Blog Layout

Driving Licences in Portugal after Brexit

3 March 2021

From 2021, driving licences issued by the United Kingdom are considered third country licences. Accordingly, the IMT - Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (equivalent to DVLA) released new rules for UK driving licences.

The UK is treated in accordance with the legislation applicable to countries that conform to the International Road Traffic Conventions. This means that holders of UK licences are allowed to drive motor vehicles in Portugal for the first 185 days after entering the country, given that they are not residents.

After obtaining residence, UK citizens should consider the following legal deadlines:

Until 90 days after being legally residing in Portugal, to exchange their driving licences for Portuguese licence, with no need for a practical driving test;
From the 90 days and up to 2 years, it is still possible to apply to IMT for an exchange, with no need for a practical driving test, but it is no longer possible to drive with a British driving licence in Portugal;
After 2 years, the exchange of driving licences is subject to a practical driving test.

Please note that British residents who have already registered their UK driving licences with IMT before 1 January 2021 must also exchange their licences, since they are no longer recognised as driving licences issued by a European Union or European Economic Area Country.

We shall be delighted to assist you with this exchange, validating the required documents and accompanying you to the IMT biometrics appointment.

Please consider that one of the mandatory steps to be taken in order to exchange your driving licence is to obtain a Portuguese Medical Certificate, which requires the applicant to have a registration with the Portuguese National Health System (SNS).

If you are not registered at the Health Center, we will be delighted to assist you. The registration must be made at the Health Center of your address area. Documents and opening hours may vary depending on the Health Center.

In addition, please be informed that this registration is also crucial to guarantee that you will be contacted for COVID-19 vaccination. (All information is available at the official guide vaccination plan - PT version only)

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Immigration Law Update: Major Changes for CPLP Citizens

21 February 2025

On Friday, 14 February 2025, Law No. 9/2025 came into effect, introducing amendments to Law No. 23/2007 of 4 July, which governs the legal framework for the entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreign nationals from Portugal. For context, Law No. 9/2025 introduced amendments to seven articles, aiming to facilitate and simplify the entry and stay of citizens from the Member States of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in Portugal. The CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries – Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) is an international organisation comprising countries where Portuguese is an official language. Its primary objectives are to promote cooperation in political, economic, and cultural areas among its member states while fostering the Portuguese language and cultural exchange. Among the amendments, Article 75, paragraph 2 is particularly noteworthy. It states: When the applicant is covered by the CPLP Agreement and holds a short-stay visa or has legal entry into the national territory, they may apply for a temporary residence permit. In practical terms, this means that citizens who enter Portugal legally can apply for a temporary residence permit without the need for a visa. They simply need to enter the country as tourists, as is the case for citizens of CPLP member states. Tourist stays are limited to a maximum period of 90 days. Citizens from countries that are not members of the CPLP can still apply for a temporary residence permit; however, they must first obtain the appropriate visa . Temporary stay visas are intended for individuals planning to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days but less than one year. Various types of temporary stay visas are available to accommodate different purposes, such as medical treatment, family reunification, employment, study, and seasonal work. These visas are formally classified as E1 Visa, E2 Visa, and so forth. The member states of the CPLP include: The Republic of Angola The Federative Republic of Brazil The Republic of Cape Verde The Republic of Guinea-Bissau The Republic of Equatorial Guinea The Republic of Mozambique The Portuguese Republic The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Portugal stands out as a jurisdiction that facilitates the transfer of wealth.

Inheritance and Wills in Portugal: A Tax-Free Legacy for Close Family Members

by Margarida Tempera • 13 February 2025

Portugal’s favourable inheritance laws make it an excellent choice for individuals seeking to efficiently secure their family's financial future.

At LVP Advogados, we provide personalised guidance to navigate the complexities of these visas.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Portugal Temporary Stay Visas

by Luís Maria Branco • 6 February 2025

Portugal’s comprehensive Temporary Stay Visas offer customised solutions for a variety of personal and professional needs.

This option is ideal for those residents who fall in love with Portugal.

To Be or Not to Be a Permanent Resident: Your Options After Five Years of Calling Portugal Home

by Danielle Avidago • 5 February 2025

Portuguese immigration law allows two paths: the Permanent Residence and the Long-Term Resident Status.

AIMA Subpoena Data: Understanding the Real Numbers

4 February 2025

As of 4th February 2025, the total number of pending AIMA subpoenas by the end of January, specifically until the 31st, stood at approximately 50,046 cases. Despite this high number, the subpoenas in January reflected a downward trend, with a daily average of 335 cases. For context, the daily average in November 2024 was 536 cases, while in December 2024, it was 404 cases.