en 
Holders of driving licenses issued by Member States of the
Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) can now drive in Portugal without
changing their licence.
According to the amendment published today in the Diário da
República, the exchange of driving licenses has been waived, "enabling
driving in the national territory with titles issued in those States, through
the recognition of foreign driving titles".
Rules for application
This recognition applies to driver's licenses in which the
issuing State subscribes in a bilateral agreement with the Portuguese State, if
no more than 15 years have elapsed since the issue or the last renewal and
provided that the holder has less than 60 years of age.
The published decree-law emphasises that these driving
licenses only allow driving in national territory "if their holders are of
the minimum age required by Portuguese law for the respective license, and are
valid and not apprehended, suspended, expired or revoked by force of legal
provision, administrative decision or court decision applied to its holder in
Portugal or in the issuing State".
Freedom of movement
"Freedom of movement is an essential element for the
full exercise of citizenship", says the published decree-law, stressing
that "Portugal has sought to strengthen the rights of foreign citizens who
travel to our country, whether in terms of travel temporary accommodation for
tourist purposes, whether travelling to work or invest in our country".
In the document, the Government reiterates its commitment "to an integration of migrants, which involves improvements in their quality of life", stressing that it is "essential to simplify the license to drive motor vehicles", an element that it considers "fundamental for a guarantee of mobility throughout the national territory".
Countries included
The rules mean that holders of driving licenses issued by
Member States of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) can now drive in
Portugal without changing their licence.
CPLP countries are: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, São Tomé e
Principe, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique.
OECD countries are: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada,
Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the
United Kingdom and the United States.
Originally from the UK, Daisy has been living and working in Portugal for more than 20 years. She has worked in PR, marketing and journalism, and has been the editor of The Portugal News since 2019. Jornalista 7920
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Great news. More lunatic drivers on the road lol Break out the champagne
By mooseman from Algarve on 12 Jul 2022, 12:50
The lower age limit I understand, the upper age limit is mistake. I’m 60 in a couple of months, have a valid California drivers license which expires in 2026, then what happens. Is the exchange program valid after 60 or my California license expires: is that it for driving in Portugal? I looked at the DRE site, it didn’t help. Can you point me in the right direction for some clarity this issue?
By Peter from Porto on 12 Jul 2022, 14:59
About time, the IMT is probably one of the most incompetent organizations I’ve ever had to deal with.
By John Doe from Lisbon on 12 Jul 2022, 15:40
Can you please provide a link to the document referenced here? Thank you.
By Eve-Marie Whitsun-Jones from Beiras on 12 Jul 2022, 15:55
This article is very misleading, it does not apply to anyone with residency, or over 60 years of age. Law still states that application to exchange UK licence must be made within 90 days of getting residency
By Graham bishop from Algarve on 12 Jul 2022, 18:09
What happens if you're over 60?
By Nicholas Parr from Lisbon on 12 Jul 2022, 20:34
I'm 67 and hold UK license for cars and motorcycles. I have been waiting for over one year for a PT license. Good news for many, but do I have to continue waiting?
By Mike Nelson from Algarve on 12 Jul 2022, 22:15
I agree about the IMT comment. Absolutely hopeless. When I exchanged my UK licence the dopey woman forgot to include my motorbike licence and truck licence intially, i had to point out that my licence also included agricultural . Gees whether she did it on purpose or not .... mmm maybe had links with a local driving school.
By mooseman from Algarve on 13 Jul 2022, 01:02
The Portuguese are rather reckless drivers, why add drives from Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Angola or Mexico and Turkey to the already sour situation of Portuguese roads. The EU and its nations should be worried and have a say too since these drivers will use EU road networks freely.
By Diogo F. from Madeira on 13 Jul 2022, 01:18
I’ve been driving around the whole of Portugal since 2007 with an Irish driving licence. I’ve never had a problem and any interaction with the police have been fine with the Irish licence. Not sure what license they’re not recognising? My father has an English licence and again he’s been fine in Porto.
By John from Algarve on 13 Jul 2022, 07:05
What happens if you are over 60 but your licence is still valid
By Geraldine Owens from Lisbon on 13 Jul 2022, 07:39
@Graham. - Holders of the licenses referred to in points d), e) and g) of paragraph 1 are authorized to drive motor vehicles in Portugal during the first 185 days following their entry into the country, provided they are not residents. As you can see this referred to point d, e and g. So to all who are not part of the CPLP and OECD.
By Dennis de Vries from Lisbon on 13 Jul 2022, 07:51
>>Great news. More lunatic drivers on the road lol Break out the champagne
It can't be more. It seems to me that IMT is either corrupt or provides driver license to everyone who has two eyes
By SS from Porto on 13 Jul 2022, 10:39
This is great news. Will this also cover disabled permits, blue badge, I. E from the UK, rather than having to go thru the portuguese system.
If this has not been discussed, it would be a good thing to deal with. Thankyou
By Sally jane from Algarve on 13 Jul 2022, 11:00
Surely these drivers who which to use their country´s drivers license must register it with the portuguese authorities database? Otherwise how could they be fined or issued points deductions in case they commit traffic infractions? I haven´t seen this question adressed in any news outlet but I suppose the law still has to be regulated through a government decree or the holders of foreign drivers license would be at an advantage over the portuguese ones.
