How to Exchange a Foreign Driving Licence in Portugal

Can a foreigner get a driving license in Portugal?

Yes, foreigners can obtain a driving license in Portugal. However, the rules depend on how long you stay and where your license was issued.  

If you’re visiting Portugal as a tourist or for a short stay, you can drive with your foreign driver’s license for up to six months (roughly 185 days). This applies if your license is from a country that Portugal recognizes (through international conventions or bilateral agreements).

However, if your license is not from an EU country or is not in English or Portuguese, you should also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your license. 

If you plan to live in Portugal, you can use your foreign license for up to 90 days. During this period, you’re expected to start the process of exchanging your foreign license for a Portuguese one through the IMT (Portugal’s road transport authority). After 90 days of residency, your foreign license is no longer valid for driving in Portugal.

Who needs to exchange their license in Portugal?

Residents 

If you’ve established residency in Portugal and intend to live in the country, you need to exchange your foreign license. However, the obligations may vary by the issuing country of the license. 

EU/EEA license holders

If you hold a driver’s license issued by an EU member state or an EEA country, you can continue driving in Portugal with it until it expires. But you must register your foreign EU/EEA license with the IMT (Institute for Mobility and Transport) within 60 days of moving to Portugal. This registration is essentially a notification of your new address. 

If your EU-issued license has a lifetime validity or no expiration date, you’ll need to exchange it for a Portuguese license within 2 years of becoming a resident. This is because Portugal requires licenses to have an expiration date. 

Non-EU licenses (Convention signatory or Bilateral agreement countries) 

If your license was issued outside the EU/EEA but by a country that either has a bilateral recognition agreement with Portugal or is a signatory to the international road traffic conventions (Geneva 1949 and/or Vienna 1968), you can use that license in Portugal under certain conditions.

• Once you have your residence permit is issued, you can continue driving with your foreign license for the first 90 days of residency. However, you must also apply for a driver’s license exchange to a Portuguese license during that period.
   
• After 90 days of residency, you can no longer drive with your foreign license in Portugal. But you can still apply to exchange it for up to 2 years from the start of your residency. 
   
• If you miss the 2-year window and only decide to exchange after 2 years of residency, you will need to pass a Portuguese practical driving test to obtain the license exchange. 

Non-EU licenses from non-signatory countries

If your driver’s license was issued by a country that is not a party to the international road traffic conventions and has no license-exchange agreement with Portugal, then your foreign license is not valid for driving in Portugal once you are a resident. You’ll have to convert it to a Portuguese license.

To do this, you will need to pass a driving test (including a theory and practical driving test for each category of vehicle your license covers) to qualify for a Portuguese driver’s license. This means you must meet the same requirements as a new driver in Portugal.

Foreign licenses with lifetime validity (No expiry date)

If you are a resident in Portugal and hold a foreign license that has no expiry date, you’ll have to exchange it for a Portuguese license within 2 years of settling in Portugal. This rule applies regardless of whether the license is from the EU or outside the EU. 

Driving licenses from OECD/CPLP countries

Portugal introduced special provisions in August 2022 that affect certain countries, specifically those in the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) and OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). 

Countries in this category include: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique (CPLP countries), and the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey, Israel, among others. (This is not an exhaustive list, but a range of CPLP/OECD countries that Portugal has now aligned with.) 

If you are from one of these countries and you become a resident in Portugal, you no longer need to exchange your foreign driver’s license for a Portuguese one. But you must meet these conditions.

• Age requirement: You must be under 60 years old. (Once you turn 60, or if you are already 60 or above, you would need to exchange the license.)
   
• Appropriate category age: You must meet the minimum age in Portugal for the category of vehicle you are licensed to drive. (For example, if Portugal requires drivers to be 18 for a car and 21 for a heavy vehicle, you must satisfy those age requirements for your license categories.)
   
• License validity: Your foreign license must be valid (not expired) at the time of use.
   
• License issuance recency: It must be no more than 15 years since your license was issued or last renewed. 
   
• International recognition: The country that issued your license should be a signatory to an international road traffic convention (1949 Geneva and/or 1968 Vienna) or have a bilateral driving license agreement with Portugal.
   
• Clean record: Your foreign license must not be suspended, seized, revoked, or banned in the issuing country or Portugal.

If all of the above conditions are met, you can legally drive in Portugal with your original license from those specific countries indefinitely. 

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Driving licenses from countries without agreements

If your foreign driving license is from a country without a license exchange agreement, you’ll need to exchange it for a Portuguese one. Examples of countries without license exchange agreements include India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Nepal, and Bangladesh. To exchange your foreign license, you’ll need to pass the theory and practical driving tests before getting your Portuguese license.

