You've just bought your car in Germany. Money has changed hands, the seller handed you the keys and you're ready to set off towards Portugal. Right? Wrong.
In Germany (and in most European countries), when you buy a car, it comes without plates. The plates belong to the previous owner, not to the car. To drive legally from Munich to Lisbon, you need the famous "transit plates" or "export plates".
The Yellow Stripe vs. the Red Stripe 🇩🇪
If you go to Germany, you'll hear about two types of temporary plates:
1. Kurzzeitkennzeichen (Short-Term Plates - Yellow Stripe):
- Duration: Valid for only 5 days.
- Purpose: Officially, they're meant for test drives or short trips inside Germany.
- The problem: Although many people use them to drive back to Portugal, legally they are not recognised in every transit country (such as France or Spain). If French police pull you over with these plates, your car can be impounded. Don't risk it.
2. Ausfuhrkennzeichen (Export Plates - Red Stripe):
- Duration: Valid from 15 days up to 1 year (you choose the term, normally 15 or 30 days is plenty).
- Purpose: They're the official plates for exporting a car from Germany to another country.
- The advantage: They're 100% legal across Europe. You can cross borders without breaking into a cold sweat every time you spot a police car.
How Much Do They Cost and How Do You Get Them? 💶
Export plates (red stripe) cost between €150 and €250, depending on the validity term and where you buy them. This price already includes the mandatory third-party liability insurance for travelling around Europe.
If you buy the car at an official dealer (Autohaus), they handle this for you. When you go to pick up the car, the red plates are already mounted.
If you buy from a private seller, you have to go to the Zulassungsstelle (their version of the IMT) with the seller, present the car's documents, your ID card and pay the fees. It's a morning lost to bureaucracy, but it's part of the adventure.
I'm in Portugal. Now What? 🇵🇹
When you enter Portugal, you have 20 working days to go to Customs and declare the car (the famous Vehicle Customs Declaration - DAV). You can keep driving with the red plates until they expire or until you have the Portuguese plates (whichever comes first).
The Hook: Are You Driving Back? Multipark Is Waiting for You ✈️🚗
The return trip is the best part of the import. It's your epic roadtrip to get to know your new machine.
But how did you get to Germany in the first place? Probably by plane, from Lisbon, Porto or Faro. If you left your current car at Multipark's Valet Parking before flying out, the return is perfect.
When you arrive in Portugal driving your new beast with the red plates, all you have to do is stop at the airport terminal. Our Valet will be waiting to hand you the keys to your old car. You head home with both cars, no stress, no Uber rides, no bothering friends to come pick you up.
And if you don't want any headaches with the paperwork in Portugal, remember Multipark has a legalisation service. We handle Customs, the IMT, Inspection B and even the application for your new Portuguese plates. All you have to do is enjoy the roadtrip!
[Get a quote for your Valet Parking] before you fly and find out about our import support services.
