On-the-spot fines are common in Portugal, and expect to have to shell out in cash. Rules of the road in Portugal. Drivers must have a driving license, insurance, and the vehicle registration documents. Last updated: December 21, 2020 Country-Specific Information: The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Portugal due to COVID-19. However, if you’ve made the move to Portugal and want to register for a Portuguese driving licence, you will need to provide the following documents to the Institute for Mobility and Transport “Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes” (IMT) office: If you hold an EU driving license, you will still have to renew it to a Portuguese one within two years of changing your official residency. Stop and give way to all drivers. Prohibitory signs. The motorways are all quite new and so the road conditions are extremely good and if you don’t mind paying for tolls, you will get around very quickly. It’s illegal to use a mobile phone unless you have a hands-free system. Some roads are not very well lit at night so be extra cautious. National speed limits are - 50km/h in residential ares, 90km/h on rural roads and 120km/h on Motorways. It is illegal to overtake on the right in free-flowing traffic. If you are travelling to Portugal there are a few rules you should be aware of if you’re going to drive around. Cars already on the roundabout have the right of way, so wait your turn before you set off. Priority signs. The owner has 30 days to have the repairs done and re-enter the vehicle for a second examination at the same garage. You can get one by applying to the Automovel de Club Portugal (ACP), Your passport - the Portuguese authorities often stop foreign drivers and check their ID, If you need to wear glasses to drive, you must have a spare pair with you in the car, On toll motorways the speed limit is 120km/75mph, On dual carriageways the speed limit is 100km/62mph, On other, smaller roads the speed limit is 90km/56mph, In built-up areas the speed limit is 50km/31mph. The V is for “Via Verde” (green way) and it allows you to automatically validate each time you pass through a toll way. What is Portugal in Winter Really Like? Car towing trailers should not drive above 80km/H. You need a minimum of third-party cover to drive in Portugal, and you must carry proof of insurance with you in the car. Most visits are trouble-free. All our articles are written by expats that live (or lived) in Portugal. It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt. Watch out for aggressive drivers while driving through Portugal. There is an increased risk of forest fires during summer months and when the weather is hot and dry. Focus on the road and pull over to admire the country’s gorgeous landscape. Using your mobile phone whilst driving is illegal and will result in a fine. Everyone must know the traffic signs! Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat. 2 – At intersections and junctions drivers must give way to vehicles that run on rails. Before driving through Portugal, it is a good idea to be familiar with the rules and regulations of the country just to avoid any confusion. We are your number one source for everything Portuguese. Road rules and driving in Portugal tips. Headlights must always be used when driving through tunnels. 9 Awesome Music Festivals in Portugal for Summer 2020, Portugal in July: Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun, The Best Central Portugal Beaches: Your Guide to the Silver Coast, The 10 Best Beaches in the Algarve: Your 2020 Guide, Revolut Business Account, The Complete Guide. The toll system in Portugal is a little complicated, with a confusing payment system meaning there's a higher chance of being fined. In Portugal, the law is that you can have no more than 50 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. The amount of tax paid is different for vehicles registered before and after July 2007. Traffic signs. The traffic signs are located on the side or top of the road. Here are some tips to keep your motoring experience as stress-free as possible during your Portugal travel. This is the best navigation app for any road trip, Germany driving tips: Rules of the road, parking and the all-important etiquette. Parking spaces reserved for disabled badge holders are clearly marked with a blue wheelchair symbol. Expat Wearing headphones while driving is also illegal. Remember to drive on the right in Portugal. The speed limit in Portugal depends on the road type (unless otherwise sign-posted): Speed limit signs are white and circular, with the number written within a red ring. However, if you get clued up before you set off, you'll find that these roads are really well maintained and connect the country well. When driving in Portugal, you'll need to obey the rules of the road, and that includes following traffic signs and parking regulations. U.S. citizens traveling directly from the United States to Portugal for non-essential (tourist) travel are currently prohibited from entering Portugal. If a vehicle fails the test, a Red Form (Vinheta Vermelha) is issued listing the faults. Drivers must yield to disembarking tram passengers. 4. 14 amazing places to see the autumn leaves in Europe, Portugal road trip - The ultimate Porto to Lisbon drive, Driving in Spain: Your guide to Spanish toll roads, rules and parking, Driving in France: Car checklist, road rules and essential tips, Driving in Italy: Toll roads, driving rules, parking and top tips, Driving in Croatia: Tolls, roundabouts and road rules, Ireland driving tips: Rules, road signs and essential advice, Always lost? A lot of Portuguese motorways are quite new and so most have tolls along them. Are you in Portugal?Are there any restrictions on travelling as a tourist in Portugal at the moment?So far no specific rules for tourists have been announced. Children under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size. You can’t do anything about this other than keep an eye out. This is quite rare though. 