Driving in Portugal
If you are visiting Portugal as a temporary visitor (up to six months) you may drive using your current UK licence, international licence or the new pink EU licence which some people have been issued with. Once you have become a resident in Portugal if you have an EU licence this is valid, otherwise you must obtain a Portuguese licence. You do this by applying at the local traffic department, Direccao de Viacao (your town hall will be able to direct you to the relevant place), and producing all relevant documentation (personal and vehicular, and don't forget to take photocopies as well). You will be required to pass a Portuguese driving test.
Some organisations are recommending that people photocopy the extract below and keep it with their driving documents, as recent confusion surrounding driving licences has led to this clarification:
Extrato do Guia emitido pelo Ministerio da Administracao Interns, Direcqao Geral de Viacao, datado 5 de Agosto 1996. 'A partir do dia 1 de Julho de 1996, sera adoptado um "modelo normalizado" de carts de conducao com vista a facilitar a sua compreensao e reconhecimento mutuo. Qualquer carts de condugao emitada por um Estado-Membro e reconhecida pelos outros Estado-membros, independentemente de se tratar de uma carts recente ... ou de uma carts antiga, desde que se encontre dentro do seu prazo de valididade. Por conseguinte, deixa de ser obrigado a trocar a sua carts de conducao original por uma carts do Estado-Membro de acolhimento quando se instalar nesse outro Estado-Membro.'
Translated, the text above means: Extract of the Directive issued by the Internal Administration Ministry, Driving Licence Centre, dated 5 August 1996. 'As of 1 July 1996, a "standard model" for driving licences will be adopted so as to facilitate understanding and mutual recognition. Any driving licence issued by a Member State is to be recognised by other Member States, regardless of the age of the licence as long as it is valid. Consequently, it is now no longer compulsory to exchange an original driving licence for a licence issued by the new Member State when one chooses to reside in that new Member State.' Different regulations apply to non-EU citizens.
Insurance
You can obtain the international insurance certificate (green card) from any insurers before you leave the UK and this will cover you whilst in Portugal . Ordinary car insurance is also easily obtainable once within the country, from any insurance company (companhia de seguros). The best thing would be to enquire where other ex-pats have obtained theirs. For shorter-term cover, check with your own insurers for extended warranty for Europe , especially for roadside recovery, which can add hundreds of pounds to the cost of breakdown problems. The AA reckons that one in 26 motorists need breakdown assistance while abroad. The important thing to check is that you are covered for third-party damage.
Tax
If you are bringing in your own car, then it must display a current tax disc. In Portugal car tax is only applicable to new vehicles or those recently imported and depends on engine size. The car tax year runs from January to December. The media usually announce when car tax stamps are available; they can be bought from certain shops for a short time, then from the Financas offices.
MOT
Inspections are needed for cars over 4 years old, according to when they were first registered. Inspections should then be every other year, then annually when the car is over 8 years old. Tests must be carried out only at authorised garages offering the IPO - Inspeccao Periodica Obrigatoria.
Registration Documents
Again, if you are bringing in your own car, you must have the relevant, valid registration (ownership) papers. If you are borrowing a friend's car you should have a letter of authorisation to drive it, which ideally should have been officially recognised by the Portuguese Consulate General.
Always check with the Consulate General if in any doubt as to your position.
