Guide to Driving In Portugal - Drive Safe in Portugal

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

More info

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

90 kph

More info

motorway speed limit

120 kph

More info

Drink Drive Limit

50mg

More info

You drive in Portugal on the Right side

The currency in Portugal is EUR €

To rent a car is 23 years and to drive is 18 years of age

Current fuel price in Portugal 1.70 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Portugal

Drive Smart Portugal

Profile:

Name: Portugal

Capital: Lisbon

Currency: EUR €

SPEED: (kph)

Urban: 50

Rural: 90

Highway: 120

Holiday:

Sunday 26 Oct 2025

Daylight Saving Time ends - Clock change - Daylight Saving Time

Cameras:

Fixed: YES

Mobile: YES

FUEL:

Petrol: 1.70

Diesel: 1.55

EUR/Litre

See Fuel Price in Portugal for full statistics

DRIVE:

On the:

RIGHT

See Which Countries Drive on the RIGHT

MIN AGE:

Drive: 18

Rent: 23

DRINK:

50mg

Blood alcohol content

EMERGENCY:

112

DOCUMENT:

Driving License:

Passport:

IDP:

Registration:

Insurance:

PHONES:

Yes

Hands free only

SEATBELTS:

Front: Yes

Rear: Yes

See here for current child seats law in Portugal

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Portugal?

In Portugal, one drives on the right with overtaking on the left, you can be fined more than 1,000 Euros if you pass a driver on the right. On the motorways there are three lanes with the middle one being for overtaking. At night in rural areas look out for horse drawn carts. When a tram stops and there are no island for passengers to disembark at, drivers must give way to them. Avoiding rush hour traffic in the cities is to be advised.

Road Sign to Faro Portugal

It is safest to drive defensively in Portugal, which has one of the less impressive driving safety records in Europe. You can find interactive online maps of the country at http://www.travelportal.info/western-europe/portugal/maps.

Seat BeltsDocumentsDriving AgeSafety Camera DevicesOn the spot finesChild SafetyInsuranceDrinking and DrivingPolice Car

Rules of the road

Towing RegulationsSpeed LimitsSpeed CamerasPhones when drivingTraffic LightsToll Roads

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police: 112

Fire: 112

Ambulance: 112

Notes:

	Diesel	Unleaded
Oct , 2025	€ 1.55	€ 1.70
Sep , 2025	€ 1.56	€ 1.71
Aug , 2025	€ 1.55	€ 1.69
Jul , 2025	€ 1.57	€ 1.67

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations

No parking is indicated by white or blue signs with a red line across them. The signs can sometimes be red or yellow or there can sometimes be red or yellow lines painted on the kerb.

It's illegal to park closer than five metres from a junction, 25 metres before or five metres after a bus stop or six metres from a tram stop.

You mustn't park across driveways that give access to property. If you do, your car can be towed away.

Paid parking

Some places require you to use a blue disc for parking. They are indicated on signage and the discs can be obtained from local police stations. In the big cities you'll find parking meters or ticket machines as well as many areas which are for residents only.

Enforcement

Enforcement of parking is done by attendants in uniform. You will receive a ticket and can get points on your licence which can be transferred to the UK.

Disabled parking

Portugal recognises the EU blue badge disability scheme but as with any country, it's best to check locally what the badge will entitle you to.

Emergency Information

Police: 112

Fire: 112

Ambulance: 112

The emergency number for Portugal is the European standard 112.

The British embassy in Portugal is at Rua de São Bernardo 33, Lisbon, 1249-082, and the main switchboard number is 351 21 392 4000.

The US embassy is at United States Embassy, Avenida das Forças Armadas , 1600-081 Lisbon, and their phone number is 351-21-727-3300.

What to do in an emergency

If you have trouble with your hire car, contact the number given to you when you collected it. If driving your own car, contact the number of the Portuguese representative of your emergency assistance organisation.

If you are involved in an accident, minor damage can be setlled between the parties concerned. If there is substantial damage, a dispute over fault or if someone is hurt, you must call the emergency services and wait until they arrive. Leaving the scene of a serious accident is a crime in Portugal. Whilst waiting, take the names and addresses of those involved and witnesses, photograph the scene and if safe to do so, leave vehicles where they are.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Drive Smart

Road Signs

See all road signs in Portugal here.

Handy Phrases

Rental car – Aluguer
Motorway – Auto Estrada
Thank you – Obrigado
Portagem – Toll Road
Police - Guarda Nacional Republicana
Breakdown - Avaria
Fire service – Bombeiros
Border - Fronteira
One way – Sentido Unico
I have broken down - Tenho dividido
Where is the police station? - Onde é a estação de polícia?
I have a flat tyre - Eu tenho um pneu furado
I have been in an accident - Eu estive em um acidente
Where is? - Onde está?
Where can I buy petrol? - Onde posso comprar a gasolina
Stop – Pare
Itinerario principal – Main road
Unleaded Petrol – Gasolina sem chumbo/ Gasolina sin plumbo
Gasoleo - Diesel
I don't understand - Nao Percebo
What does this cost? – Quanto Custa?
Speed Limit – Limite de Velocidad
Brakes - Breques

Portugal Fuel Price History

	Diesel	Unleaded
Oct , 2025	€ 1.55	€ 1.70
Sep , 2025	€ 1.56	€ 1.71
Aug , 2025	€ 1.55	€ 1.69
Jul , 2025	€ 1.57	€ 1.67
Jun , 2025	€ 1.52	€ 1.68
May , 2025	€ 1.51	€ 1.67
Apr , 2025	€ 1.59	€ 1.74
Mar , 2025	€ 1.61	€ 1.70
Feb , 2025	€ 1.65	€ 1.77
Jan , 2025	€ 1.63	€ 1.75
Dec , 2024	€ 1.59	€ 1.70
Nov , 2024	€ 1.56	€ 1.68

Month, Year	Diesel €/ltr	Unleaded €/ltr
Oct , 2025	1.55	1.70
Sep , 2025	1.56	1.71
Aug , 2025	1.55	1.69
Jul , 2025	1.57	1.67
Jun , 2025	1.52	1.68
May , 2025	1.51	1.67
Apr , 2025	1.59	1.74
Mar , 2025	1.61	1.70
Feb , 2025	1.65	1.77
Jan , 2025	1.63	1.75
Dec , 2024	1.59	1.70
Nov , 2024	1.56	1.68

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Portugal and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

Posted by Kellie Hodge

About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

Visitor Comments

28/03/2019
Ian Hamilton

How do they indicate that a speed limit is finished in Portugal?

This is the sign that shows when a speed limit has finished

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Guide to Driving In Portugal - Drive Safe in Portugal

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

motorway speed limit

Drink Drive Limit

Driving Laws in Portugal

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Portugal?

(Click to enlarge)

Rules of the road

Send to friend

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Emergency Information

What to do in an emergency

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

Portugal Fuel Price History

Hiring a Car

About the Author -

Visitor Comments

Ian Hamilton