The government has approved a measure for the Single Circulation Tax (Imposto Único de Circulação, IUC) to be paid in April by vehicle owners who settle the amount in a single installment—up to 100 euros: “Anyone who owns a vehicle on January 1 of each year will now pay the IUC in April,” announced the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, this Thursday.
A legislative proposal was sanctioned in the Council of Ministers, aimed at regulating the manner of IUC payment, noted the minister, adding that there is now an option for installment payments. “If the IUC due is up to 100 euros, it is paid in April; if it ranges between 100 euros and 500 euros, it is payable in two installments, April and October; if it exceeds 500 euros, it can be paid in three installments: April, July, and October,” clarified António Leitão Amaro.
The proposal will now proceed to the Assembly of the Republic.
The Minister of the Presidency also mentioned the introduction of a “transitional regime in 2027 to prevent situations where taxpayers would have to pay the IUC for both 2026 and 2027 within a short time span.”
“The idea is for the payment to no longer be made in the month of registration—which varies for different vehicles—but instead, like most other taxes paid by the Portuguese, to have a specific month,” he further explained.
“To make it clear” and “to avoid fake news,” Leitão Amaro emphasized that “the changes to the IUC do not involve any tax increase.” “On the contrary, they simplify the way the Portuguese pay this tax.”
11/12/2025 – Council of Ministers https://t.co/lbl3ItUfuX
— República Portuguesa (@govpt) December 11, 2025
It is noteworthy that the government had initially announced that the IUC payment would be made in February, starting in 2026.
If you own a car and are accustomed to paying the Single Circulation Tax in the car’s anniversary month, be aware that starting in 2026, the schedule for paying this tax will change.
Beatriz Vasconcelos | 07:59 – 07/11/2025
