Vignette Portugal

The toll in Portugal is operated by private companies, which guarantee the costs of maintenance and expansion through the toll charges. All motorways in Portugal are affected by the toll. The rest of the road network is not subject to the toll. The classic adhesive vignette does not exist in Portugal.

Furthermore, there are no standardised costs for tolls in Portugal. The price of the toll is determined by the vehicle class, the route, and the payment option.

Motorways subject to tolls

Although all motorways in Portugal are subject to tolls, you should still pay attention to the type of motorway. The private motorway operators are responsible for the motorway regulations. Toll motorways in Portugal are divided into conventional motorways and motorways with electronic tolls.

Conventional motorways

On conventional motorways, tolls are charged at toll stations. The distance from station to station is calculated. If it takes longer than twelve hours to reach the desired station, an additional fee is charged. This can be twice as high as the initial charge. Payment is made in cash or by credit card.

Motorways with electronic tolls

Electronic tolls are not available for all toll motorways in Portugal. If you want to drive on a motorway with an electronic toll, you can choose between several options to validate the toll for your vehicle.

  • Easy Toll: This system allows you to register your licence plate for a period of up to one month. When you register, you link your credit card to your account. When you drive through a toll barrier, your licence plate is photographed, and the toll is debited from your credit card.
  • Toll Card: This system allows you to assign a prepaid card to your licence plate. This is available in denominations of € 5, € 10, € 20, and € 40 (£ 4.31, £ 8.61, £ 17.23, and £ 34.45). When you pass through an electronic toll barrier, your licence plate number is photographed, and the toll charge is debited from the TOLLCard.
  • Virtual Prepaid-Card (formerly TollService): The virtual prepaid card is designed for short stays in Portugal. The toll is paid in advance and is determined by the vehicle class. For vehicle classes 1 and 2, you can choose between a 3-day prepaid card or a route-defined prepaid card. The route-defined prepaid card is only valid for one route, while the 3-day prepaid card is valid for all routes.
  • Via Verde Visitors: With the Via Verde Transponder, it is not only possible to pass all electronically tolled routes, but also to drive on conventional routes with the Via Verde Lane. The toll is charged to the credit card account on file after passing the toll station. You can order and pay for the transmitter online.

The electronic route sections can be identified by the blue sign.

Map

Regulations for cars, motorcycle, caravans and campervans

Cars Depending on the height at the front axle (up to/from 1.1 m)
Trailers Trailers and semi-trailers with a towing vehicle up to 1.1 metres high at the front axle are classified as passenger cars
Trailers and semi-trailers with a towing vehicle over 1.1 metres high at the front axle and depending on the number of axles of the overall trailer and semi-trailer combination
Campervans Depending on the number of axles

Vehicle categories

Category 1 Motorcycles and cars (including those with trailers) with a height of less than 1.1 metres at the front axle
Category 2 Motor vehicles with two axles and a height of 1.1 metres or higher at the front axle
Category 3 Motor vehicles with three axles and a height of 1.1 metres or higher at the front axle
Category 4 Motor vehicles with more than three axles and a height of 1.1 metres or higher at the front axle

Prices and durations

Bridge tolls in Portugal

This includes the Ponte Vasco da Gama Bridge as well as the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge, both spanning the Tagus River in Lisbon.

It is important to note that tolls are only charged when traveling from south to north.

Ponte Vasco da Gama

Vehicle category Price in EUR/ GBP
Passenger car 3,20 €/ 2,74 £
Trailer 3,20 €/ 2,74 £
Motorcycle 3,20 €/ 2,74 £
Campervan 7,15 €/ 6,13 £

Ponte 25 de Abril

Vehicle category Price in EUR/ GBP
Passenger car 2,10 €/ 1,80 £
Trailer 2,10 €/ 1,80 £
Motorcycle 2,10 €/ 1,80 £
Campervan 4,60 €/ 3,95 £

The prices listed for the bridge are as of 2024. Please note that prices may change at any time. For more information and current prices, we recommend that you visit the official websites of both the Ponte Vasco da Gama and Ponte 25 de Abril bridges.

Conventional motorways

If you are planning to drive on a conventional motorway, you can use these prices as a guide. On conventional motorways, you pay a different price depending on the route. There is no standardised price for kilometres driven. Class 2 vehicles pay an average additional charge of around 80 percent.

Route Distance Duration Charges category 1
Lisbon-Faro 279 km Approx. 3 hours 18.26 £
Lisbon-Leiria 147 km Approx. 2 hours 8.10 £
Lisbon-Porto 317 km Approx. 4 hours 19.12 £
Lisbon-Marateca 65 km Approx. 1 hour 1.34 £
Lisbon-Coimbra 207 km Approx. 2.5 hours 12.40 £
Porto-Coimbra 122 km Approx. 1.5 hours 6.29 £
Porto-Leiria 185 km Approx. 2 hours 11.02 £
Faro-Portimão 71 km Approx. 1 hour 1.68 £
Faro-Lagos 91 km Approx. 1 hour 2.41 £

Motorways with e-tolls

There is no standard price for motorways with electronic tolls either. The price depends on the vehicle class and the selected payment option.

Payment option Duration Charges
Easy Toll 30 days Membership: 0.64 £
Administration fee: 0.28 £ per Trip
Toll charges are debited from the bank account
Toll Card 1 year Membership: 0.64 £
Administration fee: 0.28 £ per Trip
Credit options: 4.31 £, 8.61 £, 17.23 £ and 34.45 £
Virtual Prepaid-Card 3 days Membership: 0.64 £
Card costs: 17.23 £
Can be purchased up to 6 times a year
Via Verde Visitor
(On-Board-Unit)
Max. 90 days Rental costs per month of use: 1.22 £
Credit costs: 8.61 £
Credit card is deposited

Sales points

  • Easy Toll: Registration with Portugal Tolls and points of sale at Welcome Points at border stations
  • Toll Card: Post offices, motorway service stations and online at Toll Card
  • Virtual Prepaid-Card: Motorway petrol stations, post offices, tourist offices or online
  • Via Verde Visitor: Post offices, petrol stations and online on Toll Tickets

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Fines and penalties

If you disregard the toll regulations in Portugal with a foreign vehicle, you could face a fine of between £ 21.53 and £ 107.66. You will also be asked to pay an administrative fee.
If you fail to pay the toll with a vehicle registered in Portugal, for example a hire car, you can pay the toll retrospectively at any post office after two days. If you are unable to pay the toll within five days, you will also be fined. It becomes very expensive if the car hire company takes care of the reimbursement of the toll and pays it.

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Toll obligation in neighbouring countries

The following country bordering Portugal also levies a toll for the financing and maintenance of its motorways: