I am in the process of renewing my driving licence in the UK because i am now over 70 years old ..To complicate matters i wanted to keep my trailer and mini bus categories due to planned Motorsport activities
..I needed a medical and eye optician tests to prove i am fit to carry on with the status.
The forms are confusing but compaired to your quest of the paperwork necessary and costing are a dream..
Would i have left my treasured car behind ..No !
Looking back to when i was 17 and had my first car ,i regret selling that vehicle to this day.
In comparison it would be like giving up my dogs so to be able to emigrate.

Interesting and informative video, makes my importation of a car from the UK to Spain seem like a bargain. I drove it to Spain and then I hired a company to do the paperwork and changing the headlights to conform. Total cost was just over 2000 euros,

Selling your car in the US and buying a similar one in Europe would have been probably much more relaxing and cost effective. Remember this car is…german, so fairly common in Europe. I m stunned by the price of a 22 ft container. We shipped a car from netherlands to Argentina in 2009 and the price was…1000 Euros for the container only.

With 11000 euros you can buy a small Renault almost new. And no trouble.

Good work! Of course you did the right thing and it is true that life is short and you realize that more the closer to the end you get. I guess we all wish we could have come to that conclusion way sooner. °_°

It's a beautiful car, and if yoh can afford, I think it was well worth it. Its just a shame everything takes so long, which gets you down more than anything I think.

Thanks for this very informative video. I decided not to bring my car, but in your case, it is worth it if it makes you happy. I would though ask around for a garage to rent, or your car's finish won't last parked outside. Unfortunately, here in the mainland, Portuguese tend to be careless when driving, parking and getting in/out of vehicles. So unless you have plenty of space to park away from others, soon you may see a few dings and scratches, which would be a shame. 🙈A real estate agent could help you find one nearby.

OMG! Love the bug! It's exactly the same as what we had and we totally restored it. Then three months later an older man pulled out in front of me in his Lincoln! Totaled it! Poor little blue…fortunately neither my self and my twins were hurt. As a beetle lover I'd say it's totally worth the price and hoops to jump thru to have your car there. Thanks for sharing all of what you need to do to ship. We're you able to stuff your car with household items as well as using up the extra 2 and a half feet of space in the shipping container?

Great, detailed video, thanks. Glad you got your ¨baby´ there safely, brings back good memories of the super beetle that I once had. Also loved seeing the scenes at the car show, lots of great classics there. Chuckled seeing all those mini mokes.

great video, nice bettle, honestly your experience has ignited the wish to do as you did, as you said life is short! keep the videos and excellent information

Alan and the bug, what good looking couple! And yes, it was worth every single cent! The car is so beautiful, and you too Alan (Ian's words)

❤️Very Nice. Again Greetings from Termas de Monfortinho

Love your videos and envy your choices with this life changing move to Madeira. Congratulations! What is involved to get a driver’s license on the island? Is there a written test requirement?

What a beautiful bug 🚙……congratulations! It may have been a bit of a paperwork nightmare, but definitely worth it. Enjoy driving around that lovely island.

She's beautiful 🙂 Absolutely worth it!

Sometimes you just have to go with your heart. This car seems to bring you a lot of joy.

Thank you, Allen, we saw you on a hit the Road Madeira Video and have been binge watching your videos. My wife and I have mirrored may of your adventures and decisions and trying to make our final trips to make our decision where to go. We had planned on Madeira trip this year, but world events changed our plans. I really appreciate your perspective as you have many of the same requirements and expectations we have. I don't know if I would bring a car given costs, I'm not a collector, just an avid user. I do have things like tools I would like to bring but not such that I would pay twice for the privilege to continue to own used tools. I really like your videos as we finally get to see the island and not just tourist snippets, which captured me but not enough to pull me in, you are pulling me in and showing me the water is just fine. I agree we should just go now, but I'm going to give it until I'm 60 or one bad phone call to pull the RipChord. Only a few years away. I plan to vacation there soon, and also Ecuador, just like you! then make a decision, I agree Costa Rica, Panama, etc. are just too hot. I may keep a retirement home in Texas and rent, maybe we will move back when we get really old, and until then we will let someone else pay for our house. Keep it up, videos are awesome, and yes, it's fun!.
Ray

It's really nice to see a Beetle in such original condition.
Worth it because you are attached to it, your wife, less so.
Did you spend more in total than the car is worth in terms of resale?

Footnote: I was charged €15 for my NIF back in 2013.

Yay!! It arrived!
😊

Hi Alan, thank you for showing us this beautiful car, it was worth it, it’s great . Cheers Laurence

Registering your car as a classic car can save you tons of money

Your beetle manage to climb the steepest streets, don't forget to use engine to reduce speed when going down, to avoid overheating the brakes

Thanks for the details involved in importing a car from US. As for the question was it worth it or Not. It depends. If you are passionate about that specific car it is worth it because there is a lot of emotional value that goes with it. If I was in your situation and even if the car was important to me, I would not have imported it. My reason the cost of move and the head ache involved is way too much. A bulk of that expense you incurred could have gone into new car that will have a lot of years of trouble free use. Noe that you have your Baby Bug Enjoy it and show it off to the crowd.

I heard the roads were a bit narrow there. Think there would be an issue getting around in an international scout harvester?

The Bug has a great new residence. Madeira is our yearly vacation destination and we love the huge amount of classic cars. Yes, expensive but hey it’s your baby.

Oi! Alan, meu grande amigo!
Bom Dia. Tudo Bem?
Two Beauties! Well worth it!!
I am so Happy for you!
Indeed it was worth every single penny… No money can buy our babies.
Unfortunately, there are no longer cargo ships from Miami and/or New York to Funchal. No sea transport direct from USA to Madeira. Period.
There are cargo ships going to Porto and Lisbon from USA but it takes several months to reach Continental Portugal and thereafter to Madeira. It is a lengthy process due to the logistics but I am Super Happy you got your BABY. Under that thick beard there is a Happy MAN 🍆🥰😍🤩. And you got it on time for the Madeira Classic Auto Show….(Now you can wipe out your tears because you thought Buggy was not going to make it… It did!).
As you know, having a car is like having a second wife. The good thing they do not ask for diamonds!
Alan, do not sell your tools. Keep them. The house is coming next. My crystal ball is telling me that. Have a little faith. Madeira is now your home. You deserve it. The tools can become handy for an extra income (car mechanic) because you are still young and energetic. Just a thought.
Once again. Congratulations for another achievement.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us…
Forca! Saude!
Cheers
Tchau
Carl (Toronto, Canada)🥰😍😘

She's a beauty! Thank you for sharing your process.

thank you for sharing your experience transporting your baby blue buggy to Portugal.👍

was it worth it?
for that baby blue buggy buggy?
ABSOLUTELY😍

Some things go above monetary value / cost – clearly this is the case here w your VW 🥰.

So do I have this right (not car related) – before departing, get the baggage certificate sorted. Sort out personal items for storage and pass the baggage certificate to the movers. After the SEF appointment and registered as a resident then notify the movers to ship. Get this in wrong sequence then customs duties payable.