Driving in Portugal


Cristo-Rei (english translation: Christ the King) is a Catholic monument overlooking Lisbon, capital of Portugal. "On the Spot" Traffic Fines are now applied. Police may demand immediate payment either in cash or using a Credit Card. You're likely to find that the police patrol cars have portable debit or credit card equipment on board. If you're unable to pay, the police have the right to seize your driving documents and, depending on the nature of the offence, possibly even the vehicle itself.

National or international driving permit

Visitors may drive using their national license, as long as it's in a language that uses the Roman alphabet. If your license uses a different alphabet then you'll need an International Driving Permit in English (you can get these through motoring organisations such as AA, AAA, RAC, etc.). All other driving licenses are acceptable.

Types of roads

Portuguese roads have been reclassified since the World Expo in Lisbon in 1998 and the European Cup Football Championships in 2004. The aim is to make them easier to understand and more consistent across the country. Many signposts and maps have been updated in the past decade. However, be aware that there may remain some instances where the road may have two names and maps may be out of date.

  • The motorway network is the Auto-estrada; road signs are blue
  • The regional road signs are white with black lettering

Motorway tolls

The national symbol of Portugal - the rooster (galode barcelos), symbolizes honesty, integrity, trust and honor. The main motorways (Vigo-Porto, Porto-Lisbon, Lisbon-Algarve and Lisbon-Badajoz in Spain) are toll roads. Euros and major credit cards are accepted as payment - and there are decent service areas. A toll fee (Portagem) is charged on most motorways, paid at the toll booths (Portagens).

Each motorway is run by one of several major private companies and has its own pricing structure, so tolls vary. A ticket is taken from the Portagem at the start of the route and handed over at the toll booth where the payment is made at the end of the stretch of motorway.

Penalty for the length of the entire motorway stretch

Frequent users can use the Via Verde (Green Route) system which allows drivers to pay monthly using the Multibanco. An electronic device automatically registers the vehicle when it passes through the tolls and calculates the mileage and cost accordingly. The Via Verde system also offers savings and priority passage at the toll points.

Via Verde

Port wine (also known as Vinho do Porto, Oporto, Porto, and often simply Port) is a Portuguese fortified wine from the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. Do not misinterpret the green Via Verde signs at toll booths on motorways. This does not mean that you can drive straight through unless you subscribe to the Via Verde system. If you get to the end of your journey without a valid toll ticket you will be penalised by a fine and have to pay the length of the entire motorway stretch and not just the section you have driven on!

Be sure to go through a ticket booth lane.



The data above is based on information by the Portugese government and public sources. No rights can be derived from this publication.





This page on traffic penalties and fines in Portugal is about Portuguese speed limit violations, cheque, stolen car, offence, sanction, home address, euro zone.