There are many rules throughout Europe and especially in Portugal that becomes relevant when you are resident in a particular country. One rule that affects most of us is the re-registering vehicles and driving in Portugal.

FACT: Under European law if you spend more than 183 days a year in a country then you are fiscally resident here.

There are a few exceptions such as University Students, employees of government departments and forces’ personnel. If you go to your local Town Hall (Câmara) and declare your residency here, then you are a resident.

If you have a house in Portugal you may have claimed exemption from council tax due to it being your main residence. By doing so you have declared that Portugal is your main country of residence and you are therefore fiscally resident here.

If you have had a car in Portugal for more than 183 days in any year the customs authorities WILL know about it, and therefore you are classed as fiscally resident. Even if you did not declare it as you crossed the border it was recorded by customs. The editor has personal knowledge of customs’ officers knowing the time and date of a vehicle crossing the border when the driver was not aware of the fact it was being recorded.

NEED TO KNOW:

If you are a resident of Portugal you cannot drive a non-Portuguese registered vehicle; if you drive a car that is registered in the UK or Holland for example, and you are fiscally resident in Portugal, you are liable to a large fine if stopped by the authorities. You also need to register your UK driving licence with Portuguese authorities or change to a Portuguese one.