A foreign registration certificate, a purchase invoice issued in Germany, or a certificate of conformity from outside Portugal will not get a vehicle registered with the IMT on their own. Portugal's Institute of Mobility and Transport requires that any document written in another language be accompanied by a certified translation, and a missing or non-compliant translation is one of the most common reasons import registration files get sent back or delayed.
Which documents the IMT asks for in translation
Importing a vehicle, whether from another EU member state or from outside the EU, normally requires several foreign-issued documents. The most common are:
- Original registration certificate (Certificate of Registration, Fahrzeugschein, Carte grise)
- European Certificate of Conformity (CoC), when not already in Portuguese or English
- Purchase invoice or sale contract
- Certificate of origin or manufacturer's declaration, for older or modified vehicles
- Customs document (DAU), when the vehicle comes from outside the EU
Any of these documents issued in a language other than Portuguese needs a certified translation to be accepted by the IMT or by whoever handles the process on the owner's behalf, such as a customs agent or car dealership.
What "certified translation" means in this context
Portugal has no sworn translation system. What exists is certified translation, authenticated by a lawyer registered with the Ordem dos Advogados or by a notary. The translator declares before that authority that the translation faithfully matches the original, and both sign the certificate attached to the document.
This distinction matters because many owners importing a vehicle from Spain or Germany, where the sworn translator figure does exist (traductor jurado, beeidigter Übersetzer), assume a translation done in those countries is automatically valid in Portugal. It is not. The IMT requires certified translation under Portuguese rules, regardless of where the vehicle originated or where the document was first translated.
If the vehicle comes from a country outside the EU and the registration certificate is in Arabic, Chinese, or another language without easy local access to certified translators, the more reliable route is commissioning the translation directly in Portugal, from someone familiar with the format the IMT expects to see.
Apostille or legalisation: when it applies
Most registration documents and purchase invoices do not need an apostille or consular legalisation for the registration process itself, because the certified translation already resolves the linguistic validity question for the Portuguese authority. The apostille becomes relevant in specific cases, such as when the IMT or customs asks for additional proof of authenticity for the source document, for instance certificates of origin issued by public bodies in non-EU countries.
In those cases, if the country of origin is party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille is issued by the competent authority there before the document leaves. If the vehicle comes from a country that is not party to the convention, the document needs consular legalisation instead, done at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in the country of origin. It is worth confirming this requirement with the customs office or the regional IMT directorate handling the file before proceeding, since the criteria vary by vehicle type and country of origin.
Mistakes that delay registration
The most frequent delays in registering imported vehicles trace back to three issues:
- Translation without valid certification: a translation done privately, by an agency with no lawyer or notary authentication, or printed without the attached certificate, gets rejected outright.
- Mismatch between the translated and original VIN: mistyped vehicle identification numbers create discrepancies that block the process until corrected.
- Incorrect technical terminology: vehicle categories, fuel types and emissions classifications have specific Portuguese equivalents that, translated loosely, do not match the IMT's own classification system.
For anyone handling a first-time import, it is worth asking the translator or translation company for a sample of the automotive glossary they will use before confirming the order, especially for less common vehicle categories such as hybrid-electric or heavy commercial vehicles.
How M21Global handles this type of request
M21Global provides certified translation of vehicle documents for customs agents, dealerships and private owners registering imported vehicles with the IMT. Registration certificates, invoices and conformity certificates are handled within the legal translation service, with attention to the sector-specific terminology and the certification format the IMT recognises.
For related legal documents that come with vehicle imports, such as sale contracts needing additional legal validity, the article on certified legal translation services covers the process in more detail. Request a quote from M21Global and get a response within three business hours, with a clear outline of the certification process your file needs.
Related Services
Request a free legal translation quote
- Request a free legal translation quote
- Certified Legal Translation Services
- Sworn Translation For Court Documents
- Legal Translation Services For Contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the IMT accept a plain translation for registering an imported vehicle?
No. The IMT requires certified translation, authenticated by a lawyer registered with the Ordem dos Advogados or by a notary, for registration documents, invoices and conformity certificates issued in another language.
Does a sworn translation done in Spain or Germany work in Portugal?
Usually not on its own. The IMT requires certified translation in the Portuguese format, even when the document was already translated in the country of origin by a traductor jurado or beeidigter Übersetzer.
Does the imported vehicle's registration certificate need an apostille?
Usually not, since the certified translation already resolves the document's linguistic validity. An apostille is typically only requested in specific cases, such as certificates of origin from non-EU countries, and should be confirmed with the customs office or the regional IMT directorate handling the file.
How long does certified translation of vehicle documents take?
Turnaround depends on document volume and technical complexity. M21Global provides a timeline and cost estimate in the quote, sent within three business hours of the request.
What documents are typically required to register an imported vehicle?
The original registration certificate, European Certificate of Conformity (CoC), purchase invoice or sale contract, and, for non-EU imports, the customs document (DAU) and possibly a certificate of origin.
