Complete Guide to Driving in Portugal: How to Exchange Your Driver’s License
Know Before You Go
You may think this is something you don’t need to worry about until after you move to Portugal, but there are a few things that will make your life much easier if you take care of them beforehand.
Read on for tips so you can stay ahead of the game and won’t be looking in the rearview mirror kicking yourself for not taking care of this sooner.
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Driving in Portugal
When you travel to some countries in Europe, like Greece, they require an international driving permit for tourists and car rentals. We made the mistake of ignoring this requirement when we took a trip to Greece, and the car rental agent refused to give us the rental car we had already paid for online with a credit card! Luckily there were several rental companies nearby and we found one that allowed us to apply for an international driving license in order to complete the rental and get on the road. The application for an international driver permit is simple, and you can apply through AAA before your trip to be safe or if the country you plan to visit requires it.
Portugal, on the other hand, does not require such a permit as I learned on a previous road trip from Porto to Lisbon. The only requirement for driving in Portugal is nerves of steel, particularly on the toll roads where speed limits matter to no one and road signs are really just suggestions. On my first trip I drove through the Douro Valley and definitely wished I’d opted for a guided wine tour instead! I do suggest splurging on the rental car insurance, as there may be a propensity for scratches and scrapes while performing death-defying 40-point turns on tiny two-way roads the width of my arm span! Portugal’s drivers are fairly famous; find out what else Portugal is famous for.
I've only taken road trips in North America, the United Kingdom (wrong side of the road in a German right-side-of-the-road car made for a very interesting experience 😳), and a very dodgy 6-hour motorbike ride through the mountains of Vietnam. I've never driven in the Middle East, Central or South America, or Antarctica 🐧, so check the requirements of the country you are visiting.
But back to driving in Portugal.
Common Questions About Driving in Portugal
Who is allowed to drive in Portugal?
According to IMT, Portugal has a bilateral agreement or a reciprocity recognition for the recognition and exchange of driving licenses with these countries or countries that are signatories to one of the international traffic conventions.
This means that if you have a driver’s license with one of these countries, you qualify to exchange your license for a Portuguese license without having to take a driving course or take a written or practical driving test.
A tourist with a driver’s license from the United States or one of the other recognized countries at the links above is allowed to drive in Portugal for a period of 185 days.
At the time of publication the legislation required those pursuing residency in Portugal, to apply to exchange their foreign license for a Portuguese license within 90 days of obtaining residency at your SEF appointment. Updated legislation in 2022 stated that a foreign driver’s license would remain valid until the expiry date, at which time the driver would need to exchange it for a Portuguese driver’s license. Because of the difficulty of getting the necessary documents, we still think doing the exchange first thing is your best bet to make the process as smooth as possible.
Do I have to exchange my license for a Portuguese license?
The short answer is yes. If you settle in Portugal as a legal resident, you are required to exchange your American driver’s license for one issued by IMT, the authority that issues driver’s licenses in Portugal.
When can I apply to exchange my license?
You can apply after you are officially a resident of Portugal and have a NIF, a valid residency permit issued by SEF, and your número de utente (public health number) issued by SNS.
You need a NIF to apply for residency, a residency permit to apply for a número de utente with SNS, and a número de utente to get an atestado médico to apply for a driver’s license exchange.
Do I have to exchangemy license within 90 days of becoming a resident?
According to 2022 legislation changes, the 90-day window no longer applies to residents. The new legislation states that foreign driver’s licenses will remain valid through their original expiry date.
What happens if I don’t apply for an exchange within two years?
What are you waiting for? J/k I know shit happens and sometimes these things slip through the cracks. Or maybe you didn't plan to drive and now you do. Either way, the good news is you can still apply to exchange your license for a Portuguese driver's license, but you'll have to pass a practical driving test.
How to Exchange Your U.S. Driver's License for a Portuguese Driver's License
What documents do I need?
✓ valid U.S. driver’s license
✓ certificate of authenticity of the driving license issued by the issuing entity or consular services
✓ Portuguese residence permit
✓ atestado médico (medical exam certificate)
✓ psychological assessment certificate (if you are applying for vehicle categories C, D, and/or E—large vehicles)
Confused? Keep reading for more details.
How do I get a certificate of authenticity?
Contact the Portugal consulate with jurisdiction over the state in which your driver’s license was issued to get details on how to obtain a Certificado de Autenticação da Carta de Condução. If you do not obtain the Certificado from the consulate, you must apostille a copy of your license and driving record abstract.
I recently contacted the Consulate General of Portugal in New York and here is what they requested verbatim:
Document list:
✓ Valid American drivers license (Original)
✓ Photocopy of Bilhete de Identidade or Cartão de Cidadão (Citizen Card) OR Passport if you are not Portuguese
✓ “Certified Abstract” issued by NY Motor Vehicles Commission
✓ Document certifying residency in the US (ex.: drivers license photocopy)
✓ Pre-Paid Express mail (Flat Rate Envelope, of 12 ½ x 9 ½) to return the Certificate
Cost:
$85.16 in the form of money order payable to “Consulate General of Portugal in New York”
Sent to us by postal service to:
Consulado Geral de Portugal em New York
866 2nd Ave 8th floor, New York, NY 10017
Note: Incomplete applications or a normal Pre-Paid envelope will not be accepted.
Where do I get the atestado médico?
This is a health assessment and is a requirement for the license exchange. A doctor from your Portuguese public health clinic or private clinic will submit the assessment directly to the IMT system digitally. There are also mobile and online doctors who perform this service.
What do I need to do before leaving the U.S.?
It’s much easier to obtain your driving record and the necessary apostille or Certificado from the consulate before leaving the U.S. This should be done close to your departure date so the documents do not expire.
What do I do when I'm ready to apply for the exchange in Portugal?
After you arrive in Portugal, and after you've had your SEF appointment and received your residence permit and obtained your número de utente from SNS, you're ready to apply for your exchange.
Start by having a medical exam with your chosen doctor. They will upload the atestado médico electronically to the IMT system using your número de utente, hence why you need this number before completing your application.
Fill out the application form online
Upload your additional documents
After you submit your application, you should receive an email with instructions regarding:
✓ appointment date and time with IMT
✓ which original documents to bring with you to IMT
✓ where to go to have your biometric data collected
✓ what the cost to you will be at the appointment
Congrats!
After you complete your appointment with IMT, they will issue you a temporary paper license and will mail your new Portuguese driver's license to your new Portuguese address. NOTE: Some people we know received their licenses in the mail lightning fast, while we waited months.
Don’t miss these additional resources to make preparing for your move abroad easier!
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