Driving in Portugal from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to Portugal? You need:
- A way to pay electronic tolls, set up as you arrive Many motorways have no booths. See below
- A UK sticker, unless your number plate shows "UK" with the Union flag GB stickers are no longer valid: remove or cover them
- Your photocard driving licence, logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Still have an old paper licence? You need an international driving permit (£5.50 at a PayPoint) Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate instead of the logbook
- A passport for everyone in the car See the passport rules for Portugal below
- A hi-vis vest and a warning triangle Both are compulsory: €60 to €300 for each one missing
- Headlights set for driving on the right, so they don't dazzle oncoming drivers Many newer cars do this from a setting in the car's menu (check your handbook). Others need beam deflector stickers
- A card or cash to pay any fine on the spot
🛂 Your border check happens before Portugal
Driving through France and Spain? You enter the Schengen area when you cross the Channel, so your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints, at Dover, Folkestone or your arrival port. On the ferry to Santander or Bilbao, it happens when you arrive in Spain. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave.
Check your passport for Portugal →Tolls: electronic-only motorways
Portugal has two kinds of toll motorway: ones with normal toll booths (pay by cash or card), and electronic-only ones, where cameras read your number plate and there's nowhere to pay. For those, a UK car needs one of these, set up before you use them:
Electronic-only motorways include the A33, A17, A25, A29, A4, A41, A42, A8, A19, A28, A21, A7, A11 and A16. EasyToll and Tollcard don't cover the two Lisbon bridges (25 de Abril and Vasco da Gama), which have their own toll booths.
Speed limits in Portugal
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Motorways | 120 km/h≈ 75 mph |
| Expressways | 100 km/h≈ 62 mph |
| Roads outside towns | 90 km/h≈ 56 mph |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h≈ 31 mph |
The minimum speed on motorways is 50 km/h. Speeding fines start at €60 and go up to €2,500 for very high speeds.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
💶 Pay fines on the spot
Police fines must be paid straight away or within 48 hours, or you pay a deposit. If you don't, police can take your licence or the car's documents.
🍷 Drink-drive limit
0.5 g/l, or 0.2 g/l in your first 3 years of driving. Over the limit is €250 to €1,250, and 1.2 g/l or more is a crime.
📵 No handheld phones
Holding a phone while driving is €250 to €1,250. A single earpiece or hands-free is allowed.
📡 Radar detectors banned
Carrying a radar detector is €500 to €2,500, and it will be taken.
👶 Child seats
Children under 12 and shorter than 135 cm must use a child seat in the back. Children under 3 can only sit in front in a rear-facing seat with the airbag off.
🚇 Tunnels
Dipped headlights must be on in signed tunnels during the day.
Wildfires
From April to October there's a risk of wildfires, and roads can be closed at short notice. Check local news and follow police instructions.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire.
- Wear your hi-vis vest when you're on the road.
- Place the warning triangle at least 30 m behind the car, where it can be seen from 100 m away.
Hiring a car in Portugal instead
- Hire companies in Portugal must fit a toll device, so tolls are charged to you through the hire company: agree how when you collect the car.
- Hire companies may ask for an international driving permit, so check first.
- They may ask for a DVLA licence check code. Get one on GOV.UK shortly before you collect the car: it's only valid for 21 days.
FAQs
How do I pay tolls in Portugal with a UK car?
Some motorways have normal toll booths, but many are electronic only, with cameras and no booths. For those, set up EasyToll (link a card to your number plate at an EasyToll station near the border, €1 plus €0.32 per trip), buy a prepaid Tollcard, or use Go Toll or Via Verde. Without one, you can be fined at least €25 for each unpaid toll.
Which motorways in Portugal are electronic-only?
Including the A33, A17, A25, A29, A4, A41, A42, A8, A19, A28, A21, A7, A11 and A16. They're marked "Electronic toll only" or "Exclusivamente electrónico".
Do I need a vest and triangle in Portugal?
Yes, both are compulsory. If you break down, wear the vest on the road and place the triangle at least 30 m behind the car. A missing item is a €60 to €300 fine.
Do I have to pay fines on the spot in Portugal?
You must pay straight away or within 48 hours, or pay a deposit equal to the minimum fine. If you don't, police can take your licence or the car's documents.
What is the drink-drive limit in Portugal?
0.5 g/l, or 0.2 g/l for drivers in their first 3 years and professional drivers. Over the limit starts at €250.
How long can I drive my UK car in Portugal?
Up to 183 days in any 12 months, for tourism. A UK photocard licence is valid for up to 185 days without an international driving permit.
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
- GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice, road travel · International driving permits · UK stickers · Insurance abroad
- Portugal: Tolls for foreign cars (Infraestruturas de Portugal) · Toll FAQ and fines · Pay a missed toll · Paying fines (ANSR) · Road offences (ANSR) · Highway Code (Código da Estrada)
- EU: Your Europe: road rules in Portugal