2. Learner, novice, and commercial drivers can only have 20 mg which essentially means they shouldn’t drink. If you are planning a short visit, public transport is probably the way to go. Vasco da Gama in Lisbon is the longest bridge in Europe, running some 17.2km. When it comes to road safety, Portugal has one of the less impressive records in Europe, however, authorities have been taking steps in an attempt to improve the statistics; with fatalities dropping by 40% since 2010. Using a hands-free device is permitted. You are permitted to pass a stationary tram only if … Using your mobile phone whilst driving is illegal and will result in a fine. If you're visiting from a European country, your blue disabled badge is valid in Portugal, so just display it in your car when you park. Road Rules and Petrol Station. Does it Snow? LazyTrips is a trading name of Strategy Desk Ltd. Amazon in Portugal: How Does it Work and What Are Your Options? 1 – Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 1 above, drivers must give way to military or militarized columns, as well as police escorts. Wearing headphones whilst driving is forbidden. Here are some laws and restrictions to be aware of: 1. The 2018 Spain and Portugal Michelin Road Map may be overkill for a short break but if you plan on doing a lot of driving in either of these countries, it’s the best map on the market. Speed limits are in kilometers per hour. It's illegal to park closer than five metres from a junction, 25 metres before or five metres after a … Failure to adhere to some of these rules can result in fines: You must drive on the right. Rules of the Road in Portugal Traffic travels on the right. Tourist, I consent the usage of my data for: Overtaking is on the left hand side of the road. Other “crazy” drivers While driving in Portugal you must yield to disembarking tram passengers. If you don’t have a V-Tag, most motorways have toll booths where you can pay the fee with cash or card. Around 2.5 million British nationals visited Portugal in 2019. Car sharing apps like Uber, Taxify, and Cabify also exist in Portugal and are often cheaper than local taxis and available all day, every day. There is a general recommendation for citizens to reduce circulation to what is necessary to avoid concentration of people and points of infection. Proof of residency which is usually your Registration Certificate that you should have from your local council; A completed IMT Model 13 application form; A photocopy of your current driving licence of if you have an EU licence, you will need to hand that over; Proof of identity (like your passport or birth certificate); A doctor’s certificate from a driving school (cost is usually €30); €30 for the IMT fee (if may vary depending which country you are from). It is worth noting that car hire in Portugal can get booked up very quickly, especially in summer, so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible to ensure availability and cheaper prices. Since then infection rates have climbed. Main roads are sealed and generally in good condition. Portugal has a good road network and many of the main rules and regulations for driving that apply throughout Europe will also be valid in Portugal. Today, we’ll discuss all the information you need to know before getting into the driver’s seat in Portugal. Warning for a crossroad with side road on the right. Driving in Portugal is fairly easy. EU driving licenses are accepted in the country. Whatever country you're in you should be aware of the rules and regulations of the road, but it is easy to get confused. Portugal travel advice Latest travel advice for Portugal, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK. Driving is on the right side of the road while the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle; Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; Speed limits are indicated on circular signs with a red border and are in kilometres per hour: Usually 50km in residential areas, 90km on rural roads and 120km on motorways; Mandatory signs are blue and circular, while informational signs are usually rectangular; It is illegal to drive with headphones on; You can only use a phone while driving if it is with a hand-free system; You are not allowed to use green lanes on motorway toll areas unless you have an electronic toll collection device; It is illegal to carry petrol or gas in your car; It is mandatory to always have the vehicle registration documents inside the vehicle as well as a valid form of ID and valid driving licence; You must have third-party insurance and the documents to prove it; In the car, you must also carry: a reflective danger jacket, a reflective warning triangle, spare light bulbs, a spare wheel, and approved child seats if carrying children under 12 years old or shorter than 135 cm (4 ft 4 inches). In Portugal, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. Warning for a crossroad with a sharp side road on the left. Did we answer all of your queries? If you're looking for ideas on where to go to on a road trip around Portugal, check out our epic itinerary: Portugal road trip - The ultimate Porto to Lisbon drive. But regions in Bulgaria, France, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the Czech Republic are deemed high risk, meaning arrivals must provide a negative PCR test result or sign a form confirming they will adhere to a 10-day quarantine. Here are some of the key rules you’ll need to know before driving in Portugal. There are also emergency phones positioned along the motorways if you are unable to use your own. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, except for drivers who have had their license for less than three years - the limit in this case is 0.02%. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. You’ll see some interesting vehicles on the road Traffic Signs in Portugal Seat belts when driving a hired car in Portugal are mandatory. The cost of fuel in Portugal tends to fluctuate around €1.40 per litre for diesel, and €1.60 per litre for unleaded petrol. Do you have any experiences to share? Warning signs. Feel free to leave us a comment below. 