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Car Rental in Portugal
From the cobbled streets of Lisbon to the whitewashed villages of Alentejo, Portugal is best explored by car. Choose from trusted local rental companies and collect your vehicle directly at the airport.
Cities
Cities: Portugal
All cities with built-in car search. Each page has a ready search, prices by class and rental terms.
Islands
Islands: Portugal
Major islands with their own hub — all the island's cities and the built-in car search on a single page.
Terms
Rental terms in Portugal
The basic rules of most rental providers in the country. Exact terms of a specific offer are shown in the city search before payment.
- Driver age — from 21 years.
- Driving experience — from 1 years.
- Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge.
- Fuel policy: “full-to-full”.
- Cross-border travel to Spain — by prior arrangement at booking.
- Basic insurance (CDW/TP) is included in the price.
- A Full CDW package reduces the excess to zero.
- No-deposit rentals are often available.
- National driving licence.
- Driver’s passport.
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — if your licence is not in Latin script.
- A bank card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
On the road
Driving rules in Portugal
A driver’s guide for the country — common traveler questions: currency, fuel, speed limits, toll roads.
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Speed limits | 50 city · 90 rural · 100 expressway · 120 motorway (km/h) |
| Blood alcohol limit | up to 0.5 ‰ |
| Daytime headlights | not required |
| Vignette (toll roads) | not required |
Traffic rules: Portugal
- Drive on the right and follow standard European traffic rules.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on expressways, and 120 km/h on motorways.
- Low beam headlights are required in tunnels and during poor visibility. Daytime running lights are not mandatory for passenger cars.
- The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. For drivers with less than three years of driving experience, the limit is 0.02%.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants, including rear-seat passengers.
- Children under 12 years old and shorter than 135 cm must travel in an approved child seat in the rear seats.
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free system.
- There is no vignette system. Most motorways and some bridges are tolled. Payment can be made by cash, card, or through the Via Verde electronic toll system, which can usually be rented with the vehicle.
- Winter tyres are not mandatory. Studded tyres are prohibited, while snow chains are permitted on snow-covered roads.
- Radar detectors are prohibited, even if they are not in use.
- A reflective safety vest and warning triangle are mandatory equipment. The vest must be worn before leaving the vehicle on the roadside.
- Foreign drivers are generally required to pay traffic fines immediately by cash or bank card.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about car rental in Portugal
License, deposit, border crossing, driver age and toll roads.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Portugal?
Driving licences issued in the Latin alphabet are generally accepted without an International Driving Permit (IDP). If your licence is issued only in Cyrillic or another non-Latin script, an IDP is required.
What is the minimum age for renting a car?
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old with one year of driving experience. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge of approximately €10–20 per day.
Is a security deposit required?
Yes. A deposit is usually blocked on the driver’s credit card when collecting the vehicle. With full insurance, the blocked amount is often reduced to around €100–300. Exact conditions depend on the rental company.
Where can I pick up and return the car?
Rental desks are available at Lisbon Humberto Delgado, Porto, and Faro airports, as well as in city centres. One-way rentals are available from some companies.
Can I drive to Spain?
Yes. Portugal shares its only land border with Spain, and most rental companies allow cross-border travel with prior approval. Some companies may require a Green Card.
Which insurance should I choose?
Basic CDW insurance is included but usually comes with an excess. Full or Super CDW significantly reduces the excess and often lowers the security deposit.
What is the fuel policy?
The standard policy is full-to-full. Fuel prices in Portugal are among the highest in Europe, so it is worth refuelling before returning the vehicle.
How do I pay for toll roads?
Portugal has an extensive toll motorway network. Rental cars are often equipped with a Via Verde transponder or registered in the EasyToll system, with charges settled after the rental ends. Check the conditions when collecting your vehicle.
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Choose a city in Portugal — inside is a preset search with offers from local rental providers.
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