If you see a circular blue sign displaying a number this is the minimum speed you must drive on that particular road. 1 – Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 1 above, drivers must give way to military or militarized columns, as well as police escorts. If you are travelling to Portugal there are a few rules you should be aware of if you’re going to drive around. EU driving licenses are accepted in the country. It is illegal to overtake on the right in free-flowing traffic. If you don't follow the rules, you could face a fine. Wearing headphones whilst driving is forbidden. 3. ; By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Driving gives you the freedom to explore the country’s different regions at your own leisure and pace. Proof of residency which is usually your Registration Certificate that you should have from your local council; A completed IMT Model 13 application form; A photocopy of your current driving licence of if you have an EU licence, you will need to hand that over; Proof of identity (like your passport or birth certificate); A doctor’s certificate from a driving school (cost is usually €30); €30 for the IMT fee (if may vary depending which country you are from). You must be 18 or over to drive and hire a car in Portugal. Traffic Signs in Portugal However, if you get clued up before you set off, you'll find that these roads are really well maintained and connect the country well. Remember to drive on the right in Portugal. Traffic signs. It’s illegal to run out of petrol when crossing Lisbon’s mile-long 25 de Abril bridge. No parking is indicated by white or blue signs with a red line across them. Warning signs. The only difficulty might be in the city centres where the streets are very narrow and the roads are made of cobblestone. Some roads are not very well lit at night so be extra cautious. For now, much of Europe is on Austria’s “low-risk” list — meaning arrivals can visit without any restrictions. General Portugal driving laws rules and regulations: Driving in Portugal is on the right hand side of the road. Restaurants and cafes, cultural facilities and monuments are open, Portugal was added to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)'s ‘safe’ list on August 20, following a drop in cases to 14.9 per 100,000. For emergency services, dial 112. The 2018 Spain and Portugal Michelin Road Map may be overkill for a short break but if you plan on doing a lot of driving in either of these countries, it’s the best map on the market. All our articles are written by expats that live (or lived) in Portugal. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Motorcyclists must dip their headlights during the day and wear crash helmets. When being overtaken, motorists should keep as far right as possible and not accelerate. Road rules and driving in Portugal tips. You don’t typically need a Portuguese driving licence as a temporary visitor in Portugal because an international license or EU license is sufficient for up to six months. 14 amazing places to see the autumn leaves in Europe, Portugal road trip - The ultimate Porto to Lisbon drive, Driving in Spain: Your guide to Spanish toll roads, rules and parking, Driving in France: Car checklist, road rules and essential tips, Driving in Italy: Toll roads, driving rules, parking and top tips, Driving in Croatia: Tolls, roundabouts and road rules, Ireland driving tips: Rules, road signs and essential advice, Always lost? If you decide against hiring a car or maybe you don’t have an international driving licence, then fear not, Portugal is an easy country to get around. There is a general recommendation for citizens to reduce circulation to what is necessary to avoid concentration of people and points of infection. National speed limits are - 50km/h in residential ares, 90km/h on rural roads and 120km/h on Motorways. Around 2.5 million British nationals visited Portugal in 2019. If you're visiting from a European country, your blue disabled badge is valid in Portugal, so just display it in your car when you park. The amount of tax paid is different for vehicles registered before and after July 2007. It's also against the law to travel in the furthest right lane unless you're planning on taking the first exit, so make sure you're travelling in the correct lane for where you're aiming to come off. Here are some laws and restrictions to be aware of: 1. Other “crazy” drivers And finally, if there are no toll booths and you have no V-Tag, you must visit a post office within a couple of days to pay the toll. Children under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size. When it comes to road safety, Portugal has one of the less impressive records in Europe, however, authorities have been taking steps in an attempt to improve the statistics; with fatalities dropping by 40% since 2010. This means you can explore areas such as the coastline in the Algarve, then drive through the capital city Lisbon, and finally head up to the wine region of Porto, all at the time and day of your choosing. The easiest method of payment is to get a V-Tag when you rent a car (most companies include it). Headlights must always be used when driving through tunnels. U.S. citizens traveling directly from the United States to Portugal for non-essential (tourist) travel are currently prohibited from entering Portugal. Thinking of planning the ultimate Portugal road trip? Road Rules: Portugal by Campervan | Portugal This post on Portugal campervan hire was sponsored by Portugal by Van , but all opinions are my own! If you're travelling from outside of Europe you will need to obtain a temporary permit to park - your home country's permit won't work. Seat belts when driving a hired car in Portugal are mandatory. Main roads are sealed and generally in good condition. