Bought a car in another EU country: what do the 30 days mean for insurance?

A choice about the location of risk

For a qualifying transfer between Member States, Article 5 of Decree-Law 291/2007 allows a choice between the State of registration and the destination State as the location of risk. Under the second option, the 30 days run from the purchaser’s acceptance of delivery, even without formal registration in the destination State. Paragraph 2 applies the arrangement to a vehicle arriving from another Member State.

The wording introduced in 2025 concerns that choice. It grants neither 30 days of uninsured driving nor a registration deadline, and confirms no particular insurer’s acceptance. A foreign number plate alone does not establish which policy applies to the journey.

Sources: Diário da República — DL 291/2007, Articles 3–5; stated last amendment: 20 March 2025; read 2 November 2026 ↗ · Diário da República — DL 26/2025, Article 2, wording of Article 5(1); published 20 March 2025; read 2 November 2026 ↗

Record delivery before planning the return

As a preparation method, Tiago records purchase, acceptance of delivery and transport to Portugal separately. Paying a deposit or arriving home should not replace acceptance of delivery without clarification. If the documents show different events, he raises the discrepancy before agreeing when insurance should start.

He gathers the available foreign documents, vehicle identification and intended destination. Paragraph 2 refers to contractual identification based on foreign documents before Portuguese registration, under its stated terms. Clara asks the insurer to confirm what is needed for this case; this guide gives no universal document list or promise of cover based solely on a chassis number.

Sources: Diário da República — DL 291/2007, Articles 3–5; stated last amendment: 20 March 2025; read 2 November 2026 ↗

Confirm the policy for the actual journey

Request written confirmation of the identified vehicle, start date and time, validity of insurance evidence and intended route. Explain whether the car will be driven or transported. If someone says the seller’s insurance still exists, clarify whom it covers and when it ceases rather than treating it as sufficient evidence for collection.

The official Your Europe portal distinguishes compulsory insurance from optional covers and warns of territorial or time conditions affecting the latter. Tiago therefore asks separately about damage to his own car and assistance on the return journey. The location-of-risk answer does not settle those covers.

Sources: Your Europe — Car insurance validity in the EU, validity and host-country sections; checked 13 October 2026; read 2 November 2026 ↗

Prepare for Portuguese registration too

Before collection, agree how to report Portuguese registration to the insurer and what document to expect. Ask what arrangement will apply after the transitional period. Do not assume that arrival in Portugal automatically extends the policy, changes its vehicle identification or preserves its price. Registration, tax and road-use requirements should be checked with the competent authorities.

To prepare a quotation, select Motor under “Request a quote” on RMACHADO and state the registration country, destination, expected delivery and registration status. Clara helps Tiago ask these questions before committing to travel costs. The request neither issues insurance nor confirms permission to drive the car.