How to Get a Portuguese Driving Licence in 2026

Getting a Portuguese driving licence does not always mean starting from zero or paying for a full driving-school course. Foreign licence holders may qualify for an exchange, beginners can follow the standard driving-school route, and a new law allows eligible learners to practise with a qualified tutor under specific conditions.

Portugal’s mobility authority, the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT), sets the requirements for these routes, while a law that took effect on 5 July 2026 changed how some learner drivers can complete their practical training. Here is what the rules mean in everyday language.

Already have a foreign driving licence? Start here

If you already hold a driving licence from another country, your first step should be to check whether Portugal recognises it.

You may not need to take another driving test. The answer depends on where your licence was issued, whether it is still valid and whether you have become a resident of Portugal.

According to the IMT’s official guidance, foreign licences fall into several groups.

If your licence was issued in the EU or EEA

People with a valid licence from an European Union (EU) country or the European Economic Area (EEA) can generally drive in Portugal until the expiry date shown on their licence.

However, they must register their licence with the IMT after establishing residence in Portugal if the document has no expiry date. This registration must be completed within 60 days of establishing residence.

Exchanging an EU or EEA licence for a Portuguese one is also possible, subject to the applicable requirements.

If your licence was issued in Brazil, the UK, the US or another recognised country

Portugal has special recognition rules for licences from certain countries, including eligible countries covered by the OECD/CPLP arrangements.

For example, the IMT lists countries such as Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan and Switzerland among those covered by relevant arrangements.

Under this route, a foreign licence may be used in Portugal even after the holder becomes a resident, provided the licence meets all the conditions. These include being valid, being issued or renewed within the previous 15 years, and belonging to a holder who is under 60 years old.

These conditions do not mean that every licence from every listed country automatically qualifies. The issuing country must meet the relevant recognition requirements, and the licence must not be suspended, cancelled or otherwise disqualified.

There is also an important difference between being allowed to drive with a foreign licence and exchanging it for a Portuguese licence. If you need a Portuguese licence to obtain another category or meet a specific professional requirement, you may need to complete an exchange even when your foreign licence is recognised for ordinary driving.

What if your country has different recognition rules?

For licences issued by countries covered by the relevant international conventions or bilateral recognition arrangements, the IMT explains the following deadlines after residence authorisation:

• First 90 days: You may continue driving with your foreign licence, but you must submit your exchange application.
• After 90 days and up to two years: You may still apply for an exchange under this route, but you can no longer drive using the foreign licence.
• After two years: You must pass a practical driving examination to exchange the licence.

These deadlines apply to the relevant recognition route, not every foreign licence.

For licences from countries that are not covered by the applicable conventions, Portugal does not recognise the licence for driving. The holder may still apply for an exchange, but the IMT requires both a theory test and a practical test for each relevant category.

Official source: IMT — Foreign driving licences.

How to exchange a foreign licence

If you qualify for an exchange, you should check the IMT’s requirements before booking driving lessons or examinations.

Depending on your licence and country, the application may require:

• A valid foreign driving licence.
• Identification and proof of residence in Portugal.
• A medical assessment, with the certificate submitted electronically by the doctor.
• A certificate confirming the authenticity of the foreign licence and the categories it covers.
• A certified translation if the licence is not in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish.
• A psychological assessment if you are exchanging heavy-vehicle categories.

The exact document list depends on your situation, so applicants should follow the IMT’s instructions for their specific country.

The IMT may also ask applicants to attend an appointment after submitting their application. Do not assume that submission alone means your Portuguese licence has been issued or that you can continue driving if your foreign licence is no longer valid for use in Portugal.

Never had a driving licence? Here is the normal route

If you have never held a licence, the usual route for a car licence is to enrol in a Portuguese driving school and pass the required examinations.

The ordinary car licence is known as category B, and the minimum age is 18. Applicants must also meet the residence and medical fitness requirements and must not be subject to a legal ban on obtaining a licence.

The process is straightforward:

Step 1: Register with a driving school.

You will generally need identification, a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and an electronic medical certificate. The school will explain any additional documents required for your circumstances.

