Most major cities in Portugal have a convenient and efficient public transportation system, but to get to know this beautiful and colorful country better, it is better to organize a flexible and leisurely road trip. Learn more about the peculiarities of traffic rules, the most common fines and the cost of toll roads in Portugal

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In Portugal, owning a car is not a privilege, but a real necessity. Very often, the infrastructure of small towns with turquoise coasts or unique architectural masterpieces is built in such a way that you can only get around them by car. 

In this article, we will answer the main questions about getting around Portugal by car.

We will also tell you how easy it is to track and pay fines in Ukraine and EU countries.

Are traffic rules in Portugal different from those in Ukraine?

Traffic in Portugal is right-hand drive, but you can overtake cars only on the left. The exception is highways with several lanes.

Vehicles moving through roundabouts have the right of way. If there are no stop signs or traffic lights, cars on the right have the right of way. Turning right on a red traffic light is prohibited, except when the green arrow is flashing.

It is forbidden to cross white lines or double white lines. To turn left, you must drive to the next exit on the right, return to the lane of the opposite direction and drive to the desired exit.

Drivers and front seat passengers must wear seat belts. The use of cell phones, headphones and other gadgets is allowed only in speakerphone mode.

The alcohol limit is 0.5 grams per liter of blood. Drug tolerance in Portugal is zero.

A round white or blue sign with a red circle and a diagonal cross prohibits parking. Yellow and red markings on curbs also prohibit parking. 

On one-way roads, you must park in the same direction as traffic. Parking within 5 meters of a junction, 25 meters before and 5 meters after a bus stop, or anywhere within 6 meters of a tram stop is prohibited. Parking in the middle of the street with the hazard lights on is prohibited, although locals often violate this rule.

In the previous article, we talked about the peculiarities of traffic rules, fines and toll roads in Croatia.

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Speed limits in Portugal

Let's take a look at the most common speed limits for vehicles in Portugal:

1. 120 km/h is the maximum speed allowed for passenger cars on highways;

2. 100 km/h - the maximum speed limit on roads intended for cars and motorcycles;

3. 90 km/h - the maximum permitted speed on other public roads;

4. 50 km/h - the maximum speed limit in settlements.

Always pay attention to the signs of restrictions, because each rule may have its exceptions. You can also use special applications for this purpose.

Traditional radars are used to control the speed of traffic in Portugal. In addition to radars that are constantly in one place (and very often may not work at all), there are also radars that come across by chance. There is also a third type of radar that is installed on cars that are not marked as police cars or in any other way. These are the so-called “invisible police”.

Find out more about the common violations that can leave you without a license and how to drive comfortably in Germany.

The most common fines for traffic violations in Portugal

Even for an improperly parked car in Portugal, you can get a fine of 30 to 300 euros. Let's consider other common reasons and amounts of fines:

1. Exceeding the speed limit - a fine of 60 to 250 euros;

2. Unfastened seat belt - a fine of 120 to 600 euros;

3. Failure to use a reflective vest when required - from 120 to 600 euros;

4. Using a cell phone while driving - a fine of 250 to 1250 euros;

5. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - a fine of 250 to 2,500 euros;

6. Driving a car with a noise level higher than the permissible level - from 30 to 300 euros.

For traffic violations, drivers in Portugal face not only monetary fines, but also points deductions. This can lead to the loss of a driver's license.

In the previous article, we talked about all the important aspects of driving and traffic in the Czech Republic.

It is also worth considering the restrictions on driving while intoxicated:

1.  0.5 grams per 1 liter of blood for “ordinary” drivers who are not included in the list mentioned in the next paragraph;

2. 0.2 g/l and above - for novice drivers (during the first 3 years after obtaining a driver's license), drivers of emergency vehicles, drivers of vehicles transporting children and youth under 16 years of age, taxi drivers, truck drivers, and drivers of dangerous goods.

Fines for drunken driving can reach 2500 euros and deprivation of a driver's license for up to 2 years. Therefore, it is much better to refrain from driving after consuming alcoholic beverages. Value your personal safety and the safety of others.

We will tell you about the peculiarities of traveling in Lithuania by car.

Toll roads in Portugal

Portugal has a fairly wide network of toll roads with high quality pavement. The maximum permissible speed on them is 120 km/h. Signs with a blue background are installed near such roads, and the letter A is indicated next to the road number.

Payment in Portugal does not depend on time, but on kilometers. The country has 2 unrelated toll collection systems. The first is the old-style one, focused on cash and card payments to the operator. The second is electronic, new, and is planned to gradually replace the outdated one. You can pay here in the following ways:

1. Viaverde is a reader that can be rented (about 6 euros per week). A bank card is linked to it (Multibanco payment method is suitable), and then the distance traveled is paid for;

2. EASYToll is a special service that connects the card to the license plate. Valid for up to a month, the fee is deducted directly from the account;

3. TOLLServic is a special vignette-ticket that allows limited travel on certain highways, mainly transit ones. It is the best option for tourists who have come to the country for a short time.

A map of the largest toll roads in Portugal is presented below:

The cost of traveling on toll roads is affected by the distance traveled, vehicle dimensions, number of axles, and even the chosen payment method. Let's look at the estimated prices for toll roads in Portugal for passenger cars in 2024:

1. Lisbon - Porto - 22.40 €;

2. Castro Marim towards Lagos - 6.3 €;

3. Porto - Valencia - 9.15 €;

4. Vilar Formosa - Albergaria - 10.25 €;

5. Lisbon - Leiria - 9.7 €;

6. Lisbon - Valencia - 31.10 €;

7. Porto - Bragança - 7.85 €;

8. Viana - A41 - 1.3 €;

9. Marateca - Coimbra - 8.10 €.

In addition, some individual sections require an additional fee:

1. Marão Tunnel - cars 2.20, larger cars 3.85 and trucks 4.90-5.45 euros;

2. Suspension bridge25 de Abril - 1.90, 4.15 and 5.65-7.35 euros respectively;

3. Vasco da Gama Bridge - 3.05-6.90 euros.

Required documents and insurance for entering Portugal

To enter Portugal by car you must have:

1. Foreign passport;

2. Driver's license;

3. Registration documents for the vehicle;

4. International insurance policy “Green Card”.

The absence of any of these documents may be grounds for refusal of entry. In the absence of mandatory international insurance, the driver may be fined and, in some cases, banned from further entry into the country. 

You can apply for a Green Card quickly and easily on the Visit Ukraine portal. Follow the link and apply for an insurance policy for the required period in just a couple of minutes. The finished insurance will be sent to your email immediately.

We remind you! Understanding the traffic rules, fines and peculiarities of toll roads in Spain will help you avoid trouble and make your trip comfortable and safe. Read more about what a driver needs to know before traveling to Spain.

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Darya Rogova is the head of the Visit Ukraine insurance department

A Green Card is not only a mandatory document for traveling abroad by car, but also a guarantee of financial security and safety for the driver and passengers. To avoid risks and fines, take out international insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal. We cooperate only with reliable insurance agents.