THE ESSENTIALS
Before you start
- Origin in another Member State is different from having no history.
- Equal treatment of a statement does not promise an equal premium.
- Provide the statement and request the insurer’s history-use policy.
What the Portuguese rule distinguishes
Article 20-A prohibits discrimination based on these statements, including nationality or residence. An insurer using them for pricing must treat another Member State’s statements like Portuguese ones, including for discounts. It must publish an up-to-date overview of its policy. Equal treatment does not set a common price across insurers.
Provide the complete document and actual period
Tiago identifies the issuer, person, vehicle and period actually evidenced. One claim-free year does not become five years of history. Clara suggests keeping the original file and any translation separate, without changing the issued content.
Uniform-policy Clause 33 allows evidenced information from another insurer or competent issuer in another Member State to be included for the last five years of the contractual relationship. It also provides for issue within 15 days of request. This is not a guaranteed response time for a foreign issuer.
Compare responses about the same risk
Our suggested comparison records the document provided, period recognised, stated history-use policy and unresolved questions. Compare quotations for the same vehicle, use, driver, covers and excesses. A premium difference alone does not establish its cause.
Tiago wants an affordable cost but does not state “no claims” simply to obtain a lower illustration. If the statement is wrong or incomplete, he seeks clarification from its issuer and flags the uncertainty in the request. He does not delete an incident from the file.
Request a checkable explanation
If the answer is simply “foreign history does not count”, ask how the document was assessed and where to find the history-use policy. Keep the question and response with the relevant quotation. This record can support clarification or a complaint through the appropriate channel; it does not establish discrimination in a particular case.
For future protection in Portugal, select Automóvel in the RMACHADO request and explain that you have history from another EU country. Personal documents should use only the indicated channel. Requesting a quotation neither activates insurance nor automatically transfers an earlier policy.
KEEP THESE QUESTIONS
Your checklist for the next conversation
- Check the issuer, person, vehicle and evidenced period.
- Keep the original statement without editing it.
- Ask about the policy and treatment of claims history.
- Compare equivalent quotations and clarify differences.
FROM THE ARTICLE TO YOUR SITUATION
Let us discuss your situation
Tell us what you want to protect. We review your request and help compare relevant terms. Requesting a quotation does not activate insurance.
Sources and transparency
Content updated on .
Consultation dates are stated in individual references when available.
Numerical examples are fictional and explain concepts. Editorial interpretations are identified in the text.
- Diário da República — compulsory motor insurance, Articles 20 and 20-A, consolidated text in force; accessed 30 October 2026 ↗
- ASF — Regulatory Standard 2/2026-R, uniform-policy Clause 33, pp. 5 and 18; accessed 30 October 2026 ↗
Information from RMACHADO GROUP. This is not an insurance offer or individual advice. Covers, acceptance, exclusions, sums insured and costs depend on the policy. The intermediary does not underwrite the risks.