Compare Car Hire Prices in Portugal
Search car hire at Portuguese airports and city locations, compare prices and choose a car that suits your budget. You’ll also find practical information about tolls, driving rules and travelling by car in Portugal below.
Popular Portugal collection points
| Location | Useful for |
|---|---|
| Lisbon Airport | Lisbon region, Sintra, Cascais, Alentejo and the Silver Coast |
| Porto Airport | Porto, Douro Valley, Braga, Guimarães and northern Portugal |
| Faro Airport | Algarve resorts, Lagos, Albufeira, Tavira and Sagres |
| Funchal Airport | Madeira's coastal villages, mountains and viewpoints |
| Ponta Delgada Airport | São Miguel, Sete Cidades, Furnas and the wider island |
Portugal toll roads
| Toll point | What to know |
|---|---|
| Motorway tolls | Many Portuguese motorways charge tolls. Some use traditional toll plazas and others use electronic collection. |
| Rental cars | Portuguese rental fleets are equipped for electronic toll payment. Ask the rental provider how toll charges will be billed to you. |
| Via Verde | Via Verde is Portugal's electronic toll system and can automatically register motorway tolls using an on-board device. |
| Rental fees | Check whether the rental company charges for use of the toll device or adds an administration fee to toll payments. |
Confirm the toll arrangement with the rental provider before leaving the collection point.
Portugal driving rules
| Drive | On the right |
|---|---|
| Roundabouts | Vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. |
| Urban speed limit | Usually 50 km/h unless signs show otherwise. |
| Normal roads | Usually 90 km/h for passenger cars unless signs show otherwise. |
| Motor-vehicle-only roads | Usually 100 km/h for passenger cars unless signs show otherwise. |
| Motorways | Usually 120 km/h for passenger cars unless signs show otherwise. |
| Alcohol | General limit 0.5 g/l. A lower 0.2 g/l limit applies to novice and professional drivers. |
| Mobile phones | Handheld phone use while driving is prohibited. Hands-free use is permitted. |
Useful Portugal driving information
| City centres | Historic areas in Lisbon, Porto and other older towns can have narrow streets, steep gradients and limited parking. |
|---|---|
| Madeira | Expect steep gradients, tunnels, mountain roads and tight streets. A smaller car can be easier to handle and park. |
| Azores | Roads can be narrow and winding outside the main towns. Allow extra time for island journeys. |
| Safety equipment | Portuguese road rules require a reflective vest and warning triangle to be carried in the vehicle. |
| Cross-border travel | Check the rental provider's permission and conditions before taking a Portuguese hire car into Spain. |
| Emergency number | Call 112 for emergencies. |
Driving licence requirements
EU and EEA driving licences are valid in Portugal while they remain valid. Rules for licences issued elsewhere depend on the issuing country and international agreements with Portugal. Check the official IMT guidance and the rental provider's requirements before booking.
Portugal car hire FAQs
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Portugal?
Many rental providers require an accepted card in the main driver's name for the security deposit. Check the exact payment and deposit conditions before booking.
Should I collect at the airport or in a city?
Airport collection is convenient if you plan to drive immediately. If you are spending several days in Lisbon or Porto first, it may be easier to collect your car when you are ready to leave the city.
Official Portugal driving information
- IMT: foreign driving licences
- Visit Portugal: driving in Portugal
- Your Europe: Portugal road rules
- Infraestruturas de Portugal: electronic tolls
- Portugal Tolls
Toll arrangements and driving rules can change. Check official guidance and your rental provider's terms before travel.