Motorway tolls Portugal 2023 → Price, how to pay, toll roads
- Motorways in Portugal are tolled for motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks.
- The toll collection system is relatively complicated due to two separate motorway systems.
- In the older system you can pay in cash or by credit card, however, in the new system only electronically.
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Tolls in Portugal for the year 2024
The cost of toll in Portugal depends on the distance traveled and the category of the vehicle. Generally, tolls range from €6,00 to €9,00 per 100 km. There are several operators in Portugal and if you are looking for a unified overview of tolls, you can find it on the website of Brisa company. Alternatively, a useful toll calculator is at your disposal on Viaverde.pt.
The best source of information regarding toll payment in Portugal can be found on Portugaltolls.com.
Vehicle categories in Portugal
Vehicles in Portugal are generally divided into four classes. The classification depends on the height of the vehicle on the front axle and the total number of axles of the vehicle. Motorcycles with the Via Verde electronic system form class number 5, which gives them a 30% discount on tolls. On the ViaVerde.pt website you can check the category of your vehicle based on its brand and model.
- Class 1: Motorcycles and vehicles with height up to 1.1 m
- Class 2: Two-axle vehicles with height of more than 1.1 m
- Class 3: Three axles and a height of more than 1.1 m
- Class 4: Four and more axles with height over 1.1 m
Toll prices for selected road sections in Portugal 2024
Motorway section Motorcycles Passenger cars Trucks Lisbon – Porto €22,40 €22,40 €39 Lisbon – Faro (Algarve) €22,35 €22,35 €39 Porto – Valença €9,15 €9,15 €15,80 Porto – Coimbra €7,40 €7,40 €12,90 Lisbon – Cascais €1,40 €1,40 €2,80 Lisbon – Leiria €9,70 €9,70 €17,20 -
Toll payment in Portugal 2024
In Portugal, there are two separate systems for paying tolls. The older system allows payment in cash or by credit card. Electronic highway tolls are paid exclusively via the automatic system or with prepaid cards. The division of Portuguese motorways according to the method of payment can be found on a map available on the Infraestruturas website.
Payment in cash or by card
Motorway tolls can be paid in cash or by credit card only on some motorways. These are marked as Portagem Manual or Manual Toll and the classic open system applies here. You will receive a ticket at the motorway entrance and pay the toll at the toll station near the exit.
EasyToll
EasyToll is an automatic electronic toll payment system for vehicles registered abroad. Only Visa, MasterCard and Maestro credit cards are accepted. The driver inserts the card into the payment terminal and the system links the card to the vehicle’s license plate. The toll is then deducted automatically from the driver’s bank account.
There is a registration charge of €0,74, in addition, each trip is subject to an administrative fee of €0,32. Registration is valid for 30 days. The payment card can only be registered at 4 locations at the main border crossings.
TollCard
TollCard works on the principle of prepaid credit and it is possible to purchase cards worth 5, 10, 20 or 40 EUR. TollCards are available at all post offices CTT or at service stations, or online on Portugaltolls.com.
TollCards are activated via an SMS message by entering your card number and vehicle license plate number. You need to also take into account the activation fee of €0,74 and administrative fee of €0,32 applied to every journey.
Virtual card
It is possible to drive to drive on motorways limitlessly for 3 days with the electronic toll of €20,74. TollService is available at Portuguese post offices or gas stations. ALternatively the service can be subscribed to online on CTT.pt.
The card can also be purchased for multiple routes ahead on predefined routes starting or ending at Porto and Faro airports for a registration fee of €0,74 and by paying the toll for the journey.
Via Verde Visitors
Via Verde is a classic system for electronic toll payment. A special device is attached to the windshield of the car to record the passage through the toll gate. Fees are then deducted directly from the driver’s bank account.
A special Via Verde Visitors tariff is available for cars registered abroad. Equipment rental lasts 90 days, the first fee is €6,00. In the following weeks, fees of €1,50 must be paid. Additionally, a refundable deposit of €28 is required. The advantage of Via Verde Visitors is that it can be used on all Portuguese motorways.
Delayed payment of tolls
Some motorway operators allow drivers to pay the toll later. Some sources state that only vehicles registered in Portugal can pay later, however the official website designed for the payment of tolls allows delayed payment also for vehicles registered abroad.