Step-by-step guide to exchanging a foreign license in Portugal

If you're living in Portugal and your foreign license needs to be exchanged, here's a step-by-step guide to help you through it:

1. Check if you're eligible

Before starting, confirm whether your country has a license exchange agreement with Portugal or if you’ll need to take a driving test. Some countries have reciprocal agreements with Portugal, allowing for direct exchange, while others may require you to take a driving assessment. 

Additionally, check to see if you meet the residency and age requirements. The general rule is that you must exchange your license within 90 days of establishing residency. 

2. Schedule an appointment with IMT

Book an appointment at your local IMT office (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes), either online via the IMT website or in person at the nearest IMT branch. In some cases, your local city hall (Câmara Municipal) can also help guide you through the process. Many people prefer to have their appointment in person for faster processing. 

3. Submit required documents

Bring all the necessary documents to your appointment. You may need originals and photocopies, so it’s best to be prepared with both. During your appointment, you will need to submit the required documentation and pay the application fees.

4. Undergo medical and psychological evaluations (If required)

Depending on your age and the type of vehicle you're licensed to drive, you may need to submit an electronic medical certificate issued by a Portuguese doctor. You may also be required to take a psychological assessment if your license covers certain vehicle categories (like heavy-duty trucks or public transport).

5. Pay the applicable fees

The fee to exchange a foreign license is typically around €30, though it may vary depending on your case or additional documents needed.

6. Receive a temporary driving permit

Once your application is submitted, IMT will issue a temporary driving permit (called a guia). This allows you to legally drive in Portugal while your Portuguese license is being processed, which can take between 1 to 3 months. The temporary paper license you receive is only valid in Portugal. This means if you travel outside Portugal before you get your driving license, you cannot legally drive. In this case, keep a photo of your original license as a backup. 

Required documents for converting a foreign driver’s license in Portugal

• Valid foreign driving license: You must present your original valid foreign driver’s license. Make sure your license has clear issue and expiration dates. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to provide extra documents to prove when it was issued.
   
• Proof of identity: A valid passport or EU/EEA ID card. 
   
• Proof of residency in Portugal: This proves that you officially live in Portugal. It could be your residence permit (Autorização de Residência) or a certificate of residence from your local parish council (Junta de Freguesia). If you're newly arrived and still waiting for your residence permit, you can request a temporary proof of address from your Junta.
   
• Tax identification number (NIF): The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your Portuguese tax number and is required for almost every official process in the country. You can get your NIF at any local tax office (Finanças) or through a representative if you’re not yet registered.
   
• Electronic medical certificate: This is a mandatory health clearance submitted electronically by a licensed Portuguese doctor through the IMT system. It verifies that you're physically fit to drive.
   
• Psychological assessment certificate (for certain vehicles): If your license includes heavy-duty vehicles, buses, or professional driving categories, you’ll need a psychological evaluation done by an authorised psychologist in Portugal. Regular car drivers (Category B) don’t need this. It’s mostly for commercial or professional licenses.
   
• Certificate of authenticity: This document confirms that your foreign license is real and was issued by the proper authority in your home country. It often needs to come directly from your country’s transport or licensing agency.
   
• Certified translation: If your license isn’t in Portuguese or English, you must provide a certified translation. Translayte can help with this! We offer fast, certified driver’s license translations accepted by Portuguese authorities.
   

Note: Check with IMT for specific document requirements, as some countries may need additional certifications like an apostille.

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How Translayte can help you drive legally in Portugal

Translayte provides certified translation services for driver's license conversions in Portugal. Here's how we can assist you:

• Certified translations: We provide certified translations that include a signed statement attesting to accuracy and completeness, meeting Portuguese legal standards. This ensures that Portuguese authorities accept your driving license translation.
   
• Rapid turnaround: Our delivery time for certified translation is as little as 12 hours. You can also access our services on weekends and holidays.
   
• 24/7 support: At Translayte, you can access 24/7 multilingual assistance anytime via chat, email, SMS, phone, or WhatsApp.
   
• Global acceptance: Translayte's certified translations are recognised by governments, universities, and courts worldwide. 
   
• Transparent pricing: Our certified translation rates start from $58 per page, with no hidden charges. Before ordering online, you can also request a free quote for an accurate cost.

Choosing Translayte ensures that your driver’s license translation is accurate, compliant, and delivered promptly. 

