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Can I import car if I enter as tourist?

5 years ago
Hello,

I am Canadian, plan to live in Portugal permanently; however, it seems overly complicated and time consuming to go through work visa process. The consulate services in Canada are abysmally under staffed. I won't get into a rant, but needless to say, to go through all the proper channels will delay my plans to travel by at least 3 months if not more.

So I am planning to enter as tourist (no visa required from Canada), and then within days of arriving, I will start to work. Yes, I already have a job offer by a valid company (no documentation yet, but it is a 100% guaranteed thing). I will then apply for work visa from within Portugal.

Anyway, my question is not related to any of that. If I arrive as a tourist, and I ship a car via boat container, will I have to pay IVA or ISV taxes?

From the perspective of customs I am only in Portugal temporarily, so I wouldn't expect to pay IVA or ISV... so assuming that's the case, after I get my work visa ... what happens with my car? I am aware I am not allowed to legally drive it after 90 days since that's when tourist max stay ends. So if I am in Portugal, without yet permanent residency status (it takes 12 months after work to request residency), what happens to my car from a tax perspecitve? I would not intend to drive it, so it would sit in the driveway until I have permanent residency... my question is more about taxation. Essentially what is the process to legally avoid paying IVA and ISV on my imported car in the situation I described?

I am not sure I will get proper legal advice here, but thought I'd try. Assuming such, can anyone recommend a Portuguese lawyer or person expert in this area that can give legal advice?

Thanks

Greenbreeze
Greenbreeze

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