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Are you in Portugal?Are there any restrictions on travelling as a tourist in Portugal at the moment?So far no specific rules for tourists have been announced. When in Portugal, drive on the right side of the road. Overall, Portuguese road signs are clear and easy to understand. Driving is on the right side of the road while the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle; Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; Speed limits are indicated on circular signs with a red border and are in kilometres per hour: Usually 50km in residential areas, 90km on rural roads and 120km on motorways; Mandatory signs are blue and circular, while informational signs are usually rectangular; It is illegal to drive with headphones on; You can only use a phone while driving if it is with a hand-free system; You are not allowed to use green lanes on motorway toll areas unless you have an electronic toll collection device; It is illegal to carry petrol or gas in your car; It is mandatory to always have the vehicle registration documents inside the vehicle as well as a valid form of ID and valid driving licence; You must have third-party insurance and the documents to prove it; In the car, you must also carry: a reflective danger jacket, a reflective warning triangle, spare light bulbs, a spare wheel, and approved child seats if carrying children under 12 years old or shorter than 135 cm (4 ft 4 inches). Limits and dangers are also often indicated on the road itself. Using a hands-free device is permitted. While we know most local Portuguese drivers don’t always follow the rules, you definitely should to avoid any run-ins with the authorities. The signs can sometimes be red or yellow or there can sometimes be red or yellow lines painted on the kerb. 9 Awesome Music Festivals in Portugal for Summer 2020, Portugal in July: Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun, The Best Central Portugal Beaches: Your Guide to the Silver Coast, The 10 Best Beaches in the Algarve: Your 2020 Guide, Revolut Business Account, The Complete Guide. Portugal is a fairly safe country to drive in considering that there are far less drivers on the road than countries like the US, Australia or Germany. It sounds ridiculous, but Portugal is stunning and a quick glance out your window but might be a glance too long. This number is the same across continental Europe, and operators will be able to answer in English. Warning for a crossroad with a sharp side road on the left. If a vehicle fails the test, a Red Form (Vinheta Vermelha) is issued listing the faults. In Portugal, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. Drivers are required to keep a receipt as proof of payment. However, figures from the National Road Safety Authority show that the number of crashes registered this year has risen by four percent in relation to 2015. Absolutely, Yes. Find out about Portuguese road tax, how it's calculated and how to pay... Road tax (Imposto Único de Circulação, IUC) must be paid annually on the date that the vehicle was first registered. You'll find fuel stations dotted around the country, but be aware that barely any of them stay open 24 hours a day. Email newsletters and marketing efforts. In other road-traffic related news, accidents on Portugal’s roads have, between January and November this year, caused 409 deaths, 30 fewer than the same period of last year. Want to learn more about living in Portugal? Remember to drive on the right in Portugal. Public transport in the main cities is also very cheap and easy to use. Using a hands-free device is permitted. