Using Your EU Driver's Licence

You don't have to swap

EU/EEA driving licences are fully valid in Portugal until their natural expiry date. You can drive on your home licence indefinitely as long as you renew it abroad — though most expats find it simpler to swap once settled.

But you do need to register it

Within 60 days of becoming resident, register your foreign licence with the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes). It's free, online, and creates a Portuguese record so you can pay traffic fines, renew when needed, and avoid trouble at police checks.

• Register at imtt.pt → Conta IMT online
• Need: scan of licence (front + back), NIF, proof of address
• Free, processed in 5–10 working days

Swapping (optional but common)

If you'd rather hold a Portuguese carta de condução, IMT can issue one in exchange for your EU licence.

• Fee: €30
• No driving test, no theory test
• Processed in 2–4 weeks
• Your home country authority is notified automatically; the original is destroyed

Renewals

Once on a Portuguese licence, you renew at age 50, 60, 65, then every 2 years from 70. A medical certificate is required from age 50. Renewal costs €30 and is done online or at any IMT centre.