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Processing time and fees

The processing time for exchanging an international driver's license in Portugal is usually around 1 to 3 months from the application date until you receive your new license. Many foreign residents get their Portuguese licence in roughly 2 months on average, though some have experienced longer waits (in a few cases over 3 months). 

The standard Portuguese driving licence exchange fee is about €30. This is the government fee paid to the IMT (road transport authority) for issuing your new Portuguese licence. The fee does not vary by region or by the type of licence you are exchanging. It’s also generally a flat rate regardless of age (unlike some licence renewal fees, which are discounted for seniors). 

In addition to the IMT processing fee, be prepared for a few additional costs related to the required documents and exams. These may include a medical certificate fee within the range of €20–€50 and a psychological evaluation fee, which typically costs around €45. 

Temporary driving permit

When exchanging a driving license in Portugal for foreigners, you hand in your foreign driving license to IMT and receive a temporary paper permit called a guia. This guia is valid for six months and lets you drive legally in Portugal while your new Portuguese driving licence is processed. 

Note that the guia works only inside Portugal. EU rules warn that provisional permits like this are usually not recognized in other countries. This temporary permit ensures you can keep driving in Portugal while waiting for your Portuguese driving license.

Language options for tests

When taking Portugal’s driving theory exam, you can request to take the test in a language you’re fluent in, especially if Portuguese is not your native language. 

IMT allows the theory test to be taken in English for the following categories: AM, A1, A2, A, B1, and B (scooters, motorcycles, small cars, etc.). So, whether you’re renewing or exchanging a license for a passenger car (Category B) or a motorcycle (Category A series), you can choose to take the test in English.

You must request the English language option when registering through your driving school or via the IMT test booking system. Make it clear early on, and your instructions will be provided in English.

While the theory test can be taken in English, the practical driving test (the on-road exam) is still conducted in Portuguese. The examiner will give basic driving commands in Portuguese, so it helps to have a minimal understanding of phrases like “turn left,” “hard right,” or “pull over.”

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Special considerations when converting a foreign driver’s license in Portugal

Dual nationals

Those holding Portuguese citizenship along with another nationality must follow the same exchange rules as any foreign resident. 

Portuguese regulations require that you establish legal residency in Portugal before you can exchange a foreign licence; citizenship alone is not enough. According to Portuguese laws, “For those who have dual nationality, it is mandatory to have residence in Portugal to request the exchange of the licence.”

As always, be sure to check with the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) or current Portuguese regulations if you have a unique situation. 

Licences without expiry dates

Some foreign licences have no printed expiry date or are issued for life. If your license is in this category, you must exchange it for a Portuguese driving license within two years of residence. 

Always verify whether this rule applies to your specific licence. If in doubt, contact the IMT or your consulate for the latest guidance.

Lost or stolen licences

If your foreign licence is lost or stolen after you move to Portugal, you can still apply for an exchange, but with special documentation. 

You will need a lost title certificate from the issuing country for your foreign license. Then, present that certificate instead of the original license when you want to exchange your international driving license for a foreign one. 

Always confirm the exact process with IMT or your embassy, since procedures (and fees) can change.

Return of the original license

When you exchange your license for a Portuguese one, you must hand over your original foreign license. The IMT will then forward that original licence back to the country that issued it. 

If you later travel back to your home country and need to use your old license, you can retrieve it by surrendering your Portuguese license to the local authorities at home. Generally, Portugal and your home country mutually recognize only one valid licence at a time, as required by EU traffic conventions.

Deadlines and penalties for converting a foreign driver’s license in Portugal

Most non-EU license holders

After you become a resident, you can drive on your foreign license for up to 90 days, but you must apply to exchange it during that period. From 90 days up to 2 years after residency, you may still apply for the exchange, but you cannot drive on a foreign license. After 2 years, the foreign license is no longer valid in Portugal.

Eligible countries (CPLP/OECD)

If your license is from an eligible country (such as a Portuguese-speaking CPLP country or an OECD member), you have up to two years after taking up residency to exchange it. After two years, the foreign license similarly becomes invalid, and you must take the Portuguese driving tests.

EU/EEA licenses

An EU or EEA license remains valid in Portugal without exchange. You only need to register your address in Portugal within 60 days of moving. But if you have a lifetime EU/EEA license, you must exchange it within 2 years of residency.

Missing the deadline means you lose the legal right to drive on your foreign license in Portugal. Additionally, it means that you must pass the Portuguese driving exams (both theory and practical) to get a Portuguese driving license. 

Get certified translation services for your foreign driver’s licence and other supporting documents. 

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