Exchanging Your Driving Licence in Portugal
UK, EU, non-EU — the rules, timelines, and process for converting a foreign licence to a Portuguese one. Plus what to do if you miss the window.
Updated April 2026Why You Need to Convert Your Licence
Once you become a Portuguese resident, you generally have a deadline to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Portuguese one. The deadline depends on where your licence is from. For EU licences it’s 90 days; for most non-EU licences it’s two years. Miss the deadline and your right to drive in Portugal effectively lapses until you obtain a Portuguese licence.
The conversion process is administrative rather than dramatic for most foreign licences — an exchange (troca) with the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT). For some non-EU licences, additional medical exams or driving tests apply.
This guide covers the rules by region, the documents needed, and the typical timeline.
Rules by Where Your Licence Is From
The rules vary significantly depending on whether your licence is EU, post-Brexit UK, or non-EU.
EU/EEA licences
You can drive in Portugal on your EU licence indefinitely if you’re a visitor. As a Portuguese resident, you must register your licence with IMT within 90 days but you don’t need to exchange it until it expires. Once it expires, you must convert to a Portuguese licence rather than renew with the issuing country.
UK licences (post-Brexit)
Portugal recognises UK licences for exchange under the Portugal-UK driving agreement. UK residents who become Portuguese residents have two years to exchange a UK licence for a Portuguese one. The exchange is straightforward in most cases — medical exam plus paperwork.
US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
Portugal has bilateral arrangements with most major non-EU countries. Two-year window from residency. Paper exchange in most cases; some categories may require a medical exam or written test.
Other non-EU countries
Some licences from non-recognised countries require a full Portuguese driving test (theory and practical). Check IMT’s country-specific list before counting on a simple exchange.
Don’t miss the window
If you miss the conversion deadline, your foreign licence is no longer valid for use in Portugal. You then need to take the full Portuguese driving test like any new driver. Set a calendar reminder for month 18 of your two-year window.
How to Apply for the Exchange
Step-by-step through the IMT process.
Step 1 — Get your medical certificate
A standard medical fitness certificate (atestado médico) from a Portuguese GP or authorised clinic. Costs €30–€60 typically. Includes vision, basic health screen, and the doctor’s declaration of fitness to drive.
Step 2 — Gather documents
Original foreign licence, residence permit (or EU certificate of residence), NIF, proof of address (recent utility bill), passport, two recent passport photos, and the medical certificate. Foreign licence must be valid — if expired, you may need to renew with the issuing country first.
Step 3 — Apply via IMT
Most applications now go through the IMT online portal (imtt.pt) with subsequent in-person appointment. You can also apply directly at an IMT office. Expect 4–12 week wait for an appointment in busier areas.
Step 4 — Pay the fee
Approximately €30 administrative fee. Paid via Multibanco reference issued by IMT.
Step 5 — Surrender old licence, receive new
At the appointment, you surrender the foreign licence (it’s sent back to the issuing country) and receive a temporary paper Portuguese licence. The plastic-card licence arrives by post 2–6 weeks later.
Driving while you wait
The temporary paper licence issued at your IMT appointment is valid for driving in Portugal — not necessarily abroad. If you’re planning to drive in another EU country before your plastic card arrives, double-check the temporary’s validity.
What Goes Wrong
The mistakes that turn a paper exchange into a six-month saga.
Foreign licence expired before exchange
If your home-country licence expires during the conversion process, you’re in limbo. Renew before you start the exchange.
Booking too late
IMT appointments fill up. In peak relocation periods (autumn especially), the wait can be 3+ months. Start the exchange when you receive your residence permit, not when you remember to.
Old name vs new name
If you’ve changed names (marriage, etc.) between your foreign licence and your Portuguese ID, you need supporting documents. Bring marriage certificates with apostilles where applicable.
Specific country test requirements
Some non-EU licences trigger a written test or driving test even if a paper exchange is theoretically possible. Check IMT’s specific country requirements before assuming yours is a paper exchange.
The "I’m only here part-time" gambit
If you’re a Portuguese tax resident, you should convert. The argument "I only spend part of the year there" doesn’t change the legal position. If stopped by police on a foreign licence beyond the conversion window, you’re technically driving illegally.
Tips From Recent Conversions
What expats who’ve done it recently say works.
Use the online portal first
Starting online (imtt.pt) lets you upload documents in advance and book your appointment when slots open. Walking into IMT cold is much slower.
Choose a quieter office
Lisbon’s central IMT offices have the longest waits. Smaller IMT offices in Almada, Setúbal, or Palmela are often quicker for an appointment, even if you live in Lisbon. You can choose which office to book at.
Bring originals AND copies
IMT keeps copies but verifies originals. Bring both for everything. Photos must be recent and biometric standard.
Keep your foreign address proof
If your foreign licence is being sent back to the issuing country (UK DVLA, etc.), they may post the surrendered licence to your foreign address of record — or destroy it. UK residents in particular: clarify with DVLA what happens to the surrendered card.
If you’ve missed the deadline
Don’t hide. Apply anyway — some exchanges are still accepted with explanation. Worst case, you’ll need to take the Portuguese test, which takes about 3 months including theory classes and the practical.