Driving in Portugal: what you need to know as a foreigner
Driving in Portugal can be a great way to explore the country – but it’s important to get familiar with the rules before you jump on the road. This guide will give you an overview of what you need to know about driving in Portugal as a foreigner.
Driving in Portugal is not a scary thing at all, and we are here to show you how. We have been to Portugal multiple times and have rented a car during most of our trips. We have put together all the information you need to make sure your road trip goes smoothly and safely. Let’s jump into it!
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Need to rent a car in Portugal?
We always use Discover Cars for hiring our cars abroad, whether in Portugal or anywhere else. They are the best price aggregator platform out there and allow you to find the best deals, including local and international providers!
Driving in Portugal as a tourist: General guidelines
In our opinion, renting a car and driving through Portugal is one of the best ways of exploring the country. It will give you the freedom to make your own itinerary and find hidden gems – trust me, Portugal is filled with those.
Before you hop behind the wheel and start driving around Portugal, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws and regulations. Here are a few general guidelines about driving in Portugal that may come in handy:
- In Portugal, you should drive on the right-hand side of the road
- The minimum driving age in Portugal is 18 years old, but some car rental companies may charge a “young driver” fee if you are between 18-25 years old
- You do not need a green card to drive in Portugal
- The alcohol limit for driving in Portugal is 0.5 g/l (similar to most other European countries)
- Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers
- Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal and subject to a fine of up to € 600
Documents needed for driving in Portugal as a foreigner
In order to drive in Portugal, you will need:
- A valid driver’s license (accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP) in some cases)
- Valid ID document (for foreigners, it is usually the passport)
- Car registration documents
- Vehicle insurance
For tourists, the car documents and insurance will be provided by the car rental company. We strongly recommend double-checking everything to make sure to check everything is ok before you drive out of their office.
We always rent cars during our trip using Discover Cars. Check their website for the best deals.
Read also: Renting a car in Portugal
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Do you need an International Driving Permit for driving in Portugal?
It depends on the country that issued your original driving license. Americans, British, and EU nationals do not need an International Driving Permit to drive in Portugal.
However, if you have a driving license issued by another country, the rules may be different. We recommend checking the local authorities for the specific rules that apply to your case.
Pro tip: Make sure you get familiar with the documents required before your trip, so you have enough time to make an IDP if needed. It is the driver’s responsibility to carry the required documents at all times. The car rental company is not responsible for this, and they may not ask to see your IDP even if you need one.
Speed limits for driving in Portugal
The highway speed limit in Portugal is 120 km/h, which is the highest limit in the country. Be sure to follow the posted speed limits for safety and to avoid any penalties if caught by police.
Here is a general speed guide to help you when driving in Portugal:
Driving in Portugal: Road conditions
Portugal has great highways connecting the main cities and regions of the country. Driving through the highways is easy and stress-free. The roads are in good condition and they are very well-signaled.
The picture may change quite some once you go towards the countryside and smaller cities. Local roads may take you on a narrow and winding path, with less maintenance than the main roads. This is quite normal throughout Europe and if you are used to driving in other European countries, not something to worry about.
One thing that is worth mentioning is driving in the city center of the main cities like Porto or Lisbon. Even though the road conditions are mostly good, the traffic can get very intense and hectic.
I personally do not recommend driving in Lisbon or Porto if you can avoid it. Both cities can be easily explored on foot and a car will only give you the trouble of having to deal with traffic and parking.
Roundabout rules in Portugal
Roundabouts are a common feature in Portugal and other European countries (which can be stressful for American drivers especially who are often not used to them). Here are the basic rules on how to use the roundabouts in Portugal:
- When approaching, always stay to the right side of the roundabout and yield to vehicles already in the roundabout.
- As you enter, merge into the left lane of traffic and stay in that lane until your exit.
- Signal intention to exit before leaving the roundabout.
- If you are unsure of your exit, it is not a problem to do another round and exit on the second time.
- Don’t ever stop in the middle of a roundabout.
Driving in Portugal: Highways & Tolls
Most highways in Portugal have tolls. The toll prices are on average more affordable than those in the US, but they can add up quite quickly if you are doing a road trip through the country.
There are two different types of toll-charging systems in Portugal:
- Regular toll barriers work in a closed system – you pick up the slip when you enter the highway and pay for the distance you traveled when you exit. Payment can be made in cash, card, or automatically with the Via Verde card
- Automatic toll charging – these are iron gateway structures built along the road that will automatically detect the vehicle passing through and apply the charge. If you are driving a foreign car in Portugal (for example, if you will be coming with your vehicle from the UK or another destination in Europe), make sure you register for an automated payment before you get to any highway that uses the automatic toll system. There are a few different payment options available, you can read more about them here.
Parking your vehicle in Portugal
Dealing with parking in a foreign country is usually one of the most annoying parts of renting a car.
There are public parking places in every city, but they may be harder to find in busier locations such as the center of Lisbon. Public parking in Portugal is payable through a parking meter, which normally accepts coins or cards.