Step 2: Learn the theory.

You must learn Portuguese traffic rules, road signs, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices and other subjects covered by the theory examination.

Step 3: Pass the theory examination.

You must demonstrate that you understand the rules of the road before proceeding through the required examination process.

Step 4: Complete practical training.

You learn to control the vehicle, manoeuvre safely, respond to traffic and drive according to Portuguese road rules.

Step 5: Pass the practical examination.

Once you have met the legal training requirements, you can take the practical test.

Step 6: Obtain your licence.

After successfully completing the required examinations, the licence can be issued through the authorised process.

The IMT publishes the category B requirements, application procedure and official examination fees on its car and light-vehicle licence page.

Can you learn with an experienced driver instead of a school instructor?

Yes, but Portugal’s 2026 law does not allow beginners simply to skip driving-school registration.

Decree-Law No. 112/2026, published on 5 June and effective from 5 July 2026, updated the rules for supervised practical driving with a tutor.

Under this system, a learner seeking a category B licence must already be enrolled in a driving school. The learner may then choose to complete practical training with an eligible tutor instead of relying entirely on a professional driving instructor.

The tutor must meet specific legal requirements:

• Hold a category B licence issued in Portugal or another EU Member State for at least 10 years; or hold a licence recognised by Portuguese authorities for at least five years, provided it was originally issued at least 10 years earlier.
• Have no conviction for a road-traffic crime or serious or very serious road-traffic offence during the previous five years.
• Not be a driving instructor or driving examiner.
• Provide the supervision without payment.

Before practice begins, the driving school must notify the IMT electronically and identify the tutor.

There are also strict limits on how the learner can practise. Passengers are not permitted, and the learner cannot drive on motorways or equivalent roads during tutor-supervised practice.

The vehicle’s compulsory insurance must cover damage caused by the learner. The tutor is also responsible for ensuring that practice takes place on suitable roads and at times when traffic is not too heavy.

Each tutor may supervise a maximum of five candidates in any 10-year period.

Can the learner take the exam without completing the usual practical lessons?

The new law allows candidates using the tutor route to put themselves forward for the practical examination after completing their practical training, subject to the applicable rules.

The candidate must wait 90 days from the school’s notification to the IMT before being put forward for the examination.

At the end of training, the learner can either put themselves forward for the examination or take a practical-skills assessment at their driving school. The school assessment helps identify whether additional practical lessons are needed.

If a candidate skips that assessment, puts themselves forward for the examination and fails, they must wait four months before making another independent examination application under that route.

The important point is that tutor-supported learning changes who can provide practical instruction. It does not create a general right to learn entirely alone, ignore theory requirements or drive on public roads with any experienced friend.

Official legal source: Decree-Law No. 112/2026 — Diário da República.

Which option should you choose?

Your best route depends on your current situation.

• You already have a foreign licence: Check the IMT’s recognition rules first. You may be able to exchange it without taking a new examination.
• You have never held a licence: Enrolling in a driving school and following the normal theory-and-practical examination route is the clearest option.
• You want to practise with a family member or experienced driver: Ask a driving school about the tutor system introduced in 2026. Make sure the tutor qualifies, the school notifies the IMT and the insurance covers the learner.
• Your foreign licence is from a country with limited recognition: Check whether the IMT requires theory and practical examinations before applying.

Before spending money, check the official fees and requirements for your specific application. Costs can include school tuition, medical assessments, examinations and licence issuance, and they vary depending on the route.

The bottom line: Check your route before paying

Portugal has made it possible for eligible category B learners to complete practical training with a qualified tutor, but the rules are more specific than simply practising with an experienced driver and booking an exam.

For foreign licence holders, the most important question is whether Portugal recognises the licence and whether it can still be used after residence is established. For beginners, the key decision is whether to follow the standard driving-school route or use the regulated tutor option.

Before driving or paying for lessons, check your situation directly with the IMT. A quick check of the issuing country, residence status and licence category can prevent unnecessary expenses, missed deadlines and the risk of driving without valid authorisation.