Motorcycle – built-up areas: 50 km/h
Motorcycle – outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
Motorcycle – expressways: 100 km/h
Motorcycle – motorways: 120 km/h
Car – built-up areas: 50 km/h
Car – outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
Car – expressways: 100 km/h
Car – motorways: 120 km/h
Car with trailer – built-up areas: 50 km/h
Car with trailer – outside built-up areas: 70 km/h
Car with trailer – expressways: 80 km/h
Car with trailer – motorways: 100 km/h
Lorry over 3.5 t – built-up areas: 50 km/h
Lorry over 3.5 t – outside built-up areas: 80 km/h
Lorry over 3.5 t – expressways: 80 km/h
Lorry over 3.5 t – motorways: 90 km/h
Bus – built-up areas: 50 km/h
Bus – outside built-up areas: 80 km/h
Bus – expressways: 90 km/h
Bus – motorways: 100 km/h
Country identification code: P
Alcohol – experienced drivers: 0.5 ‰
Alcohol – young and novice drivers: 0.2 ‰ (licence held for less than 3 years)
Alcohol – professional drivers: 0.2 ‰
Lights during the day: no general requirement in the sources
Mobile phone while driving: hands-free kit only
Winter tyres: not compulsory
Road charges: toll booths and electronic gantries (no barriers); some sections free since 2025
Driving side: right-hand traffic
Key points for young drivers:
- Motorway 120 km/h, expressways 100, outside built-up areas 90.
- Alcohol: 0.2 ‰ if you’ve held your licence for less than 3 years.
- In the car: high-visibility vest and warning triangle.
- Tolls: toll booths (avoid the Via Verde lane) and electronic-toll-only roads – EasyToll or TollCard.
- The police check insurance strictly – without a valid policy the car is held.
Seat belts and child seats
Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers. Children travel in a child seat suited to their height and weight.
Traffic lights
Almost the same as in most EU countries. A green arrow below a red light lets you turn, but you must stop first and not get in the way of other traffic.
Helmet compulsory
- motorcycle (also with a sidecar)
- moped
- three- and four-wheelers
Compulsory equipment in the car
- high-visibility vest
- warning triangle
Compulsory equipment on a bike
No special requirements in the sources.
Winter tyres and snow chains
Winter tyres are not compulsory.
Phone, drugs and other bans
- Phone only with a hands-free kit; talking with the phone in your hand can get you a heavy fine.
- Drugs: banned substances include THC, methamphetamine, MDMA, opiates and cocaine.
Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones
There are no vignettes. There are two types of toll roads:
- motorways with toll booths – don’t drive into the Via Verde lane (only for cars with a transponder); not every card is accepted at the booths, so carry cash
- “electronic toll only” roads – no booths, tolls are collected by gantries; a car with foreign plates pays via EasyToll (a card linked to the number plate), TollCard or the Via Verde service – all explained at pttolls.com
Note: since 1 January 2025 roads that are free include the A22 (Algarve), A24, A25, part of the A28, the A23 Torres Novas–Abrantes and the Marão tunnel on the A4 – check before you travel at pttolls.com.
Documents and insurance
- Portugal recognises driving licences from EU/EEA countries and the third-party motor insurance of your EU-registered car – you don’t need a Green Card.
- The police check insurance strictly: without a valid policy you get a fine and the car is held until the matter is settled.
What to watch out for
- Drivers are very respectful of pedestrians – always stop before a pedestrian crossing.
- Don’t drive into the Via Verde lane at toll booths if you don’t have a transponder.
- On “electronic toll only” roads, pay before your trip or right after it (pttolls.com).
- Alcohol: if you’ve held your licence for less than 3 years, your limit is 0.2 ‰.
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