If you have the Via Verde toll in your vehicle, you can use that to pay for parking in some places.
The parking places in Lisbon are color-coded between green, yellow, and red based on the availability and hourly price. Green parking places are the cheapest and easiest to find. Yellow slots are slightly more extensive and a bit less available. The red ones are the most expensive and also hard to find.
Pro tip: If you will be staying in the city center of Lisbon or Porto, I strongly recommend arranging accommodation with parking included.
If you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with public parking in Portugal, you can also opt for leaving your car in a private garage. There are many of them scattered throughout the main Portuguese cities.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Final verdict: Is it worth driving in Portugal?
Yes, driving in Portugal is definitely worth it! Portugal is one of those countries that is full of hidden gems that are very hard to access if you do not have your own vehicle to explore – especially on the coast!
Also, if you will be visiting during the low season, you will be able to find great car rental deals to make your driving trip through Portugal even more affordable.
Read also:
FAQ: Popular questions about driving in Portugal as a tourist
Is driving in Portugal difficult?
Generally speaking, driving in Portugal is not difficult, provided that you follow the traffic regulations and drive safely. Through all our travels, we have found that most main roads are well-maintained and easy to navigate, although the smaller, rural roads may have more potholes or curves.
Depending on where you come from, some of the driving rules in Portugal may be different from what you are used to, but all you need to do is be mindful of them. The Portuguese roads are generally well-signaled, which makes things quite easier.
If you will be coming from the UK and are not used to driving on the right side of the road, it may be good for you to get some practice on smaller streets before heading into a busy city such as Lisbon or Porto.
Is it hard for Americans to drive in Portugal?
There are a few things that Americans will have to get used to when driving in Portugal, the main of which are the roundabouts, which are not so common in the US. Another thing that Americans tend to mention often are motorcycles. They usually don’t go on the highways but if you will be driving within the larger cities, you will definitely encounter them everywhere.
In any case, none of these things are too problematic, it just takes a bit of getting used to. The best tip we can give for Americans driving in Portugal is to make sure you get familiar with the route you will be driving (know the rules that apply, if you will pass a toll, etc), and respect the signs.
General tips for Americans driving in Portugal
- Respect the speed limits (even if the locals don’t seem to respect it themselves)
- Give way if someone flashes their lights at you when driving on the left on a highway
- If you are not overpassing or going fast, keep right on the highways
- Be careful at roundabouts – take your time and make sure you do the movements right, signaling before you exit
- Be mindful about the motorcycles, especially when driving in larger cities
- Prepare for the toll if you will be driving on a highway or other paid road
How do you get around Portugal without a car?
If you’d prefer not to drive in Portugal, there are other options.
Public transportation is available throughout the country, with buses and trains running regularly between major cities and towns. You can use Omio to check the options of buses and trains available.
Taxis are also an option, but we only recommend using them for traveling between two places within the same city, otherwise, you will pay a fortune for a ride. We normally use Uber in Lisbon or Porto, but smaller towns such as Evora only have local taxi providers.
The last option is to book a tour! We recommend using the GetYourGuide platform to find the best tours available in Portugal and booking the ones you like the most. You will find options for day tours or shorter attractions, depending on what you are looking for.
Can I drive in Portugal with a paper license?
Yes, you can drive in Portugal with a paper license, as long as it has a photo. If your paper license does not have a photo, you may need to issue an International Driving Permit – we recommend checking with your local authorities, as it will depend on your nationality.
What do I need to drive in Spain and Portugal?
To drive in both Spain and Portugal, you will need a valid driver’s license, car registration documents, and insurance papers. You will also need to have your passport or another valid ID document with a photo with you at all times.
It is not uncommon for foreign or rental vehicles to be stopped by the local police in Portugal. We were already stopped a couple of times. In most cases, they target these cars to make sure that you have all the documents with you when driving as a foreigner in Portugal.
Can you turn right on a red light in Portugal?
No, you cannot turn right on a red light in Portugal, unless it is indicated otherwise. It is illegal to do so and could result in a fine if caught by police.
Where to buy a toll card in Portugal?
You can buy a Portuguese toll card online at the CTT website (the Portuguese postal company), at some post offices, or at some supermarkets.
Your toll card will give you a certain amount of credits and you can use that to pay for the tolls on the way. There are several options of toll cards you can choose from.
Can you avoid toll roads in Portugal?
Yes, you can avoid toll roads in Portugal by taking alternative routes. In fact, most local Portuguese drivers tend to avoid toll roads when driving long distances (even though the toll prices are not expensive when compared to the US or other European countries such as Italy).
To avoid toll roads when driving in Portugal, you can use the Google Maps settings to give you only routes that do not include toll roads. However, the alternative route will always be longer as it goes through local roads which have lower speed limits and often pass by small villages.
We hope this article has helped clear some of your questions regarding driving in Portugal as a foreign tourist. We have been at your place multiple times, during different trips, so we truly know what it feels like.
I truly believe Portugal is one of the most beautiful countries to drive through, so I hope you hop on this journey!
Read our other driving guides
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Portugal, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Portugal on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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