Exchanging a driving licence in Portugal: a guide for foreigners
After you get a residence permit you can drive on a foreign licence for 90 days, and you must apply for the exchange within that time. Applications are online only, with no test within two years; the fee is about $35.
| In short | |
|---|---|
| Tourist | 185 days from entry |
| After a residence permit | 90 days, and apply for the exchange within that time |
| Test | not needed if you apply within 2 years and the country is a convention party |
| Filing | online only since 21 January 2026 |
| Fee | ~$35 |
| Processing | 30-60 days |
The short answer: a tourist drives in Portugal on a foreign licence for 185 days from entry. Once you have a residence permit, you can drive on the foreign licence for another 90 days, and you must apply for the exchange within that time. Licences from countries that are parties to the international road traffic conventions are exchanged without a test if you apply within two years of getting residence. The fee is about $35 and processing takes 30-60 days.
Since 21 January 2026, applications to exchange foreign licences are accepted only through the transport authority's portal, with no in-person service. The main risk is missing the 90 days: after that you can still apply, but you can no longer drive on the foreign licence.
How long you can drive on a foreign licence in Portugal
Before getting residence, a foreigner drives on their own licence for 185 days from entry. Once they become a resident, they have 90 days: during that time they may drive on the foreign licence, but the exchange application must be filed. From day 90 up to two years after residence begins, an application can still be filed, but driving on the foreign licence is not allowed until the Portuguese one is issued.
Who exchanges a licence without a test
Valid, full licences from countries that are parties, together with Portugal, to the international road traffic conventions or have a bilateral agreement with it are exchanged without a test if the application is filed within two years of getting residence. Licences from countries outside the conventions are exchanged only through a test. Provisional and learner licences are not accepted.
Licences from non-EU countries, including Russia
Most non-EU countries, Russia included, are parties to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so their licences are exchanged under the general rules, without a test, if you apply within two years. The transport authority may verify the licence with the issuing country, which slows processing, so it is worth applying within the first 90 days, while you can still drive on the foreign licence.
Documents for exchanging a licence
- a valid foreign licence;
- a passport or residence permit;
- proof of address in Portugal;
- a tax number;
- a fitness-to-drive medical certificate, which the doctor submits electronically.
How the exchange works: steps
- Get a tax number and a residence permit.
- Pass a medical: the doctor issues the certificate electronically.
- Apply on the transport authority's portal, upload the documents and pay the fee by card.
- Receive a temporary permit and wait 30-60 days for the decision.
- Receive the Portuguese licence. The foreign licence is handed in.
How much exchanging a licence costs in Portugal
The fee for exchanging a foreign licence is about $35 at the European Central Bank rate of 6 October 2026, paid by card when you apply on the portal. The doctor's medical is paid separately, as is a translation if the licence is not in Latin script. If an exchange is impossible and a test is needed, add driving school and the theory and driving tests.
The fee is about $35, but missing the 90 days leaves you unable to drive for months
The law does not stop you applying to exchange a licence in Portugal on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: an application after 90 days, when you can no longer drive on the foreign licence, documents the portal rejects because of format, a medical certificate the doctor did not submit to the system and verification with the issuing country that drags on for months. Murblz specialists count the period from your residence permit, prepare the documents, file on the portal and follow the application until the licence is issued. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of support depends on the issuing country and the categories; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
If your licence has expired
Expired or provisional foreign licences are not exchanged in Portugal: only valid, full licences qualify. Renew the licence in the issuing country first. If more than two years have passed since residence began or the licence comes from a country outside the conventions, a Portuguese licence is obtained through tests.
This topic in other countries
Deadlines, tests and documents for exchanging a licence differ in every country, so it is best to plan the exchange before the move, together with the residence permit: that way you will not spend months on taxis or risk a fine and your insurance.
Exchanging a licence in other countries: Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey, UAE, Cyprus, Paraguay, USA, Italy.
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Learn more →We will help you exchange your licence without extra visits. Tell us where your licence was issued and when you got your residence permit. We will count the deadline and prepare the documents.
FAQ
How long can you drive in Portugal on a foreign licence?
Is a test needed to exchange a licence in Portugal?
Can a licence from outside the EU be exchanged in Portugal?
How much does exchanging a licence cost in Portugal?
How do you apply to exchange a licence in Portugal?
How long does a Portuguese licence take?
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