Driving through Portugal allows you to experience the country’s blend of vibrant cities and picturesque coastlines. Whether you are heading to the sun-soaked beaches of the Algarve or the bustling streets of Lisbon, becoming familiar with Portuguese road rules will make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. This handy guide provides essential information about key laws and requirements to help you drive in Portugal with confidence.

Emergency Services Telephone Number in Portugal

Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS telephone network and are installed at 2km intervals along motorways, IP (itinerários principais) and IC (itinerários complementares).  
112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you’re visiting. 
Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Portuguese Driving Licence Laws

To legally drive in Portugal, you must be over 18 years old and hold a full, valid driving licence.

Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. Internal driving permits are also recognised but are not required.

What You Cannot Bring Into Portugal

When travelling to Portugal, the following items are prohibited:

• Meat or products containing meat 
• Milk or dairy products 

Additionally, the following items may only be brought into Portugal if they are inspected and accompanied by a ‘phytosanitary certificate’ (fees apply):

• Fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians) 
• Vegetables 
• Plants 
• Plant products 

Documents You Need to Drive in Portugal

If you are a visitor using temporary import rules, you can bring a vehicle registered in another country into Portugal for up to 6 months a year, either consecutively or in separate periods. Vehicles with temporary registration can only stay in Portugal for up to 90 days.

To be safe, always carry:

• Full, valid UK driving licence 
• Proof of identity (ID card or passport) 
• Motor insurance certificate 
• V5 registration document 

Car hire companies will provide additional documents specific to your car – keep these handy during your travels.

Compulsory Equipment for Driving in Portugal

When driving in Portugal, you are also required by law to carry the following to avoid any fines:

• Reflective jackets: You must have one in your vehicle and wear it if you need to exit the vehicle onto a road. 
• Warning triangle: This is required unless your vehicle is registered in a country where warning triangles aren’t essential. 
• Headlamp beam deflectors: Depending on your car, you’ll need either deflector stickers or to manually adjust the headlamp beam. 

Portuguese Rules of the Road

Seat Belt Law in Portugal

If the car is equipped with seat belts, it is compulsory to wear them in both the front and rear seats.

The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is set between €120 and €600.

What side of the road do they drive on in Portugal?

In Portugal, you drive on the right-hand side of the road. If this is new to you it might be best to practice on quieter roads.

How to overtake in Portugal

When being overtaken, motorists should keep as far right as possible and not accelerate.

You may overtake a stationary tram but only if there is an island for passengers boarding and alighting.

On narrow streets, the vehicle closest to a passing place should move into it, reversing if needed. If both vehicles are equally close to a passing place, the smaller or lighter vehicle should pull in or reverse.

On a hill, the vehicle travelling uphill should give way to the one going down. In all circumstances, however, motor vehicles have priority over other vehicles.

Who has priority in Portugal?

Unless indicated, priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right.

Emergency and military vehicles always have priority over other road users.

If it is likely that you will be unable to leave an intersection without blocking any traffic then you must not enter the intersection.

Using your horn in Portugal

Sounding the horn should only be done in moderation.

Sounding the horn is not allowed during hours of darkness in urban areas – unless it is an emergency. If you need to warn other road users, flash your lights.

In rural areas, horns can be used whenever required for road safety, when visibility is compromised and before overtaking another road user.

Traffic light system

The international three-colour traffic light system is used in France. However, there is no amber light after the red light and a flashing amber light is the signal for ‘caution’.

A flashing or constant red light indicates ‘stop’ and is used near level crossings as well as giving a warning of an obstacle.

What are the speed limits in Portugal?

Portugal uses the metric system for all road signs. This means that speed limits and other road signs that feature distance are indicated using kilometres and metres.

These are the speed limits:

• In built-up areas: 50km/h (unless otherwise indicated by local signs) 
• Outside built-up areas: 90km/h – 100 km/h (unless otherwise indicated by local signs) 
• Motorways: 120km/h 

Please note that if you are driving over the 25 de Abril bridge over the River Tagus you must keep to a speed between 40km/h and 60km/h.

Portuguese Speeding Fines

Portuguese speeding fines range from €60 to €2,500 depending on the speed at which you are caught driving, as well as the road on which you are driving.

Are speed camera detectors allowed in Portugal?

Portuguese law prohibits any device that actively searches for mobile speed cameras or interferes with police transmissions. If you are caught using any speed camera detector, you could face a fine of up to €2,500.

Travelling with Children in Portugal

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 are wearing a seat belt and are appropriately restrained.

Child Car Seat Rules in Portugal

All children under 12 years old and under 1.35m, travelling in a car fitted with seatbelts, must travel in the rear seats with an appropriate child restraint system that is adapted to their size and weight.

