What are the car rules in Portugal?

General Portugal driving laws rules and regulations:
  • Driving in Portugal is on the right hand side of the road.
  • Overtaking is on the left hand side of the road.
  • Drivers must yield to disembarking tram passengers.
  • Seat belts when driving a hired car in Portugal are mandatory.




Driving in Portugal in 2026 requires strict adherence to both safety equipment laws and unique traffic regulations. It is mandatory to carry a reflective jacket and a warning triangle inside the passenger cabin; if you break down and step out of the car without the jacket, you can face an on-the-spot fine. You must drive on the right and overtake on the left. A specific Portuguese rule involves roundabouts: unless you are taking the very first exit, you must stay in the inner lanes and only move to the outer lane just before your exit. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, which is lower than in the US or UK, and police frequently use portable ATMs to collect immediate fines for violations. Speed limits are 50 km/h in cities, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on motorways (Autoestradas). Most motorways use electronic tolls; if your rental car doesn't have a "Via Verde" transponder, you must pay at a post office (CTT) within a few days. Finally, using a mobile phone without a hands-free kit or using any radar-detection device is a major offense with fines up to €2,500.

People Also Ask

Portuguese traffic lights follow the conventions of the Vienna agreement and so should be familiar to most drivers. You cannot turn right on a red light unless indicated and you should also be aware that many local drivers run red lights.

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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!

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In Portugal, the driving alcohol limit is 0.5 grams of alcohol for 1 liter of blood (0.5 g/l). Although this will depend on your weight and gender, it's said that drinking more than a beer could get you in trouble. Let's take a look at the alcohol limits and consequences for each. Loss of driving license for 1.2 g/l.

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