Do I have to register the car I bought?
Yes: when buying a used car, the buyer must register ownership — within 60 days. The legal basis is Decree-Law 54/75 (Vehicle Ownership Registry). The deadline is 60 days from the date on the sale declaration, and responsibility (and payment) lies with the buyer. You can register online, via Automóvel Online (with a Citizen Card or Digital Mobile Key), or in person at a Vehicle Registry or Citizen's Shop. Afterwards, the DUA (Single Vehicle Document) is issued in the new owner's name. The 2026 cost is around €55 online (~€65 in person). In short: yes, the buyer registers within 60 days.
📋 The rules
- Registration mandatory: the buyer does it and pays
- Deadline: 60 days from the sale declaration
- Online via Automóvel Online or at the Registry
- The DUA is issued in the new owner's name
- 2026 cost: ~€55 online (~€65 in person)
🔓 Exceptions
- Inheritance/donation: different triggering documents
- Imported vehicles: an "initial registration"
- Financed cars: register the ownership reservation
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Registration after the 60-day deadline becomes late and, in practice, doubles the cost, with a fine equal to the registration fee itself. Also, until you register, the seller still appears as the owner and can be held liable for road tax (IUC) and offences. Beware myths: many sites say "the seller pays the registration" — wrong, it's the buyer; and don't use Brazilian terms (DETRAN, CRV/DUT, licensing) — in Portugal it's ownership registration and the DUA. To stay compliant: register within the 60 days, preferably online; check the seller hands over the sale declaration and the DUA; and if the car is financed, ensure the ownership reservation is registered.
📎 Official sources
- IRN — registering a vehicle →
- Automóvel Online — vehicle registration →
- Decree-Law 54/75 — vehicle registry →
❓ Frequently asked
Who registers the car, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer. When buying a used car, it's the buyer who must register ownership, within 60 days, and it's the buyer who pays. It's a common myth that the seller handles the registration. The seller hands over the sale declaration and the single document, the DUA.
What's the deadline to register?
The deadline is 60 days, counted from the date on the sale declaration. Within this period, registration has the normal cost. After the deadline, it becomes late, which in practice doubles the value, with a fine equal to the registration fee.
Can I register online?
Yes. Ownership registration can be done online, via Automóvel Online, using a Citizen Card or the Digital Mobile Key. Alternatively, you can go to any Vehicle Registry or Citizen's Shop. Afterwards, the DUA is issued in the new owner's name.
How much does registration cost?
In 2026, registering ownership of a car costs about €55 online and around €65 in person. A simple change of address costs less, around €30 to €35. The figures are updated periodically, so it's worth confirming at the time.
What happens if I don't register in time?
If you don't register within 60 days, the registration becomes late and the cost practically doubles. Also, the seller still appears as the owner and can be held liable for road tax and offences committed with the car. So it's wise to register within the deadline.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “car registration deadline 60 days”
- “buying used car registration”
- “who pays car registration”
- “automovel online registration”
- “dua single vehicle document”
- “late car registration”