We recommend using this method only as the last resort. Delayed toll payments only apply to some motorways and, in addition, the stated deadlines must be strictly adhered to.
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Paid road sections in Portugal 2024
Toll motorway sections in Portugal
- A1 Lisbon – Santarém – Leiria – Coimbra – Porto
- A2 Lisbon – Albufeira
- A3 Porto – Braga – Valença
- A4 Metosinhos – Porto – Amarante – Bragança
- A5 Lisbon – Cascais
- A6 Marateca – Caia
- A7 Povoa de Varzim – Vila Pouca de Aguiar
- A8 Lisbon – Leiria
- A9 Lisbon – Alverca
- A10 Bucelas – Benavente
- A11 Apulia – Amarante
- A12 Lisbon – Setúbal
- A13 Marateca – Almeirim, Entroncamento – Coimbra
- A14 Figueira da Foz – Coimbra
- A15 Óbidos – Santarém
- A16 Alcabideche – Lisbon
- A17 Marinha Grande – Mira – Aveiro
- A19 Porto de Mós – Leiria
- A20 Inner Porto circuit
- A21 Malveira – Ericeira
- A22 Lagos – Vila Real de Santo António
- A23 Torres Novas – Castelo Branco – Guarda
- A24 Viseu – Vila Real – Vila Verde da Raia
- A25 Praia da Barra – Aveiro – Guarda
- A26 Sines – Santiago do Cacém
- A27 Viana do Castelo – Ponte de Lima
- A28 Porto – Viana do Castelo – Caminha
- A29 Angeja – Vila Nova de Gaia
- A30 Sacavém – Santa Iria de Azóia
- A32 Oliveira de Azeméis – Vila Nova de Gaia
- A33 Funchalinho – Montijo
- A36 Inner Lisbon circuit
- A37 Lisbon – Sintra
- A38 Almada – Costa de Caparica
- A40 Olival Basto – Montemor
- A41 Outer Porto circuit
- A42 Ermida – Lousada
- A43 Porto – Aguiar de Sousa
- A44 Gulpilhares – Vila Nova de Gaia – Oliveira do Douro
- A47 Santa Maria da Feira – Mansores
Map of motorways and toll roads in Portugal
A clear and simple map of toll motorways in Portugal can be found on Infraestruturas.
More demanding users can use an app, thanks to which it is possible to easily find out the current state of the roads or location of cameras.
Road sections charged with a special toll
In addition to motorway tolls, some bridges are levied in Portugal. On Lisbon’s Vasco da Gama and 25 de Abril bridges, the toll can be paid in cash or by credit card.
Price for crossing toll bridges in Portugal 2024
Bridge Motorcycles Passenger cars Trucks Ponte 25 de Abril €2,00 €2,00 €4,40 Ponte Vasco da Gama €3,05 €3,05 €6,90 -
Motorways in Portugal: Speed limits, fines…
Speed limits in Portugal
- In urban areas: 50 km/h
- Outside urban areas: 90 km/h
- On expressways: 100 km/h
- On motorways: 120 km/h
Fines related to tolls
Fines for unpaid tolls can amount to up to ten times the original price of the toll. On motorways with electronic tolls, careful inspections are carried out via a camera system, and therefore, driving without paid tolls is by no means worthwhile.
Freeway sections in Portugal
In Portugal, some bypasses in larger cities and shorter sections of motorways are free of charge. There are no tolls in Madeira and the other Portuguese islands.
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Speeding fines in Portugal 2024
Portuguese drivers are hot-blooded and are not very interested in regulations. However, if you go to this country with your vehicle or rent a car, you will attract more attention from the police. You will also be checked more frequently by the roadside patrols that will try to detect any mistakes. But, as is customary in these countries, most police officers are lenient.
Do not let yourself be distracted by the constant honking, flashing and even a sudden stop on the street, if the driver in front of you wants to greet a passer-by. The penalty system is simple, but the rates are not the lowest.
Speeding in urban areas
- 5-20 km/h: from €60 to €300
- 21-40 km/h: from €120 to €600
- 41-60 km/h: from €300 to €1 500 and suspension of the DL for the minimum of 1 month for up to 1 year
- over 60 km/h: from €500 to €2 500 and suspension of the DL for the minimum of 2 months for up to 2 years
Speeding outside urban areas and on motorways
- 5-30 km/h: from €60 to €300
- 31-60 km/h: from €120 to €600
- 61-80 km/h: from €300 to €1 500 and suspension of the DL for the minimum of 1 month for up to 1 year
- over 80 km/h: od €500 do €2 500 and suspension of the DL for the minimum of 2 months for up to 2 years
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Driving fines in Portugal 2024
Police may impose fines on drivers on the spot. Most police cars are equipped with terminals for immediate payment. In Portugal, a penalty point system has been in place since 2016.
