pay the right tax, and bolt on a Portuguese matrícula.
Last updated: June 2026Importing a car to Madeira means two stops: first the Alfândega do Funchal, where you file the DAV (Declaração Aduaneira de Veículo) and pay ISV within 20 working days of arrival, then IMT, IP-RAM at the Loja do Cidadão (Rua de São Pedro 25 e 27, Funchal) for Portuguese plates. The IMT registration fee is 50 euros, rising to 220 euros if your car has no EU type-approval. If you moved your residence to Madeira and owned the car for over 6 months, you can apply for full ISV exemption online via the Portal das Finanças within 12 months.
Know if importing is even worth it
Before you ship anything, do the maths. ISV (Imposto Sobre Veículos) is a one-time tax on the first Portuguese registration, calculated on engine size and CO2 emissions. For older or thirsty cars it can dwarf the car's value. Madeira softens the blow with regional reductions and a 16 percent VAT rate instead of the mainland's 23 percent, but a big diesel can still cost thousands. If your car is cheap or polluting, buying locally often wins. If it is electric, newish, or you qualify for the residence exemption, importing makes sense.
Get your NIF and paperwork in order
You need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and your full vehicle file: the foreign registration document, the technical specifications sheet, and the EU Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the manufacturer when it applies. Without the CoC, type-approval gets complicated and pricier. Gather rental receipts, utility bills or payslips from abroad too if you plan to claim the residence exemption.
File the DAV and pay ISV at the Alfândega do Funchal
This is the clock that matters for importing a car to Madeira. Within 20 working days of the car entering the island you must submit the DAV (Declaração Aduaneira de Veículo) through the Portal Aduaneiro and settle the ISV. Customs in Funchal will simulate the tax due first, so ask for that before you commit. You then have 10 working days from the assessment notice to pay.
Claim the ISV exemption if you moved here
If you transferred your residence to Madeira, owned the car in your own name for more than 6 months before the move, and it is for personal use, you can apply for full ISV exemption. The request goes in online via the Portal das Finanças and you have up to 12 months from the date you moved. Have your proof of prior residence ready: tenancy receipts, water or electricity bills, payslips or pension and health-system contributions.
Pass the technical inspection (IPO)
Most imported cars need an inspection before getting plates so the regional services can confirm the vehicle matches its papers. Book one at an inspection centre on the island and bring the same document set. Cars over 8 years old then face inspections every 6 months once registered, so factor that into your running costs.
Register at IMT, IP-RAM for your Madeira plates
With ISV settled and inspection done, head to IMT, IP-RAM inside the Loja do Cidadão da Madeira on Rua de São Pedro in Funchal to request your matrícula. The base registration fee is 50 euros, with an extra 170 euros if the car lacks national or European type-approval. You have 60 days from when the plate is assigned to complete registration, then pay your annual road tax (IUC) within the following 30 days. New plates fitted, you are road-legal.
IMT, IP-RAM: Loja do Cidadão da Madeira
Rua de São Pedro 25 e 27, 9000-219 Funchal
🕒 Weekdays 08:30–19:30, Saturdays 08:30–13:30
Browse cars in Madeira
Before you ship a car across the Atlantic, see what is already on the island. Importing a car to Madeira is rarely the cheap option once ISV lands. Browse local and Autonexa listings with plates and inspection already sorted, or get vetted help with the paperwork if you do import.
See cars for sale in Madeira Get help legalizing your imported carFrequently asked questions
How long do I have to register an imported car in Madeira?
You must file the DAV at customs within 20 working days of the car arriving. After ISV is settled and the plate is assigned, you have 60 days to finish registration at IMT, then 30 more days to pay the IUC road tax.
How much does it cost to import a car to Madeira?
The main cost is ISV, based on engine size and CO2, which can run into thousands for older cars. On top of that, IMT registration is 50 euros, plus 170 euros if the car has no EU type-approval, plus inspection fees. Madeira applies regional reductions and 16 percent VAT instead of the mainland's 23 percent.
Can I avoid paying ISV when I move to Madeira?
Yes, if you transferred your residence to Madeira, owned the car in your name for over 6 months before moving, and use it personally. Apply online through the Portal das Finanças within 12 months of the move and provide proof of your former residence abroad.
Where do I get Portuguese plates in Madeira?
At IMT, IP-RAM inside the Loja do Cidadão da Madeira, Rua de São Pedro 25 e 27, Funchal. It is open weekdays 08:30 to 19:30 and Saturdays 08:30 to 13:30.
Do I need a Certificate of Conformity to import my car?
For an EU car, yes, the manufacturer's CoC makes type-approval straightforward. Without it, IMT charges an extra 170 euros and the process is slower, since the car must be approved without a recognised national or European type-approval.
Is it cheaper to import my car or buy one in Madeira?
For older or high-emission cars, ISV often makes importing more expensive than buying locally. For newer, electric or low-emission cars, or if you qualify for the residence exemption, importing can be worth it. Run the customs ISV simulation before deciding.