en 
The transitional regime for the recognition and exchange of driving licenses issued by the United Kingdom has been extended for a period of one year by the Portuguese Government.
“The decree-law that extends for a period of one year the transitional regime for the recognition and exchange of driving licenses issued by the United Kingdom has been approved”.
According to the Government, this change will allow "the recognition of driving licenses issued by the United Kingdom to citizens residing in Portugal under the same terms of driving licenses issued by a Member State of the European Union until December 31, 2022".
The transitional regime, which ended on December 31 of this year, will allow citizens with driving licenses issued by the United Kingdom and residing in Portugal to exchange them for a Portuguese driving licence.
The decree-law that establishes this transitional regime and published in March of this year states that the persons covered are exempt from taking the driving test in Portugal.
The decree-law also presupposes an equivalent treatment by the British authorities towards Portuguese citizens residing in the United Kingdom.
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I applied to exchange in January, nearly 11 months ago!!……..I am still waiting for any correspondence or payment request. WHY???
By JG from Algarve on 20 Nov 2021, 07:22
So am I and so is everyone I’ve asked on my travels. Email last January saying I’m 2548 on the list. No clue as to where they are up to now, hardly surprised they have extended the deadline!
By Steve from Algarve on 20 Nov 2021, 12:03
Same for us. Both applied for exchange in January 2021.You can’t get an answer from IMT as to when. We have NZ licences that expire next year. What happens if we haven’t had the exchange by then?
By Ian from Lisbon on 21 Nov 2021, 06:40
The problem with these long waiting times is for all. It is not specific to UK. I have applied to exchange my Swedish license. And nothing happens. My licence has expired. They say that the proof of applying is enough to make GNR happy. But I can't drive outside Portugal. And not get an international licence, that I need for drive on vacation outside EU.
No answer, except computer generated answer. And no information about what to expect. When I try to call them, they refuse to talk anything but Portuguese. Someone talk very fast and not clear, so I could not understand what they say.
What to do ????
By Gustav from Algarve on 21 Nov 2021, 07:49
Can those who have had their licence exchanged, using the on line procedure, inform us about how long time it took ?
By Gustav from Algarve on 21 Nov 2021, 08:18
Yes, the problem is getting worse. Several companies offering an exchange service have popped up. My wife and I applied only to be later yold there was a problem with the system at IMT. A police complaint was made, but do be careful using these companies. Unsure if it is a scam or just hopeful businesses that have also been tripped up by an over burdened and under staffed transport bureau.
By Ian from Lisbon on 22 Nov 2021, 13:28
1. When I changed my UK licence many years ago, it took over a year to get the PT licence. During that time all I had was a piece of paper saying I could drive in Portugal. Too bad if I had to go abroad.
2. "The transitional regime, which ended on 31 December this year, ..." Really? It's terrible English.
By Calvin from Lisbon on 22 Nov 2021, 17:36
Took February to October to get a UK licence changed in our experience. Using the online systems.
By Michael Blesh from Algarve on 22 Nov 2021, 18:49
I have applied for my Portuguese Driving Licence over 18 months ago and still nothing has happened. The IMT got in touch recently to say I need to take another Medical Report as the one I sent has now expired! I had to pay for another one and am now waiting to hear from them to complete the process. My UK licence expires in 2023 so I am very worried! This process appears to be a total shambles!
By SUSAN PRICE from Algarve on 22 Nov 2021, 19:36
My husband is a British citizen but holds a Spanish license
He applied to change it to Portuguese in June 2020 and like Gustav it has expired despite several visits to IMT Coimbra who say they are unable to do anything.
By Sylvia Hawkes from Other on 22 Nov 2021, 20:40
I visit UK frequently and want to keep my UK license - is it possible?
By Norman from Lisbon on 22 Nov 2021, 22:02
My wife and I applied in December 2020, filled in the appropriate forms, scanned and uploaded everything. Received acknowledgment of application then 6 weeks later was sent an email saying we needed to do it again using their new system only instituted in January '21. Did so and I have been told only last week that there was a problem with the application (from 4th March upload date) and I needed to apply from the start again. My wife was invited to attend the IMT office in Santarem, paid her fee and her biometric info was taken. This was in June. Since then nothing! IMG is a failing organisation and needs urgent reform.
By Russell Taylor from Other on 22 Nov 2021, 23:02
I’m so gad we are not the only ones… December 2020 in my case and Jan 2021 for my wife… not a word on either as yet!
By Jim Gill from Algarve on 22 Nov 2021, 23:40
We applied online December 2020 and heard nothing. Went into the office in Beja recently and was told quiet abruptly to just wait. Our friend went to the Faro office and refused to leave until sorted and called a supervisor. All done and licence received within 4 weeks. We’ll try that next.
By Lee Tunnicliffe from Lisbon on 23 Nov 2021, 05:02
There can't be many that have not changed there driving licences over to a Portuguese one, as the fear of having to take a driving test in Portugal after Brexit caused a panic in 2019 to beat the Brexit completion which was then extended to the 01/01/21. If you live in Portugal why not be legal and not like a few Brits who live here under the radar.
By Alan from Algarve on 23 Nov 2021, 06:31
There can't be many that have not changed there driving licences over to a Portuguese one, as the fear of having to take a driving test in Portugal after Brexit caused a panic in 2019 to beat the Brexit completion which was then extended to the 01/01/21. If you live in Portugal why not be legal and not like a few Brits who live here under the radar.
By Alan from Algarve on 23 Nov 2021, 06:31
There can't be many that have not changed there driving licences over to a Portuguese one, as the fear of having to take a driving test in Portugal after Brexit caused a panic in 2019 to beat the Brexit completion which was then extended to the 01/01/21. If you live in Portugal why not be legal and not like a few Brits who live here under the radar.
By Alan from Algarve on 23 Nov 2021, 06:32
Is this extension really correct, and if so, what's the source? I asked a friend to call IMT and they told her no such extension exists.
By Gus from Lisbon on 16 May 2022, 11:11