Winding road through Serra da Arrábida

When I first moved to Portugal, I was nervous about driving here. Portuguese drivers have a bad reputation plus I hadn’t driven for years and never on the right hand side of the road. Even so, I was determined to get a car so that I could take road trips around the country and quickly got used to the oddities of driving in Portugal.

If you’re considering buying or renting a car in Portugal, read on for practical driving tips that should prepare you for driving on Portuguese roads calmly and confidently.

Mockup of Portugal Road Trip Essentials, a travel guide to driving in Portugal
Get your complete guide to planning, preparing for and enjoying a driving holiday in Portugal. This comprehensive ebook contains all the tips from this article plus advice for renating a car, preparation and practical trip information… all you need in one place!
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A particularly tricky roundabout in Coimbra with exits in the arches and cars parked where they shouldn't be.
A particularly tricky roundabout in Coimbra with exits in the arches and cars parked where they shouldn’t be.

Find out: How To Rent A Car In Portugal And Avoid Sneaky Extra Charges

Driving in Portugal Tips & Potential Hazards

1. Slip roads on and off dual carriageways are sometimes the wrong way around, which means that while you’re busy slowing down and indicating to pull off, new cars will be trying to enter the flow of traffic. I’m dumbfounded by the logic of this; any sane road designer would surely let existing drivers leave the road before adding more vehicles to the mix. This crazy situation isn’t standard but I’ve encountered it enough times to feel the need to warn you.

2. Slip roads are usually very short, meaning you need to slow down before you exit the main road to be able to negotiate the tight bends.

3. The use of indicators has never really caught on in Portugal so by all means use them as you would normally, just don’t expect anyone else to. Drivers will often stop in the middle of the road without warning so be prepared to slam on the brakes and wait for them to turn off.

4. No matter how hard you look for signs, you will probably find that they disappear on you just when you need them most. Or they will only become visible after you have passed the roundabout exit. Try to stay calm and be prepared to do full circles of roundabouts when in unfamiliar territory. Better still, use GPS, whether that’s a satnav device you bring with you or rent with the car, or an app on your phone.

Note: Google Maps Navigation is usually pretty good but the GPS signal can and does cut out sometimes. I find it helpful to have a paper road mapas backup and to get the bigger picture when route planning.

The 2023 Spain and Portugal Michelin Road Map may be overkill for a short break but if you plan on doing a lot of driving in either of these countries, it’s the best map on the market.

If you are going to be driving in just one specific region of Portugal, look out for Turinta maps in BP petrol stations and Bertrand bookstores.

More people are driving electric/hybrid cars nowadays but re-charging points are still slim on the ground. Go to this site for an up to date map of what’s avaliable (signing up is recommended to get all information).

5. If you are relying on road signs, be aware that at night, many of them don’t show up in the dark unless you shine full beam headlights on them.

6. In rural areas, don’t be surprised to find a car stopped in the middle of the road and the occupants catching up with local gossip. They will usually wrap up their conversation and drive off when they see you, but may need a little encouragement in the form of a gentle beep.

7. Another rural practice, especially in villages with single track roads, is for people to stop the car in the middle of the road and leave it there while they visit friends or family, even if there is a proper space to park a bit further up the road. If your path is blocked by an abandoned car, honk loudly and someone will come out and move it so that you can pass then return it to its previous spot.

8. Just because you would normally wait for a gap in the traffic before pulling out, you can’t expect that from everyone else. It’s not uncommon to be forced to slow down because someone has pulled out in front of you rather than wait for you to pass.

9. Another symptom of impatient drivers in Portugal is the tendency to ride your bumper. There’s often little respect for safe stopping distances and some drivers seem to think that they can drive through you. I find it extremely stressful but the only thing you can do is to continue driving safely and try your best to ignore them.

Mockup of Portugal Road Trip Essentials, a travel guide to driving in Portugal
Get your complete guide to planning, preparing for and enjoying a driving holiday in Portugal. This comprehensive ebook contains the most important tips from this article plus advice for renting a vehicle, preparation and practical trip information… all you need in one place!

10. If you have got a tail hugger, they won’t hang around for long. At the first dotted line in the road (see #11), they’ll be off like a shot, overtaking you and six other cars on a blind bend. It’s scary stuff so I usually pull back a little to a) give myself extra stopping time if there is a crash or b) let them duck back in before they hit the oncoming truck.

11. Unbroken white lines are not to be crossed, especially not double ones, which means that if you want to turn left onto a road with double white lines, you can’t. You have to turn right into the direction of traffic and use the next roundabout to change direction. If you ignore this rule and turn left, you will be strongly tutted at by local pedestrians or fined by the police.

12. A lot of white lines on secondary roads desperately need repainting and it’s difficult to work out where the middle of the road is when you’re driving in the dark, especially when it’s raining. Go slowly.

