Whether you are commuting to work, exploring the country or living somewhere outside the major cities, having a valid driving license can make life much easier.

But if you are a foreign resident, what happens to your existing driving license? Do you need to exchange it for a Portuguese one? And what if you have never had a driving license before?

The answer depends largely on where your current license was issued.

Here is everything you need to know about getting or exchanging a driving license in Portugal as a foreigner.

Do you need a Portuguese driving license?

Not necessarily.

Portugal recognises driving licenses issued by several foreign countries, but the rules vary depending on whether your license was issued in the EU/EEA, an OECD or CPLP country, or another country.

If you already have a valid foreign driving license, you may be able to continue driving in Portugal without taking the Portuguese driving test. In other cases, you may need to exchange your license or even take Portuguese theory and practical exams.

So, before starting the process, the first step is to check which rules apply to your country of origin.

1. If you have an EU or EEA driving license

If your driving license was issued by an EU country or by Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, you can generally drive in Portugal until the expiry date shown on your license.

However, if you become a resident in Portugal, you must register your foreign driving license with the IMT (Institute for Mobility and Transport) within 60 days of establishing residence. This registration is free.

You do not necessarily need to exchange your license for a Portuguese one immediately.

If your EU/EEA license does not have an expiry date, or is considered a lifelong license, different rules apply: after establishing residence in Portugal, it must be exchanged or dealt with according to Portuguese revalidation rules within the applicable period.

What do you need to register it?

You will generally need:

• A valid identification document

• Proof of residence in Portugal

• Your valid driving license

The registration can be handled through the IMT or at an IMT service desk.

2. If you have a license from an OECD or CPLP country

Portugal has specific rules that make it possible for holders of certain driving licenses issued by OECD and CPLP countries to drive in Portugal, including after becoming residents, provided certain conditions are met.

These include countries such as:

• Brazil

• Angola

• Cape Verde

• Mozambique

• São Tomé and Príncipe

• United States

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• Switzerland

• Australia

• Japan

• New Zealand

• South Korea

• Turkey

• Israel

• Chile

The license must be valid, the issuing country must meet the relevant international convention or bilateral agreement requirements and, among other conditions, the license must have been issued or renewed within the previous 15 years and the holder must be under 60.

This means that, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to continue driving in Portugal without exchanging your license.

However, if you want to exchange your foreign license for a Portuguese one, you can do so through the IMT. In the cases covered by this regime, drivers are generally exempt from taking theory and practical exams for the categories being exchanged.

3. If your license comes from another country

For licenses issued by countries that have a bilateral agreement, reciprocity arrangement or are signatories to the relevant international road traffic conventions, the rules are slightly different.

As a tourist, you can generally drive in Portugal with a valid foreign license for up to 185 days, provided you have not established residence in the country.

Once you become a resident, you should pay attention to the deadlines for exchanging your license. For certain countries, you can continue driving with your foreign license for up to 90 days after obtaining residence, but you must submit your exchange application within that period.

After those initial 90 days and up to two years, you may still apply for an exchange, but you can no longer legally drive in Portugal using the foreign license.

If more than two years have passed, exchanging the license may require passing a practical driving examination.

4. What if your country is not covered by an agreement?

If your driving license was issued by a country that does not participate in the relevant international conventions and has no applicable agreement with Portugal, the process is more demanding.

The foreign license is not valid for driving in Portugal, but you can request an exchange for a Portuguese license.

In this case, you will generally have to pass both:

• A Portuguese theory examination

• A practical driving examination

You will also need to meet the other requirements for exchanging a foreign license, including a medical assessment.

What if you don’t have a driving license yet?

If you have never had a driving license, you can obtain a Portuguese one in much the same way as a Portuguese resident.

For a standard Category B driving license, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be physically and mentally fit to drive

• Be resident in Portugal

• Not be subject to a driving prohibition

• Pass the required driving examinations

The first step is to enrol in a driving school (escola de condução).

You will generally need to provide identification proving that you reside in Portugal, your Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and an electronic medical certificate.

You will then complete the required driving lessons and take the examinations.

What are the Portuguese driving tests like?

For a standard Category B license, the process involves both theory and practical training and examinations.

The theory test covers Portuguese road rules, signs, safety and other aspects of road use. The practical exam assesses your ability to drive safely and correctly in real traffic conditions.

If Portuguese is not your first language, it is worth checking with your driving school and the IMT about the options available for taking the theory examination. The IMT publishes official information and examination questions that can help candidates prepare.

How to exchange a foreign driving license

If you are eligible to exchange your license, the process is relatively straightforward.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Before doing anything, confirm which rules apply to the country that issued your driving license.

This is particularly important because the requirements and deadlines can be very different between EU/EEA countries, OECD/CPLP countries and other countries.

Step 2: Get your medical assessment

A medical assessment is required for the exchange process.

Your doctor submits the electronic medical certificate directly through the relevant platform, so you normally do not need to upload a paper copy yourself.

Step 3: Submit your application

The exchange request can be submitted through A Minha Carta de Condução, the IMT’s online platform.

Depending on your situation, you may need documents such as:

• Identification document or residence permit

• Proof of address or tax domicile

• Passport, where applicable

• Original foreign driving license

• Certificate of authenticity of the foreign license, where required

• Psychological assessment for certain heavy-vehicle categories

• Certified translation, when required

Step 4: Complete the IMT process

After submitting your application, the IMT may ask you to attend an appointment at an IMT service desk.

You may need to hand in your original foreign driving license and have your photograph and signature collected for the Portuguese license.

The standard exchange fee is currently €30, with a 10% discount when the request is submitted online.

How long does the process take?

The timeline can vary depending on your country of origin, the type of license you have and the specific documents required.

For this reason, it is a good idea to start the process as soon as possible after becoming a resident, especially if your license is subject to a 90-day exchange deadline.

Do not wait until your foreign license is no longer valid for driving in Portugal.

Can you drive while waiting for your Portuguese license?

This depends on your specific situation.

Some foreign licenses remain valid for driving in Portugal under the applicable recognition rules, while others stop being valid once the relevant residence deadline has passed.

Submitting an exchange application does not automatically mean that you can continue driving with any foreign license indefinitely.

Always check the rules applicable to the country that issued your license before getting behind the wheel.

Driving in Portugal as an expat: the key takeaway

Getting a Portuguese driving license as a foreigner is not necessarily complicated, but there is no single process for everyone.

If you already have a driving license, the first thing to establish is where it was issued. Depending on the country, you may only need to register it, exchange it without exams or complete Portuguese theory and practical examinations.

If you do not have a driving license yet, you will need to enrol in a Portuguese driving school and complete the standard training and examination process.

Most importantly, pay attention to the deadlines after becoming a Portuguese resident. Missing an exchange deadline can mean losing the right to drive with your foreign license while your application is being processed.

If you are unsure which rules apply to your situation, the safest option is to check directly with the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) before driving.

Moving to Portugal?

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Need help settling into Portugal? Get in touch with our team and let us make your relocation easier.