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Change of Driver's License in Portugal: complete guide with JJ Gestoria

Do you live in Portugal and need to drive legally with your foreign license? The Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) regulates the driver's license exchange and establishes different procedures depending on the country of issuance of your license. At JJ Gestoria we accompany you through the whole process: from the evaluation of your case to the submission of the application. For drivers from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), the exchange is simple if basic requirements are met. For licenses from OECD and Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) countries, Portugal accepts driving with the original license as long as the issuing state has subscribed to the international conventions and age and validity limits are respected. imt-ip.pt. In the case of non-adherent countries, the foreign license is not valid and it will be necessary to pass theoretical and practical tests. Each situation is explained below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in Portugal with my foreign license without making the exchange?

It depends on your country of origin. If your license was issued by a European Union or European Economic Area state, you can drive with that license, but you must register your residency with the ITM within 60 days. For OECD and CPLP licenses, you can drive as long as the issuing country has ratified the Geneva or Vienna conventions, the license is no more than 15 years old, the holder is under 60 years old and the license is in force. In countries not adhering to the conventions, the license is not valid and you must request an exchange before driving.

What documents do I need to exchange an EU/EEA carnet?

To exchange an EU/EEA driving license you must present: identity card, residence communication issued by the Municipal Chamber if you do not have a citizen card, certification of fiscal address (if the address is not on the residence document), passport where applicable, the original license and a psychological certificate if you wish to exchange categories C, D or E. You also need a medical certificate, which your doctor sends directly to the ITM.

When is it necessary to exchange an OECD or CPLP license for a Portuguese one?

If you are from an OECD or CPLP country that has signed the 1949 or 1968 conventions, you can drive in Portugal with your license during the established validity provided it is not older than 15 years and you meet the age and validity requirements. However, if you want to obtain new categories or to write down qualifications (for example, to drive TVDE), you must request a full exchange. In addition, this license is only valid in Portugal; to drive in other EU countries you will need the Portuguese license.

What are the deadlines to exchange my license if I come from a country with an international agreement?

For countries with bilateral agreements or adherents to international conventions, you can drive with your license for up to 185 days as a tourist. After obtaining the authorization of residence in Portugal, you have up to 90 days to start the procedure and continue driving with your license. Between 90 days and 2 years you can request an exchange, but you will no longer be able to drive with the foreign license. After 2 years you must pass a practical test to obtain the Portuguese license.

What should I do if my country is not a party to the conventions?

In this case your license is not valid for driving in Portugal. You can apply for the exchange, but in addition to fulfilling all the normal requirements (identity document, residence communication, tax certification, passport, license and psychological certificate for categories C/D/E), you must pass a multimedia theory test and a practical driving test for each category you want to validate. Each test has an additional cost of 30 €.

What is the cost of the card exchange and how is the process carried out?

The exchange of a driver's license costs 30 € and a discount of 10 % applies if done online imt-ip.pt . The process is processed through the portal "A Minha Carta de Condução": you must complete the form, attach the required documentation and wait for the IMT summons to deliver the documentation in person. If you come from a country that does not adhere to the conventions, the fees for the theoretical and practical exams (30 € each) are added to this amount.

Exchange for EU and EEA drivers

  • If your license was issued by an EU or EEA country, you must register your residence with the ITM within 60 days of your arrival in Portugal (free registration). To change your license for a Portuguese one, your doctor sends the electronic medical report to the ITM and you make the request on the portal "A Minha Carta de Condução".
  • You must attach: identity card, proof of residence issued by the Municipal Chamber (if you do not have a citizen card), certification of fiscal domicile.
    (if your address is not on the residence document), passport when applicable, original license and psychological certificate for categories C, D or E.
  • After sending the request, you will be able to indicate an address to receive the new license and the ITM will summon you to finalize the process. The cost is 30 € with 10 % discount if you process it online.

 

Driving charters of OECD and CPLP countries

Conditions for driving without immediate redemption

  • The issuing country is a signatory to the Geneva (1949) or Vienna (1968) Conventions or has a bilateral agreement with Portugal.
  • The permit is less than 15 years since its issuance or last renewal.
  • The holder is a minor 60 years.
  • The license is valid and the driver meets the minimum age required in Portugal.
  • The license is neither suspended nor revoked.
  • If you meet all the conditions, you can continue to drive in Portugal even after taking up residence.

Exchange procedure

When you decide to exchange your license for a Portuguese one: obtain the medical certificate (electronic delivery), register in "A Minha Carta de Condução" and submit the documentation.
In addition, it provides a certificate of authenticity license, issued by the issuing authority or consulate, indicating which categories you obtained by exam
and which ones by equivalence. Includes legalized translation if the permit is not in Portuguese, French, English or Spanish. Cost: 30 € with
10 % online discount. This regime only entitles to drive in Portugal; for new categories or averbamentos (e.g., TVDE) it requires full exchange.

 

Countries adhering to the conventions and other situations

Driving period and legal deadlines

  • As a tourist: you can drive 185 days from the day following your entry into the country, provided that you do not establish residence.
  • With residence: up to 90 days you can continue to drive with your foreign license, but you must initiate the exchange.
  • Enter 90 days and 2 yearsYou can apply for an exchange, but you can no longer drive with your foreign license.
  • After 2 yearsYou cannot drive and must take a practical driving test to obtain a Portuguese license.

Documentation and cost

  • Identity card, residence permit, certification of tax domicile and, if applicable, passport.
  • Original license and psychological certificate for categories C, D or E.
  • Certificate of authenticity of the permit; legalized translation when the language is not PT/FR/EN/ES.
  • Possibility to indicate an alternative address for the delivery of the new license.
  • Cost of the procedure: 30 € with 10 % discount online.

 

Countries not party to the conventions

Mandatory testing

If your country has not ratified the international conventions, your license is not valid for driving in Portugal. You can apply for the exchange, but in addition to the requirements
you will have to pass a multimedia theory exam and a practical test for each category you own.
Each test has an additional cost of 30 €.

Procedure and documentation

Perform the medical evaluation, request the exchange in the official portal and attach: identity document, residence communication, tax domicile certification,
passport if applicable, original license and psychological certificate for C, D or E. After the application you will be able to indicate a delivery address and the ITM will summon you to the office.
If you pass the tests, your new license is issued; to add categories, additional exams will be scheduled.

 

How JJ Gestoria helps you?

Comprehensive advice and submission of applications

We analyze your country of origin and type of license to define the applicable procedure (EU/EEA, OECD/CPLP, treaty or non-adherent). We prepare translations,
certificates, certificates of residence and tax domicile, and we manage the application in "A Minha Carta de Condução". We coordinate with your doctor the sending of the attestation.
and ask for the certificate of authenticity when applicable.

Support in exams and deadlines

We explain the legal deadlines according to your residency status. If you need theoretical or practical tests, we guide you with the syllabus, reserve dates and
we manage the payment of additional fees. Our goal: to avoid penalties and ensure that you drive legally in Portugal without mishaps.

If you are ready to look for job opportunities in Portugal, schedule a consultation with JJ Gestoria today. Our team will review your profile and explain each step of the process.

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