13. Some local authorities seem to invest lots of money on building unnecessary roundabouts and none on pavements, which means that pedestrians are often forced to walk in the road. Some do it through choice. Either way, as a driver, you should be on the look out for people in unexpected places, especially during the annual pilgrimage to Fatima when groups of walkers take to the highways.

14. Zebra crossings are often on junctions, which means that you have very little time to register their existence and react if someone is trying to cross the road.

15. Speed limits are frequently ignored, except when the speed traffic lights are working properly. They operate on a sensor which is usually a few metres in front of the traffic lights so if you see flashing orange lights, you should make sure you’re doing no more than the speed limit as you pass them otherwise the traffic lights will turn red. Even if you manage to slow down in time, the lights could be triggered by someone speeding behind you, in which case you’ll just have to resign yourself to the wait.

16. Despite appearances, it’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless it’s hands free. Stopping your car in the middle of the road to take a call isn’t an option either, although many people don’t seem to realise this.

17. And although locals often use hazard lights as licence to double park, it’s not okay.

18. When you are parking in a street, your car must be parked facing the direction of travel.

19. Larger towns and cities are infested with self-appointed parking ‘helpers’ who will point out and wave you into available spaces, hoping for a tip. I get stressed out by parking in the public gaze so I drive by and try to find somewhere to park in private. If you do use their ‘services’, don’t feel obliged to give them money unless you feel it’s deserved.

20. It’s not unusual to find cars and coaches parked on roundabouts but please don’t join them; it’s not just stupid, it’s illegal.

21. Roundabouts may have lanes but don’t expect anyone to use them properly. Always give way to drivers already on the roundabout, whichever lane they are in and don’t expect the lanes to merge into exits as they do in the UK. You have to actively switch lanes in Portugal otherwise you’ll just end up driving in circles!

No one will indicate either so play it safe and only pull out when you are certain that there are no cars to your left. Even if you do see a flashing orange light, it’s best to ignore it and wait to see what the driver actually decides to do.

It’s now illegal to use the outside lane of roundabouts unless you intend to leave at the next exit. In practice, this means you need to be extra careful as not everyone will obey the law.

Here’s a useful video.

22. Most of the motorways (‘A’ roads with blue signs) are now toll roads. If you haven’t got a special electronic device fitted to your car, make sure you don’t drive through the ‘Via Verde’ channel as you will be charged for the entire stretch of motorway when you leave because you won’t have a ticket to prove where you entered the toll road. It cost me €50 so don’t let it happen to you!

23. An increasing number of toll roads don’t have toll booths and you are charged as you drive through a metal structure fitted with cameras. To pay these tolls you either need an electronic device or you’ll have to pay at the post office a few days later if you’re driving a Portuguese-registered vehicle. This is not practical if you are only here on holiday.

Car rental companies have to offer you the chance to hire a device, which makes the whole thing much easier – more details here. I’d recommend buying your own (from Via Verde or the post office) if you’re moving to Portugal or renting one for extended stays.

If you’re driving a foreign-registered vehicle, you can register your credit card details online or at an Easytoll machine on any motorway coming into the country as you cross the border from Spain. Or buy a prepaid toll card and top it up if needed.

Get more information about these options and which roads are affected on the Portugal Tolls website.

24. You need to carry your documents and certain safety equipment with you such as a safety triangle and reflective jackets.

In order to rent a vehicle in Portugal you’ll need to have a full drivers licence that’s been valid for 2 years (minimum 1 year). If your license was not issued in an EU country, you may need to get an International Drivers’ Licence before you leave home, although you can order one online in a couple of hours for spur of the moment road trips.

See a list of countries from which licences are accepted.

There are rules and restrictions about driving with children, e.g. needing a booster seat, so you should read up on all the legal requirements here.

For residents in Portugal, if you haven’t got a Cartão de Cidadão, you’ll need to carry your Contribuinte card with you as well as your ID and the usual paperwork. 

25. Not all Portuguese drivers are speed freaks. If there is a line of impatient drivers in front of you on a country road, chances are they’re stuck behind an Aixam. These pesky little cars have the power of a quad bike so can’t go very fast. You don’t even need to pass your Highway Code exam to drive one.

Personally, I think they’re a liability. Impatient drivers get fed up of crawling along at 40 kilometres per hour and take even more ridiculous risks in order to get past them and be on their way. If you are patiently waiting for a safe opportunity to pass an Aixam, keep an eye on the drivers behind you who might not wait their turn.

Aixam car
Aixam car

Don’t let this list put you off driving in Portugal!

It can be frustrating at times but with patience and practice it soon becomes second nature and it’s worth it to be able to get to places where the buses simply don’t go, at least not at weekends!