By Miguel from Lisbon on 13 Jul 2022, 11:01
Well John you have been either lucky or a non resident because if you have been a resident eince 2007 then you have to matriculate your licnce to portuguese. Same goes for people entering Uk or ireland from other countries and residing there for more than 6 months. Perhaps the police you encountered could be easily persuaded with some folding stuf lol
By mooseman from Algarve on 13 Jul 2022, 11:35
They say that they believe that freedom of movement is vital....And then put an age limit of 60. This is ridiculous as most retirees here are 60+! again a mockery
By Jeffrey Slater from Alentejo on 13 Jul 2022, 11:58
Like Peter from Porto my wife and I fall into the over 60 age group, but my UK license must be renewed every 3 years accompanied by a statement declaring
that I am not visually, physically or mentally impaired which is a legal requirement in the UK. We own two Portuguese registered cars which we keep in Portugal and use for less than 5 months each year. Must we sell our cars and drive the 40 year old Piaggio Ape sitting in the back of my garage that does not seem to need a driving license to use?
By maurice whelan from Algarve on 13 Jul 2022, 14:25
So we spent a year with paperwork, appointment, fees to exchange our UK licences for nothing?
IMT are not so bad, actually spoke English in Faro, and quick appointments. SEF is the horrible one :(
By Michael Blesh from Algarve on 13 Jul 2022, 14:32
Does this also mean i do not have to register my dutch drivers license after 60 days becomming a resident?
By Bart from Algarve on 13 Jul 2022, 15:50
As an active couple of 61 and 64 years old and many years of driving experience. I find this agist regulation completely unacceptable. Age discrimination jumps to mind. Come on Portugal, a lot of your tourists are generally retired active 60+ people who enjoy travelling and touring around your beautiful country. If said people have valid drivers licenses in their home country, what if any difference is it to be acceptable in Portugal. Please don’t give me the reason of insurance and liability as we all know about that and pay the price if it’s required.
By Gaynor Spiers from Other on 13 Jul 2022, 16:16
I had my German driving licence what was good for life time since I moved to portugal I had to change my licence now is good only for 5 years so I can get my German license back ?
By Hans-Jurgen Romanowski from Other on 13 Jul 2022, 17:02
The fact that I would "recognise" Boris Johnson in a bar, does not legitmise him. This is highly ambiguous, very misleading.
Anyone who is resident (and anyone who spends 90 days or more here must be resident) is required to apply for a reciprocal licence. After Dec 2022 that option will be lost, and you have to take a test.
Please show the references to any changes to that requirement, as this is at odds with goverment advice
By py rocagenica from Lisbon on 13 Jul 2022, 18:39
My advice is change your licence now if you are resident here in portugal that way you are covered. And if you decide to leave portugal you can always change your licnce back to your native country
By moosehead from Algarve on 14 Jul 2022, 02:53
Please fact check this article and link to the declaration. I was at IMT yesterday and did have to trade in my US license and provide all documentation listed on their website. No one at IMT in Lisbon had been briefed on any new law that made it so that I did not have to trade in my license. It is unclear if this article applies to residents of Portugal or just tourists staying less than 180 days. It is very misleading and lacks critical information.
By Georgina from Lisbon on 14 Jul 2022, 15:36
Application? That means another document for the buerocracy and payment.
Portugal should accept the Licences of the European Countries without any exceptions instead of making it more complex.
By Mac from Other on 14 Jul 2022, 19:39
Absolute nonsense. They will be able to break all the rules of Portugal as they will not be on any data base and not be open to prosecution. !!!!!!
By J from Lisbon on 15 Jul 2022, 08:37
This article has opened a can of worms. Probably because it's inaccuracies or incompleteness rather than the rules itself
By DAvid Clark from UK on 15 Jul 2022, 12:44
I do recall the first time i came to portugal I had an australian drivers licnce but I also required what they call an international drivers licence. This could be bought in your native country since Aus is not part of europe.I was pulled over by GNR and they asked for both... this was some time ago not sure how it works now.
By mooseman from Algarve on 15 Jul 2022, 13:35
>They will be able to break all the rules of Portugal as they will not be on any data base and not be open to prosecution.
It seems to me, you don't have a car or a driver licence, otherwise you would know, that fines comes by a car number. regardless on which country driver license you use.
By SS from Porto on 15 Jul 2022, 14:09
Well all the expats they need to tanks to Boris to all this mess and is complete irresponsibility of not doing nothing for them . I'm Portuguese and my husband British and left the UK in 2018 and until know I didn't see anything done by the UK government in relation to the expats in therms of financial agreements with the EU it is a complete mess for anyone .
By Isabel Oliveira from Lisbon on 15 Jul 2022, 17:45
Why discriminate at under 60 years of age. I am 65 and this will not apply or me. What reason for age limitation?
By john from Lisbon on 19 Jul 2022, 19:36
UK driving licences vaild on same basis as licences emitted by EU member state until 31/12/2022 :
By ian Lee from Lisbon on 19 Jul 2022, 22:37
Hi everyone i want to know that i have an uae driving lic.but still have no residence of portugal i want to buy a car and make my insurance am i eligible to drive in portugal?
By Arslan Butt from Lisbon on 31 Jan 2023, 00:06
Has there been an updated version of this article addressing the number of concerns addressed below? One comment that states the IMT is still requiring licenses to be exchanged and that the difference between residents and tourists must be distinguished.
By Simon Wilkinson from Lisbon on 06 Jun 2023, 15:50