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, except for drivers who have had their license for less than three years - the limit in this case is 0.02%. Drivers must have a driving license, insurance, and the vehicle registration documents. Last updated: December 21, 2020 Country-Specific Information: The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Portugal due to COVID-19. If you're looking for ideas on where to go to on a road trip around Portugal, check out our epic itinerary: Portugal road trip - The ultimate Porto to Lisbon drive. This is quite rare though. Vasco da Gama in Lisbon is the longest bridge in Europe, running some 17.2km. Whether you are planning to stay along the Atlantic Coast, go south to the beaches of the Algarve, or north to wine country, these driving tips will help you be on your way in Portugal with confidence. We are your number one source for everything Portuguese. Overtaking is on the left hand side of the road. Generally you can pay for your fuel with credit and debit cards, but note that there's often a €0.50 charge to do so. Driving in Portugal is fairly easy. subscribe today and be part of the community. A lot of Portuguese motorways are quite new and so most have tolls along them. The speed limit in Portugal depends on the road type (unless otherwise sign-posted): Speed limit signs are white and circular, with the number written within a red ring. The one downside of this method is that you will be charged for the entire length of the road you travelled on because you won’t have evidence of when you entered the toll road. Portuguese drivers don't have the best reputation - people are often impatient so will drive very close behind other cars and overtake without warning, so keep your wits about you! The V is for “Via Verde” (green way) and it allows you to automatically validate each time you pass through a toll way. Using your mobile phone whilst driving is illegal and will result in a fine. However, the main dangers to be aware of include: Night driving Here are some tips to keep your motoring experience as stress-free as possible during your Portugal travel. This is the best navigation app for any road trip, Germany driving tips: Rules of the road, parking and the all-important etiquette. Mandatory road signs in Portugal are used where you are required to carry out a specific task, they are not suggestions, information or advisory signs, they must be adhered to and as such are arguably the most important roads signs in Portugal that you need to … Amazon in Portugal: How Does it Work and What Are Your Options? Whatever country you're in you should be aware of the rules and regulations of the road, but it is easy to get confused. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, except for drivers who have had their license for less than three years - the limit in this case is 0.02%. Parking spaces reserved for disabled badge holders are clearly marked with a blue wheelchair symbol. The toll system in Portugal is a little complicated, with a confusing payment system meaning there's a higher chance of being fined. Driving in another country can be a daunting experience, especially if you aren’t sure of the local road rules, where you can park or which side of the road to drive on. While driving in Portugal you must yield to disembarking tram passengers. The downside is your fellow drivers: the country’s per-capita death rate from road accidents has long been one of Europe’s highest, and drinking, driving and dying are political hot potatoes. The cost of fuel in Portugal tends to fluctuate around €1.40 per litre for diesel, and €1.60 per litre for unleaded petrol. Everyone must know the traffic signs! Most open at 7am and close at either 10pm or midnight, so if you're driving through the night be aware of where your fuel points are. It’s illegal to use a mobile phone unless you have a hands-free system. Before driving through Portugal, it is a good idea to be familiar with the rules and regulations of the country just to avoid any confusion. Tourist, I consent the usage of my data for: You sometimes have to pay extra at the rental company when you return the car. Drivers must yield to disembarking tram passengers. Peculiarities of driving in Portugal: rules, details and regulations of traffic in the country. The traffic signs are located on the side or top of the road. Feel free to leave us a comment below. In Portugal, the law is that you can have no more than 50 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. Public road circulation ban / compulsory curfew Throughout the continental national territory is prohibited movement between municipalities, between the 23h of January 8 and 5 am on 11 January, except for medical reasons, urgency or other specifically provided. Not sure of the rules of the road? It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt. A valid driver's license or an International Driving Permit if you don't have a photo card license, If you're from the UK you need a GB sticker on the back of your car unless you have Euro-plates, You need the certificate of your car insurance, your V5 registration document, or hire car paperwork, If your car is over three years old, you must carry your MOT certificate.A warning triangle to place in the road in case you break down, A reflective jacket which you need to wear if you stop and get out of your car at any point on the motorway, If you've had your license for less than a year you need a yellow '90' disk to display in your car. The Portuguese tend to make up their own rules (or lack thereof) when it comes to parking, so unless otherwise signposted, expect to find most of the regulations and restrictions in the big cities. 2 – At intersections and junctions drivers must give way to vehicles that run on rails. 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