Government authorized to overhaul vehicle tax payment schedule
New legislation published in the Diário da República authorizes the government to change the payment model for the Single Circulation Tax (Imposto Único de Circulação or IUC). Starting in 2027, the tax will move to a fixed payment schedule rather than being tied to a vehicle's registration month. The transition year of 2027 will feature single or split payments depending on the tax amount, with a permanent format taking effect in 2028.
The IUC is the Imposto Único de Circulação (IUC), Portugal's annual vehicle circulation tax charged on cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. If you own or import a vehicle as an expat you must pay the IUC each year to the tax office (rates depend on age, engine size and emissions), and recent news says the payment date will be fixed on the calendar.
The Official Journal (Diário da República) is Portugal's government gazette where laws, decrees and public contracts are formally published and take legal effect. Public‑private partnership approvals and other official notices — like the launch of the Central Algarve Hospital PPP — are published there so residents and businesses can find the authoritative text.
