To drive in Portugal, there are three different procedures according to the country where the driving licence was issued.
1. Driving licenses issued in EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), are valid in Portugal, and its exchange is voluntary.
2. You may be asked to exchange foreign license by Portuguese, without conducting any test driving test, but will have to apply for exchange 185 days after obtaining residence in national territory. This measure covers: ∙ countries with which Portugal has entered into bilateral agreement or hold a reciprocal basis (Brazil, Switzerland, Morocco, Andorra, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, United Arab Emirates and Angola); Acceding to the international conventions of Road Transit; ∙ Driving licenses issued by the Portuguese administration in Macao and the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
3. The exchange of driving license issued by non-adherent foreign countries to International Conventions on Road Transit depends on taking and passing the practical test of driving test, for each category of the driver holds. However, enrollment in driving school is not required, so the driver can self propose for the examination. In order to drive in Portugal, you must obtain international driving license, which can be requested in regional and district offices of the IMT by holders with national driving license or issued by other member states of the European Economic Area. However, keep in mind that there are exceptions. Drivers who establish residence in Portugal have a duty to inform the Regional Service District or the IMT your area, within 60 days under penalty of infringement.
For more information, please access the IMT webpage or the brochure.