This is always the case, unless:

• The car only has two seats, or it does not have seatbelts 
• You have a child under three who can travel in the front seat equipped with a rear-facing child restraint system. If this is the case, you must deactivate the airbag 

Portuguese Penalties and Fines

On-the-spot Fines

Police can give on-the-spot fines to drivers of foreign-registered cars and will give receipts. Most police cars are equipped with portable ATMs so you can pay them immediately.

Minimum and Maximum Fines in Portugal

Fines range from €30 for unauthorised parking all the way up to €2,500 for offences including a radar detector and driving under the influence of drugs.

Some motoring offences are considered criminal. If you are found guilty of any of them it can lead to a licence revocation, vehicle confiscation and potentially, a prison sentence.

Vehicle Confiscation

A vehicle can be confiscated for several reasons including when a driver:

• Has tested positive for being under the influence of alcohol 
• Has no registration documents 
• Has forged number plates 
• Refuses to pay a fine 

Parking in Portugal

Parking Regulations

When parking your car, you must park it facing the same direction as traffic on that side of the road, unless local signage says otherwise.

Parking in the following areas is prohibited:

• Within 5 metres of intersections and bends with limited visibility 
• On pedestrian crossings 
• Within 3m of tram stops 
• Within 10m of other public passenger stops 
• In spaces reserved for taxis 
• Opposite vehicle entrances to buildings 
• On bridges and level crossings 
• In tunnels 
• Where visibility is limited 
• Within 20m of intersections 
• At night on carriageways 

Paid Parking

In the main towns and cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Albufeira, parking is quite limited and is subject to fees. Please check local signs before you leave your car.

Enforcement of Parking Regulations

If you have parked your car illegally it is likely to be clamped. If it is causing an obstruction to moving traffic, it may be towed away. In both instances, a fine must be paid to cover the offence as well as any towing or impounding costs.

Disabled Parking Access

All disabled permits that are issued in the EU should be recognised in Portugal.

Time limits still apply – blue badge holders must not exceed the times as set out in the parking bays.

Toll Roads in Portugal

The amount of the toll will depend on the length of the road as well as the area you are driving in. 
You can pay for tolls both electronically and manually however on certain motorways only electronic payments are accepted – so please make sure you check. Otherwise, you will be able to pay by cash, credit cards or pre-paid cards.

If you plan to use toll roads regularly, it might be worth signing up to the Via Verde scheme. This takes you through the fast lane as you will not have to stop and pay. You attach a magnetic card to your windscreen and it automatically works at toll booths.

There is another system in Portugal in place called EasyToll which is easier for visiting motorists. You enter your card details at the border point and you’ll have a photo taken of your registration plate. The system will then deduct a toll payment every time your registered vehicle passes a toll gate.

Alcohol Limits

Legal Limit

The limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05%.

Random Breath Test

If you are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you can be made to undergo a breath test for alcohol or a saliva test for drugs. Following a collision, all road users and pedestrians will be made to take a breath test.

Fuel

You can find automatic petrol pumps in large towns. Unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are available at service stations throughout the country.

If you want to fill your car with diesel then you should look for a pump labelled ‘gasóleo’.

If you need unleaded petrol then the pump reading ‘gasolina sem chumbo’ will be what you need. 
Portugal also has different types of clean fuel available like biodiesel 10 and public electric charging points.

Check the price of fuel before you leave.

Hiring a Car in Portugal

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Portugal. However, it’s still worth reviewing to make sure you are as prepared as possible.

For drivers of rented vehicles, here at the most important things to know:

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 25 years old to hire a car. Age requirements may vary depending on the type of vehicle. 
• Driving Licence: A full, valid UK driving licence is required, along with a second form of ID, such as a passport. 
• Licence Duration: Most rental companies require you to have held your licence for at least 1 year. 
• Deposit Requirements: A credit card may be needed to cover the deposit so make sure to check this before you arrive. 
• Travel Restrictions: Planning to drive outside of Portugal? Confirm with your rental company beforehand as this may not always be allowed. 
• Excess Insurance: Protect yourself from unexpected costs with car rental excess insurance. It is more affordable to arrange this in advance with a third-party insurer like Cover4Rentals, rather than directly with the rental company. 

To make sure your car hire experience in Portugal is hassle-free, it is important to stay informed and prepared.

Bumps and scrapes can happen to even the most careful of drivers. By purchasing car hire excess insurance, you can have total peace of mind. If you accidentally damage the rental car, simply pay the excess to the rental company and claim it back through us – it is that straightforward!

Familiarise yourself with Portugal’s driving rules and ensure you have adequate insurance coverage before hitting the road. This preparation allows you to focus on what truly matters during your trip: exploring Portugal and creating amazing memories.