Can I drive in Portugal with a foreign licence?
Depends on the licence's origin: an EU one is valid until it expires; an OECD/CPLP one needs no exchange; others must be exchanged at the IMT. The basis is the Highway Code, DL 138/2012 and Law 37/2022, run by the IMT. EU/EEA licences are valid until the printed expiry date — no mandatory exchange. OECD/CPLP licences (Brazil, USA, UK, Canada, etc.) need no exchange to drive in Portugal, even with residence, if conditions are met. The rest must be exchanged at the IMT after taking up residence (usually within 90 days of obtaining residence; after 2 years, an exam is required). Since 2026, the exchange is online only. The exchange costs €30. In short: it depends on the country.
📋 The rules
- EU/EEA licence: valid until it expires
- OECD/CPLP (Brazil, USA, UK): no exchange
- Others: exchange at the IMT after taking up residence
- Register residence at the IMT within 60 days
- Exchange online only since 2026; costs €30
🔓 Exceptions
- OECD/CPLP exemption requires under 60 and licence under 15 years old
- The OECD/CPLP exemption only covers driving in Portugal, not the EU
- Tourists: a valid licence (or international permit) suffices while visiting
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The exchange costs €30 (with an online discount ~€27); registering residence is free. Driving without a valid or recognised licence (lack of legal authorisation) is generally fined and, in aggravated cases, can be a crime (prison up to 1 year or a fine). Not registering residence within 60 days is also an offence. Beware the Brazil confusion: "Brazilians (or Americans) must exchange immediately or can't drive" is false — Brazil is CPLP and the USA is OECD, both on the no-exchange list since 1 August 2022, able to drive on the original licence (meeting the age and validity conditions). The must-exchange rule applies to countries outside the OECD/CPLP. To drive here: check whether your licence is on the exemption list, register residence and, if needed, exchange at the IMT.
📎 Official sources
- IMT — exchanging a foreign licence →
- Law 37/2022 / gov.pt — OECD and CPLP licences →
- ePortugal — exchange a foreign licence →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I drive in Portugal with my foreign licence?
Yes, as a rule, but it depends on the origin. EU and EEA licences are valid until the printed expiry date. OECD and CPLP country licences can be used without exchange. The rest can only be used for a period after taking up residence, then must be exchanged at the IMT.
Do Brazilians have to exchange their licence?
No, as a rule. Brazil belongs to the CPLP and, since 1 August 2022, OECD and CPLP licences don't need exchanging to drive in Portugal, even with residence, provided conditions are met, like being under 60 and holding a licence under 15 years old. The USA, in the OECD, is in the same case.
How do I exchange a foreign licence?
The exchange is done with the IMT and, since January 2026, is submitted exclusively online, on the dedicated portal, with the medical certificate filed electronically. It costs about €30, with an online discount. For categories C, D and E, a psychological assessment is also required.
Do I have to register my residence?
Yes. Anyone taking up residence in Portugal must register it with the IMT within 60 days, which also applies to EU licence holders. Registration is free, but its absence is an offence. It's from taking up residence that the deadlines for exchanging licences that require it start running.
What if I drive without exchanging when I should?
Driving without a valid or recognised licence, when the exchange was already mandatory, amounts to lack of legal authorisation, fined and, in aggravated cases, possibly a crime, with prison up to 1 year or a fine. So it's important to confirm in time whether the licence needs exchanging and meet the IMT deadlines.
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