Portuguese driving license

Do You Need a Portuguese Driving License?

If you’re an EU/EEA citizen, your foreign license is valid in Portugal, but you might want to exchange it for a Portuguese license if you’re staying long-term. For non-EU citizens, the rules vary based on reciprocal agreements, but generally, you’ll need to exchange your foreign license within 90 days of residency or take the driving test.

Exchanging a Foreign Driving License

EU/EEA Residents:

• The process is simple. You need to submit a request at the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT), Portugal’s transport authority.
• Required documents: proof of residency, original license, identification, and medical certificate (if you’re 60+).

Non-EU Residents:

• Check if your country has a reciprocal agreement with Portugal. If so, you’ll follow a similar process as EU citizens.
• If not, you may need to take a Portuguese driving test, which includes both a theory exam and a practical test.