Driving Licence Exchange in Portugal
How to swap a UK or EU licence for a Portuguese one
Residents of Portugal who hold a driving licence issued by an EU member state or the United Kingdom are required to exchange it for a Portuguese licence within a set period of becoming resident. For UK licence holders, the exchange must be completed within 90 days of registering residency, following the post-Brexit bilateral agreement between Portugal and the UK. EU licence holders have a longer window but are still expected to exchange eventually, and the licence must be exchanged before it expires.
The exchange process is managed by the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes), which has offices in Faro and Portimao in the Algarve. The process is largely administrative and does not require retaking the driving test, provided the licence being exchanged is full and valid.
Documents required for the exchange include the original driving licence, a certified Portuguese translation of the licence (if it is not in Portuguese, English, French, or Spanish), a valid passport or identity card, proof of Portuguese residency (title de residencia), a medical fitness certificate (atestado medico) from a doctor or an approved medical centre, two passport photographs, and proof of NIF (tax number). The medical certificate must confirm fitness to drive and typically involves a basic vision and general health check. It costs approximately 30 to 50 euros.
Applications can be submitted at the IMT office in person, or in some cases online through the IMT website. Processing times vary considerably, ranging from a few weeks to several months. During the processing period, a receipt is issued which serves as a temporary driving authorisation. The original foreign licence is retained by the IMT and is forwarded to the issuing country; it is not returned to the applicant.
The Portuguese licence issued on exchange is a standard EU-format photocard licence, valid for 15 years for categories A and B (motorcycles and cars) for holders under 60 years of age. Holders aged 60 and over receive licences with shorter validity periods and more frequent medical renewals.
The total cost of the exchange, including the IMT fee, medical certificate, photographs, and any translation costs, is typically between 80 and 150 euros. Some relocation agencies and legal firms offer to handle the process for an additional service fee, which can be worthwhile given the bureaucratic nature of the procedure.
Common issues include delays in processing, confusion over document requirements, and the loss of higher category entitlements (such as trailer towing) if they are not clearly documented on the original licence. It is advisable to obtain a full licence check code or confirmation letter from the DVLA before surrendering a UK licence, as this provides evidence of all categories held.
Driving without exchanging your licence after the deadline is technically an offence, though enforcement is inconsistent. The greater risk is that insurance companies may refuse to honour a claim if you are involved in an accident while driving on a licence that should have been exchanged.
The Portuguese licence, once issued, must be carried when driving. Unlike the UK, where you are given time to present your licence at a police station, Portuguese police expect to see the licence during a roadside check. Failure to produce it can result in a fine, though officers may show leniency if you can demonstrate you hold a valid licence by other means.
The exchange process also presents an opportunity to update or correct any details on the licence. Drivers who have changed their name, for example through marriage, should ensure the new Portuguese licence reflects their current legal name. The IMT may require additional documentation for name changes. Once the exchange is complete, the Portuguese licence is renewable through the IMT system without further driving tests, subject to the periodic medical fitness certificates required at renewal.