PortugalPortugal

Drive on the right-hand side of the road. Overtaking is normally carried out on the left.

Call 112 for emergency services such as police, ambulance or fire brigade. The number is available throughout the European Union.

The general blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l. A lower limit of 0.2 g/l applies to drivers in the probationary period and to certain professional and special-service drivers, including taxi, TVDE, heavy-vehicle, emergency and dangerous-goods drivers.

For an ordinary passenger car, the general maximum speed in a built-up area is 50 km/h, unless signs impose a different limit.

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general maximum on ordinary roads outside built-up areas is 90 km/h, unless a different limit is signed.

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general maximum on a road reserved for automobiles and motorcycles is 100 km/h, unless signs indicate otherwise.

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general motorway maximum is 120 km/h, unless a lower limit is indicated.

Yes. Drivers on motorways must not normally travel at an instantaneous speed below 50 km/h, without prejudice to situations where road, traffic or safety conditions require slower driving.

Motorways are prohibited to pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds, certain small motorcycles and tricycles, quadricycles, agricultural vehicles and several other slow road users. Vehicles or combinations that cannot exceed 60 km/h, or whose maximum permitted speed is 60 km/h or less, are also prohibited.

No. Portugal does not use a nationwide motorway vignette. Instead, tolls are charged on particular roads and sections, using conventional toll plazas, electronic collection or a combination of systems.

No. Portugal still has tolled motorways, but tolls were removed from several routes and sections from 1 January 2025. The toll-free network includes the A22, A23 and A24, among others, and since 1 January 2026 the entire A25 also has a zero toll tariff.

Some tolled roads use electronic-only collection, where overhead equipment identifies vehicles without requiring them to stop. Drivers of foreign-registered vehicles should arrange a compatible payment method and check the current toll network before travelling.

There is no general requirement for ordinary cars to use dipped headlights throughout every clear daytime journey. Lights must be used from dusk until dawn and during the day whenever visibility is insufficient, such as in fog, heavy rain, snow, smoke or dust. Additional requirements can apply where indicated or to particular vehicle types.

Yes. Motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles and quadricycles must normally travel with the front dipped-beam light and rear position light switched on.

Portugal does not have a general nationwide seasonal winter-tyre requirement for ordinary passenger cars. However, where the D9 snow-chain sign is displayed, vehicles may proceed only with snow chains fitted to two driven wheels. Such conditions are most relevant on mountain roads during snow or ice.

Yes. Drivers and passengers must use the seat belts and other legally required safety devices fitted to the vehicle, subject to limited statutory exemptions.

Children who are under 12 years old and shorter than 135 cm must normally use an approved child-restraint system appropriate for their size and weight. They are generally carried in the rear seats, subject to specific legal exceptions.

Yes. Riders and passengers on motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles and quadricycles must normally wear an officially approved helmet that is properly fitted and fastened. Limited exceptions apply to vehicles with suitable rigid protective structures.

Drivers must not continuously handle or use equipment that can interfere with driving, including a handheld telephone. Hands-free use is permitted when it does not require continuous handling of the device.

Yes. At an intersection or junction without signs or another applicable priority rule, a driver must normally give way to vehicles approaching from the right.

Drivers entering a roundabout must give way to traffic already circulating on it. If taking the first exit, use the right-hand lane; for a later exit, move into the right-hand lane only after passing the exit immediately before the one you intend to take.

At an uncontrolled marked crossing, drivers must slow down and, if necessary, stop for pedestrians or cyclists who have already begun crossing. When turning into another road, drivers must also allow pedestrians and cyclists crossing that road to pass, even where no marked crossing exists.

An amber light normally means stop. A driver may continue only when already so close to the signal that stopping would require hard braking. A green light permits movement only when the intersection can be cleared safely.

Motor vehicles covered by the Portuguese equipment rule must carry an approved warning triangle and retroreflective safety vest. When a vehicle is immobilised on the carriageway or shoulder, the triangle must normally be placed at least 30 m behind it and be visible from at least 100 m; the person placing it or dealing with the vehicle must wear the vest.

A motor-vehicle driver must maintain a lateral distance of at least 1.5 metres from a cyclist and slow down when overtaking.

Yes, but they are defined by individual municipalities rather than by one nationwide low-emission-zone system. Drivers should check the rules of the municipality they plan to enter, particularly in larger cities.

Stopping or parking on a motorway is generally prohibited except in places specifically provided for that purpose. A forced stop caused by a breakdown or accident is subject to separate emergency-safety rules.