By default, all drivers are awarded 12 points, with two to six points being deducted each time an offense is recorded. If drivers have only 4 points left on their account, they must undergo additional road safety training.- Driving without mandatory equipment – €60 up to €300
- Running a red light / Driving across the solid line – €120 up to €600
- Driving under the influence of alcohol – €250 up to €2 500
- Driving without fastened seat belts – €120 up to €600
- Using a mobile phone while driving – €120 up to €600
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Driving in Portugal 2024
Mandatory car equipment in Portugal
- Reflective vest
- Warning triangle
Drivers and passengers of motorcycles, mopeds and ATVs are required to wear a safety helmet.
Tires
The tread depth of the tires is at least 1.6 mm. Winter tires are not mandatory. Snow chains are mandatory in locations specified by traffic signs.
Seat belts
The use of seat belts is mandatory for all occupants of the vehicle.
Children in the car
Children under the age of 12 and shorter than 135 cm must use an approved restraint system suitable for their height and weight and must be seated in the rear seat of the vehicle.
There is an exception in case of children under the age of 3 who can sit in a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat if the airbag for this seat is deactivated.
Drinking and driving
The maximum permitted blood alcohol level in Portugal is 0.5 per mille. The limit is reduced to 0.2 per mille for beginner drivers with experience of up to 3 years as well as professional drivers.
The following fines are subject to driving under the influence of alcohol:- 0,5 – 0,8‰ fine from €250 up to €1 250
- 0,8 – 1,2‰ fine from €500 up to €2 500
- over 1,2‰ is a criminal offense where the river is risking imprisonment and suspension of their driving license for the duration of 3 months for up to 3 years
Daytime running lights
Daytime running lights are not generally mandatory. However, they are mandatory in some areas. For example, it is necessary to have low beams on when driving on the road from Alveiro to Vilar Formoso on the Spanish border.
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Is the A2 from Lisbon to messiness an electronic toll road or payment by card/cash
great info , if all accurate , thank you i will stay in Spain and will not enter Portugal, this toll business is just nuts , just my opinion,- that so many roads in a such small nation are punishing users with such scrutiny, fees, impositions on public freedom to move in the name of ,… wow,,-then gas prices are what , as i said just my opinion, i do not feel welcome by any of the above much to the contrary it seams quite hostile to me .
Count me as someone who will never drive into Portugal again. I registered with credit card on entering country with Easy Toll on way to Lisbon. Tried too get off motorway just after joining A2 and of course didn’t have a have a ticket as the whole point of Easy Toll is meant to be no ticket needed as your number plate it tied to your credit card. I assumed I then could go thought all electronic toll lanes. They wanted 110 euros, yes seriously. After arguing for 15 minutes via the speaker at the gate apparently they said I could reverse and then go thought the Via Verde lane. Now I cannot figure out to pay that to Via Verde. I have literally spent 2 hours on websites and still no joy. This is all for maybe 2km of the A2. I paid via gate the rest of the way and it cost 36 euros for about 300km. My advice don’t use Portuguese toll roads ever.
Gosh, the same EXACT thing happened to me mate – the Easy Toll registration from Spain, and then thinking I was ‘home free’, so just sailed through the motorways, until I arrived to a toll booth, where the lady demanded a ticket…As I had none, wanted to charge me like 90 euros… haha! I said to her ‘Good one!” TBH, I was just laughing, because I had already learned from a Portuguese friend that the secret to survive around here is not to take ANYTHING seriously… so I just laughed it off. Wrote a couple of letters to Via Verde too, and at the end (about six months later), I got a fine for 30 euros, and that was the end of it. Portugal is a Paradise on Earth, but it is so true – do not try to understand why and how things are done around here. Just accept that there is sun, and kind people, and you can pick oranges from the trees in the street, and you can buy four pieces of bread from the same price you would buy one croissant in England… but there is just no such a thing exist as ‘logic’. Fine with me. 🙂