Portugal (PT)

Built-up areas (localidades): 50 km/h. Main roads outside localities: 90 km/h. Dual carriageways (estradas nacionais de 2 faixas): 100 km/h. Motorways (autoestradas): 120 km/h. Minimum motorway speed: 50 km/h. Speed cameras (radares) are common — both fixed and mobile. Temporary speed reductions near roadworks are electronically enforced.

0.5 g/L BAC (blood alcohol content) for general drivers. 0.2 g/L for drivers with less than 3 years experience, professional drivers, and taxi/uber drivers. Random breathalyser checks (alcootestes) are common, especially at night and during holiday periods.

Prohibited while driving unless hands-free. Holding a mobile phone while driving: €120–600 fine + 2 licence points. This is strictly enforced.

Mandatory for all occupants front and rear. Fine: €120–600 per unbelted person.

Children under 135 cm or under 12 years must use an approved child restraint system appropriate for their height/weight. Children under 135 cm may not travel in the front seat unless no rear seat exists. Fine for non-compliance: €120–600.

All vehicles must be registered with IMT. New vehicles registered by dealership. Used vehicles: transfer via IMT Online (imt-ip.pt) or at an IMT service centre. You receive a Documento Único Automóvel (DUA) — the single vehicle document combining registration and ownership. IUC (road tax) is paid annually to AT based on engine displacement and CO2 emissions. Update address on DUA when moving.

Seguro de Responsabilidade Civil Automóvel (RC Auto) is mandatory for all vehicles. This covers third-party damage and injury. Minimum cover: €6.07M for personal injury, €1.22M for property damage. Insurance certificate (título do seguro or declaração de seguro) must be in the vehicle at all times. Police check: if no valid insurance, immediate vehicle impoundment and fine €500–2,500. Comprehensive insurance (seguro contra todos os riscos) is optional but strongly recommended for newer vehicles.

IUC (Imposto Único de Circulação — road tax) is paid annually to AT. Amount depends on engine displacement (cilindrada), year of registration, and CO2 emissions. Electric vehicles pay reduced IUC. Payment via Portal das Finanças, Multibanco ATMs, or CTT. Failure to pay: surcharges (juros de mora) and enforcement proceedings by AT.

IPO (Inspeção Periódica Obrigatória — mandatory periodic vehicle inspection) is required: vehicles under 4 years old: first IPO at 4 years; then every 2 years until 7 years old; annually from 7 years old. Book at IPO stations (INOVA, SGS, DEKRA, APAVE — private concessionaires). Cost: €25–45. Failed IPO: defects classified as minor (pode circular), major (30 days to repair), or critical (immediate prohibition from driving). A sticker on the windscreen indicates IPO validity. IPO certificate required when selling a vehicle.

• •Cyclists must ride on the right side of the road or in designated cycle lanes.
• •Helmets: compulsory for cyclists under 18 in public spaces; strongly recommended for adults.
• •Lights (front white, rear red) mandatory at night or in poor visibility.
• •Riding on pedestrian pavements (passeios) is prohibited for adults in urban areas.
• •Cyclists may ride two abreast on roads with limited traffic but must ride single file in heavy traffic.
• •Minimum overtaking distance for vehicles: 1.5 metres when passing cyclists.
• •Mobile phones prohibited while cycling (same as driving).
• •Drink cycling: same BAC limits apply as for driving (0.5 g/L).

• •Lisbon is hilly — use an e-bike or take the metro/tram for uphill sections; cycling downhill is generally fine.
• •GIRA (Lisbon city bike scheme): €2/day or €15/year subscription; available at Lisbon transport app.
• •Porto flatter near the Douro riverside — good cycling corridor from Ribeira east toward Parque da Cidade.
• •Algarve has dedicated cycling routes along the coast (Via Algarviana).
• •Bring a quality lock — bicycle theft is common in urban areas.
• •GPSies and Komoot have well-documented Portuguese cycling routes including Ecovias.