Is the maximum value of the Single Traffic Tax paid in Portugal much higher than in Spain?
The message is simple and direct: “IUC maximum in Vilar Formoso (Portugal), 985 euros; Maximum IUC in Fuentes de Oñoro (Spain), 140 euros“. These comparisons between the cost of living on both sides of the border are recurrent on social networks, motivating successive verifications of Polygraph facts (here, here, or here, among several other examples).
Taxes, tax burden, fuel prices, gas cylinders and automobiles, tolls on motorways, almost always highlighting that in Spain it is cheaper than in Portugal. This time the Single Circulation Tax (IUC) is at stake, but are the values indicated correct?
Contacted by Polygraph, Elsa Serraresponsible for ACP Autos, department of the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), confirms that the maximum amount of IUC paid in our country, in general, is much superior the maximum amount of the equivalent tax that is levied in the neighboring country.
“In Spain there is a general table which then takes regional additions or bonuses. Each province and each municipality can add to the table in order to have a benefit extraa recipe extra and also manage its automobile policy there”, begins by emphasizing Serra, indicating that the highest value is applied in Madrid.
According to the general table, highlighted by the person in charge, “for ACP Autosthe maximum tax paid in Spain is 112 euros“. In other words, the most powerful cars pay, in the worst case scenario, just over 100 euros.
In addition, “the maximum applied in 2021 in Spain was in the city of Madrid and the value was 224 eurosa value bottom to the maximum paid in Portugal”, he concludes.
The Polygraph also asked Ernesto Pinto, tax officer at DECO Proteste, on this matter. In Portugal, he begins by explaining, “the amount of IUC payable depends on a number of factors such as the level of control, the type of fuel used and the nature of the vehicle itself”. And contrary to what happens in Spain, this tax “is charged in the same way throughout the national territory“, without variations between different regions.
“We can also say that the PVP (Public Sales Price) of an automobile in Portugal it’s fine highest than an owner in Spain and that this difference can reach almost 50%“, highlighted Pinto.
And as for the specific case presented in the publication, is it true that the maximum IUC in Vilar Formoso can be 980 euros? “Theoretically, yes. But it’s not easy“, replies Serra. The person in charge of ACP Autos admits that “in theory, a car can pay for an IUC that around these valuesbut we are talking about exception of the exception”.
By applying the IUC table, the additional to the IUC and taking into account the age of the vehicle, “a diesel car that emits more than 260 grams of COtwo per kilometer and which has a cylinder capacity of more than 2,500 cubic centimeters, pay around 980 euros (975.83 euros), if it is a 2021 car”. However, noting Serra, “it’s difficult a diesel car will emit more than 260 grams of COtwo per kilometer”.
“The market itself regulates itself. A car that has these characteristics pays a lot of taxes from the entrance, therefore, are cars that are not sold in Portugal. And nowadays it is difficult for a diesel car to emit more than 260 grams of COtwo“, he assures.
In these cases, emphasizes the person in charge of ACP Autos, “we are not talking about the common car”, but what she calls “like super bombs“. Therefore, “part of the people in Portugal pay 900 euros of IUC, pays the largest organization not any less“.
As for the maximum amount of tax in Fuentes de Oñoro, it is confirmed that it is 140 eurosaccording to the tax regulatory tax ordinance on mechanical traction vehicles in that Spanish municipality, close to the border with Portugal.
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