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25 Essential Tips for Driving In Portugal With Confidence
25 Essential Tips for Driving In Portugal With Confidence

 

Driving over bridge. 25 Essential Tips for Driving In Portugal With Confidence
25 Essential Tips for Driving In Portugal With Confidence

94 Comments

  1. So if I understand this correctly, I am over 60 and have a valid drivers license from the US but will still need an international driver’s license due to my age?

  2. I just spent 10 days driving round Portugal 3200km no problems it is so much easier than being stuck on the M25 or M1 its a complete doddle can’t see why anyone may find it a problem, mind you I didn’t drive into Lisbon don’t like traffic jams

  3. Hi Julie, thanks for this and your other highly informative posts. I particularly agree with the first point about slip roads, puzzling and dangerous! I’ve also come across places where two slip roads joining a major road come together, which is unexpected and alarming!

  4. what is the parking priority rule for reversing out of a parking space?

    1. I don’t understand your question

  5. I’m American, and I can only say they don’t call it the “right side” for nothing.

  6. this is a very valuable post for me

  7. Hired a car for 3 weeks in Portugal, UK driver, Horrendous driving, tail gated the whole time, undertook many times cut off many times saw 5 accidents in the 3 weeks, overtaken on single solid lines, speeding, while on roundabouts the fly onto them nearly colliding with me. Also on the roundabouts you are not safe, this is the worst area for driving , and possibly the most likely to have a collision as 4 of the five accidents I encountered were on roundabouts..cutting in cutting you off.I drove within the speed limit, snot slow, if 50 klm I drove at about 48 klm same with 60 and 70 and 90 always about 2 klm below limit. peed limits dont apply to natives, crazy driving. Suggest full CDW, all inclusive insurance. Bring your dash cam a must, video do not lie. Also my sat nav went down had to rely on google on my phone for maps, you can avoid the A22 toll road easy using the 125 and 124. and the scenery is better..Left the car back early couldnt handle the driving anymore.

  8. As a Portuguese, I have to feel flattered by some of the comments from Adam, though I also understand some of the points from Julie and I have to stay that the overall content of this website is quite positive about Portugal. We like to hear it. A bit more education on best practices will not hurt, and this includes drivers and authorities. I do not compare countries; I may compare practices and try encouraging the good examples. I like the way roundabouts are marked in the UK, in a spiral configuration and I have commented that already a few times. I also get very annoyed by drivers that stick to the back of my car. In any case, Coimbra, which is shown in the pictures, is a place where people drive in a rather educated manner and for a southern European place is quite exceptional. Definitely better than the traffic jungle of Lisbon.

    Maybe one of the nice things about the Portuguese, which I do not see often outside borders, is that we can be quite critical also about ourselves. Once I asked a German couple that settled in Portugal, why here and not any of the other countries along their way. Their answer was that the Portuguese are not arrogant. I hope it says like that for many years to come but there are many aspects where we can be EVEN BETTER. Thanks to both of you.

    1. Thank you, António, for taking the time to comment and add your insights.

  9. I suggest you to take the ferry, you will have a unique view over Lisbon, from the river, and is rather relaxing

  10. Actually both, please let us know your thoughts as to driving in Alentejo , where to go and things to watch out.
    Thanks
    Vivian

  11. Hi Julie: Actually both. Thanks

  12. I just discovered your website today, and became a subscriber – so much helpful information!
    My husband and I are coming to the Algarve for 3 months, starting the end of this October, and we’ll be staying all over, from Lagos to Tavira, to truly explore and find a good fit for future stays. We were hoping to utilize public transportation as much as possible, but realize we’ll have to rent a car for at least part of the time. I believe Uber has been banned in Portugal, but was hoping to find out more about hiring a semi-regular driver, if we can afford it. Do you have any advice about that option? Thanks so much, Kathi

    1. As far as I’m aware, Uber is still operating in key areas in Portugal, i.e. Algarve, Lisbon and Porto. Otherwise, you might be better off talking to local taxi drivers once you’re there and finding one you like.

  13. Hello Julie: My husband and I will be visiting Lisbon and the Alentejo region on early October. We plan to rent a car at the airport on our last day in Lisbon and then return it from Estremoz (4 days in Alentejo) Do you have particular suggestions for driving on that area?
    Thanks!

    1. Do you mean as in where to go or what to watch out for?

  14. Hi Julie,

    Great post. Have decided to rent a car for one day in order to get Arrabida Iheard it’s a lovely drive. We want to avoid the worse traffic when leaving Lisbon, just wondered if you knew what time rush hour traffic gets busy? We were hoping if we left early enough we could miss the traffic.

    Many thanks,

    Stephen

    1. The absolute worst times for midweek traffic are 8-9 am and 6-7 pm and the best times are between 11 am and 3 pm. That said, most of the traffic will be heading in the opposite direction to you, assuming you’re staying in Lisbon.

Over to you. Please share your thoughts in a comment.