Exchanging Your Driving License
After becoming a Portuguese resident, you must exchange your foreign driving license within 2 years (EU licenses) or upon expiry. Some non-EU countries have reciprocal agreements for direct exchange; others require retaking the driving test.
Check if your country has a reciprocal agreement
Countries with direct exchange agreements include: Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, and some others. EU/EEA licenses exchange automatically. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian licenses generally require retaking the test.
Get a medical certificate
Visit any approved doctor (medico com competencia para atestados IMT) for a driving medical. Costs around 30-50 EUR. Valid for the license category you hold.
Visit an IMT office
Book an appointment or walk in. Bring all documents. The exchange takes 2-4 weeks for processing.
Documents needed
- Foreign driving license (original)
- Passport or ID
- NIF
- Proof of residence in Portugal
- Medical certificate
- 1 passport photo
- Fee (~30 EUR)
Surrender your foreign license
Your foreign license is retained by IMT during processing. You'll receive a temporary document allowing you to drive.
Collect your Portuguese license
IMT will notify you when it's ready for collection, or it can be mailed to your address.
Watch out
- ●The 2-year deadline is from when you become resident, not from when you enter Portugal
- ●If your license expires before you exchange it, you may need to retake the test
- ●International driving permits are not a substitute — they're only valid for tourists
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