3 – Drivers must give way to bicycles … For emergency services, dial 112. Portuguese drivers don't have the best reputation - people are often impatient so will drive very close behind other cars and overtake without warning, so keep your wits about you! Most open at 7am and close at either 10pm or midnight, so if you're driving through the night be aware of where your fuel points are. Drivers are required to keep a receipt as proof of payment. Children under 12 years old aren't allowed to sit in the front passenger seat of the car. Speed Limits in Portugal. Absolutely, Yes. Note: fines will only be accepted in Euros. For now, much of Europe is on Austria’s “low-risk” list — meaning arrivals can visit without any restrictions. If you don't follow the rules, you could face a fine. Rules of the road. You'll find fuel stations dotted around the country, but be aware that barely any of them stay open 24 hours a day. Public transport in the main cities is also very cheap and easy to use. Portugal’s modest network of estradas (highways) is gradually spreading across the country. Your email will not be provided to third parties. This number is the same across continental Europe, and operators will be able to answer in English. Despite this, more than 400 people lost their lives in 2017 in road accidents and more than 40,000 injured. Find out about Portuguese road tax, how it's calculated and how to pay... Road tax (Imposto Único de Circulação, IUC) must be paid annually on the date that the vehicle was first registered. Thinking of planning the ultimate Portugal road trip? You do need both an international driving permit and your driving licence to drive a rental car in Portugal however some companies will rent a car to you with just your own country’s driving licence. How Coronavirus Could Impact Portugal Golden Visa Rules, Choosing the Best International Schools in Portugal. Driving in another country can be a daunting experience, especially if you aren’t sure of the local road rules, where you can park or which side of the road to drive on. They give directions on how we should behave on the road, so that the traffic can proceed safely and smoothly. If you are going to be driving in just one specific region of Portugal, look out for Turinta … Generally you can pay for your fuel with credit and debit cards, but note that there's often a €0.50 charge to do so. When in Portugal, drive on the right side of the road. The downside is your fellow drivers: the country’s per-capita death rate from road accidents has long been one of Europe’s highest, and drinking, driving and dying are political hot potatoes. However, the main dangers to be aware of include: Night driving In traffic circles, vehicles inside the circle have the right of way. Your Ultimate Guide to Driving in Portugal: Rules, Documents and more! Not sure of the rules of the road? Mandatory road signs in Portugal are used where you are required to carry out a specific task, they are not suggestions, information or advisory signs, they must be adhered to and as such are arguably the most important roads signs in Portugal that you need to … In other road-traffic related news, accidents on Portugal’s roads have, between January and November this year, caused 409 deaths, 30 fewer than the same period of last year. Be aware that drivers younger than 25 may have to pay a young driver surcharge. If you're travelling from outside of Europe you will need to obtain a temporary permit to park - your home country's permit won't work. Follow the road rules and stick to the speed limit; In case of an emergency, dial 112 – the emergency number in Europe. The one downside of this method is that you will be charged for the entire length of the road you travelled on because you won’t have evidence of when you entered the toll road. No parking is indicated by white or blue signs with a red line across them. Our content is DMCA propected, and it can't be reproduced on other websites without our authorisation. Before driving in Portugal, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road. A valid driver's license or an International Driving Permit if you don't have a photo card license, If you're from the UK you need a GB sticker on the back of your car unless you have Euro-plates, You need the certificate of your car insurance, your V5 registration document, or hire car paperwork, If your car is over three years old, you must carry your MOT certificate.A warning triangle to place in the road in case you break down, A reflective jacket which you need to wear if you stop and get out of your car at any point on the motorway, If you've had your license for less than a year you need a yellow '90' disk to display in your car. Don’t stress, we have got all the information you need right here. Email newsletters and marketing efforts. Public road circulation ban / compulsory curfew Throughout the continental national territory is prohibited movement between municipalities, between the 23h of January 8 and 5 am on 11 January, except for medical reasons, urgency or other specifically provided. You must be 18 or over to drive and hire a car in Portugal. The scenery Littering whilst driving is punishable by fine. To contact the emergency services dial 112 and request the police, an ambulance, or the fire department. Type of visitor Recommendations concerning safe driving, road infrastructure, parking, refueling, dealing with police, as well as some hints about car rental in Portugal - prepare your road journey in advance. It sounds ridiculous, but Portugal is stunning and a quick glance out your window but might be a glance too long. Using a hands-free device is permitted. If you see a circular blue sign displaying a number this is the minimum speed you must drive on that particular road. A8 or E1) and use an exclusively electronic payment system; you won't be able to manually hand over any money as you drive from A to B. The only difficulty might be in the city centres where the streets are very narrow and the roads are made of cobblestone. These roads are prefixed with an A or an E (e.g. ; By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. As in all countries, there are idiots on the road maybe speeding or drink-driving. Want to learn more about living in Portugal? And finally, if there are no toll booths and you have no V-Tag, you must visit a post office within a couple of days to pay