Expats living in Europe are being urged to check the validity of their licence today as new driving laws begin to be introduced.
Until December 31, 2023, people with a driving licence issued by the DVLA (or DVA in Northern Ireland) can continue to drive in Portugal, with residents needing to register their licence with the IMT within 60 days of their residence certificate.
However, these rules are set to change. British expats living in Portugal can continue to drive in Portugal on their current licence until it expires, provided they have registered their licence with IMT.
Expats can also exchange their licence for a Portuguese one without needing to take a driving test.
Expats living in Portugal can use their Portuguese licence when visiting the UK
PA
Drivers must register with the IMT within 60 days of the issue date on their residence certificate, or immediately if they have already been in Portugal for more than 60 days.
The IMT has clarified to the UK Government that it will update its website as soon as possible, with it currently only referring to EU driving licences.
To exchange a UK licence for a Portuguese one, motorists must go to the IMT portal and fill out a form, submitting the necessary documents to complete the process.
People will need to get a certificate of authenticity from the DVLA to share with the Portuguese authorities, without the need to take a test.
The GOV.UK website states: "Licences which expired not more than two years before being presented for exchange, and licences which have been lost or stolen, are eligible for exchange.
"If you apply to exchange an expired, lost or stolen licence, you cannot drive until your exchange has been completed."
Road users cannot renew or replace their UK driving licence if they are a resident of Portugal and must instead exchange their licence for a Portuguese one.
Drivers cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging their licence.
If someone has a Blue Badge in the UK and lives in Portugal, they must return it to the original UK issuing authority. They can then apply for a new Portuguese disabled parking card.
People who hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man should exchange your licence within 90 days of registering for residence.
On October 13, 2023, the UK and Portuguese authorities signed a bilateral agreement on the “mutual recognition and exchange of driving licences”.
If someone owns a UK or Gibraltar driving licence, they will be able to continue to drive in Portugal on their existing licence until it expires.
They can also exchange this licence for a Portuguese one without needing to take a driving test.
Speaking at the time, Chris Sainty, British Ambassador to Portugal, said the agreement would be ratified on both sides, with the intention of it taking effect at the start of 2024.
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Drivers cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging their licence
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He added: “I am delighted that we have reached agreement with Portugal that will mean UK licence holders resident here can use their UK licence for the duration of its validity and, if and when necessary, exchange it for a Portuguese one without needing to take any driving test.
“This allows a level playing field for all UK and Gibraltar licence holders to continue driving lawfully and guarantees recognition and exchange rights for all.
"The agreement was reached after an extended period of technical negotiations between London and Lisbon, with the continued and active cooperation of the Portuguese Government and the IMT, to whom I would like to express my gratitude."
He added that further updates would be available for expats via the Living in Portugal guide on GOV.UK website and through the Embassy’s social media channels.
