License plates and registration
There are no military license plates in Portugal. All plates are civilian with 2 types of registration:
- Diplomatic or consulate registration — available from a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate
- Local civilian registration — available from a local registration office
Diplomatic registration is for imported vehicles or new vehicles purchased locally. The embassy requires an international motor insurance card to register. They also provide the license plate.
Civilian registration is for vehicles purchased locally that are already in the local registration system. The local license plate stays on the vehicle and transfers to the new owner.
Report your license plate number on usaa.com, our mobile app or call us as soon as you have it. Failure to do so could result in a fine and seizure of your vehicle.
Proof of insurance
We’ll email you an international motor insurance card, or green card, to use to register your vehicle for the first time.
After you register the vehicle and send us the license plate number, we’ll email you proof of insurance.
You’re required to always display proof of insurance in the vehicle.