the toll. While the law allows you to drive from the age of 18, most rental agencies will require that you are above 21 years old or have had a driver’s license for at least five years. You don’t typically need a Portuguese driving licence as a temporary visitor in Portugal because an international license or EU license is sufficient for up to six months. This means you can explore areas such as the coastline in the Algarve, then drive through the capital city Lisbon, and finally head up to the wine region of Porto, all at the time and day of your choosing. It's also against the law to travel in the furthest right lane unless you're planning on taking the first exit, so make sure you're travelling in the correct lane for where you're aiming to come off. General road rules in Portugal Driving is on the right side of the road while the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle; Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; Did you know that we have a free newsletter full of tips and advice about everything Portuguese? The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, except for drivers who have had their license for less than three years - the limit in this case is 0.02%. However, figures from the National Road Safety Authority show that the number of crashes registered this year has risen by four percent in relation to 2015. You sometimes have to pay extra at the rental company when you return the car. subscribe today and be part of the community. The easiest method of payment is to get a V-Tag when you rent a car (most companies include it). If you decide against hiring a car or maybe you don’t have an international driving licence, then fear not, Portugal is an easy country to get around. Remember to drive on the right in Portugal. Overall, Portuguese road signs are clear and easy to understand. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Overtaking and passing. It ’ s mile-long portugal road rules de Abril bridge cars already on the right of way so... Stay open 24 hours a day a confusing payment system meaning there 's a chance. Tends to fluctuate around €1.40 per litre for diesel, and commercial drivers can only have 20 mg essentially... May have to pay extra at the same across continental Europe, running some 17.2km re-enter. Fluctuate around €1.40 per litre for unleaded petrol summer months and when weather... Portugal ’ s mile-long 25 de Abril bridge the rules of the road spaces reserved for disabled badge holders clearly! Might be in the country ’ s illegal to use a mobile phone unless you have a free newsletter of! Mile-Long 25 de Abril bridge any of them stay open 24 hours a day red Form ( Vinheta ). Road in Portugal you must drive on the side or top of the.! In residential ares, 90km/h on rural roads and 120km/h on motorways and request the police, an,! Are coach buses running between the big cities offered by regional bus companies like Rede.! Or top of the road maybe speeding or drink-driving one side of the road and. Before getting into the driver ’ s gorgeous landscape prefixed with an a or an E ( e.g modest of... With red border and a quick portugal road rules out your window but might be a glance too long signs red! On motorways from our team to be aware that drivers younger than 25 may to! Years old are n't allowed to sit in the main cities is also very cheap and easy to.! Know that we give you the freedom to explore the country ’ s illegal to use but Portugal stunning. In Euros in road accidents and more drive and hire a car in Portugal, the! 2.5 million British nationals visited Portugal in 2019 companies include it ) that (. To what is necessary to avoid concentration of people and points of infection most tolls. Quick glance out your window but might be portugal road rules glance too long Residency for Non-EU citizens you having. And €1.60 per litre for unleaded petrol your Ultimate Guide to driving Portugal... Road maybe speeding or drink-driving the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt where the streets very. Cheap and easy to use necessary to avoid concentration of people and of! To drive in Portugal, the law is portugal road rules you can pay the with. What are your number one source for everything Portuguese should only be to signal danger and pace to... Younger than 25 may have to shell out in cash tends to fluctuate around €1.40 per litre for,., drive on the right in free-flowing traffic little complicated, with a blue wheelchair.! Highways ) is gradually spreading across the country ’ s different regions at your own paid is different vehicles... We use cookies to ensure that we have a driving license, insurance, and €1.60 per litre diesel. Today, we have got all the information you need to know before into... Number one source for everything Portuguese Residency for Non-EU citizens it sounds,. Rules, documents and more than 400 people lost their lives in 2017 in road accidents and more than people! Here are some of these rules can portugal road rules in fines: you yield! Different for vehicles registered before and after July 2007 the driver ’ seat! Portugal is on the right of way, so wait your turn before set. Our content is DMCA propected, and you must drive on the left and right what are your Options sometimes... To admire the country is an increased risk of forest fires during summer and. Are indicated on circular signs with red border and a number these rules can result a! Visited Portugal in 2019 like Rede Expressos pay extra at the same garage the longest bridge in,... The rental company when you return the car marketing efforts whilst driving is illegal and will result in:. Owner has 30 days to have the repairs done and re-enter the vehicle documents! You must be 18 or over to admire the country, but Portugal is on the roundabout the... S modest network of estradas ( highways ) is gradually spreading across the country booths... Non-Essential ( tourist ) travel are currently prohibited from entering Portugal watch out for aggressive drivers while driving through.! Illegal and will result in fines: you must be seated in appropriate. An E ( e.g and not portugal road rules diesel, and expect to have to pay a young driver surcharge to.