How tolls work in Portugal

Portugal has an extensive network of motorways (Autoestradas) that make it easy to travel around the country, but many of them require tolls. For drivers who are not familiar with the Portuguese toll system, it is essential to understand how tolls work, the payment methods available, the signs that identify them and the consequences of not paying.

Before travelling, you can check the toll map and costs at portagens.infraestruturasdeportugal.pt.

Types of tolls in Portugal

There are two types of tolls in Portugal: traditional tolls (with barriers) and electronic tolls (without barriers). Each has specific characteristics and associated payment methods.

Traditional tolls (with barriers)

Traditional tolls work in a similar way to those in other countries, such as Spain. When entering the motorway, the driver takes a ticket and pays the corresponding amount according to the distance travelled when exiting. Motorways with traditional tolls are signposted with a sign indicating “Portagem” (toll in Portuguese) and show the available lanes, including those marked with a white “V” on a green background for Via Verde.

  • Payment methods:
    • Cash (euros).
    • Bank card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro).
    • Via an electronic toll device, such as Via Verde.
  • Lanes:
    • Manual lanes: for cash or card payments, attended by an operator or via automatic machines.
    • Via Verde lanes: reserved exclusively for vehicles with electronic toll devices. Using these lanes without an active device may result in fines.

Electronic tolls (no barriers)

Electronic tolls, also known as ‘free flow’ tolls, have no physical barriers or booths. Payment is made via gantries equipped with cameras that record the vehicle’s registration number. The amount must be paid through a previously registered electronic system. Motorways with electronic tolls are clearly marked with a sign indicating ‘Electronic Toll Only’ or ‘Portagem Eletrónica’. In addition, next to each gantry, a sign shows the applicable rates according to the vehicle class.

Payment methods: require an electronic payment system, which is detailed in the following section. The 3-day virtual cards, which allowed unlimited travel for three days, and the multi-trip cards, used for predefined journeys to or from Porto and Faro airports, are no longer available.

Payment methods for electronic tolls in Portugal

Foreign drivers must register a means of payment for barrier-free tolls before driving on these motorways. The available payment options are detailed below:

1. EasyToll

EasyToll is a system that links the vehicle’s registration number to a bank card (Visa, Mastercard or Maestro). Each time the vehicle passes through a toll gate, an automatic charge is made to the card.

  • Validity: 30 days.
  • Registration:
    • At physical terminals located at border points:
      • A28: Viana do Castelo.
      • A24: 3.5 km from the Chaves/Verín border.
      • A25: Alto de Leomil service area (Vilar Formoso).
      • A22: Vila Real de Santo António.
    • Online at www.portugaltolls.com.
  • Advantages: easy to activate (activation cost £0.74), ideal for short stays in Portugal.
  • Tip: it is important to keep the registration receipt and check that the registration number is correct. This system is not recommended for rental vehicles.

2. TollCard

TollCard is a virtual prepaid card linked to your registration number, with amounts of £5, £10, £20 or £40, plus a £1 registration fee.

  • Validity: 1 year after activation. Any unused balance is refundable.
  • Purchase and activation:
    • Online at www.ctt.pt or www.portugaltolls.com.
    • At Correios de Portugal (CTT) offices, some petrol stations or shops in the Payshop network.
    • Activation is done online or by sending an SMS with the card code and registration number.
  • Advantages: it is flexible and allows you to accumulate credit from several cards for the same registration number.
  • Tip: check your balance regularly on the Portugal Tolls website or app.

3. Via Verde Visitors

Temporary electronic toll device that is placed on the vehicle’s windscreen and allows automatic payment at traditional and electronic tolls.

  • Cost: £4.99 for the first month, plus £1.59 per additional month. No deposit or loyalty fee. You will only be charged the monthly fee for the months in which you use the service.
  • Validity: up to 90 days, renewable.
  • Purchase: online at www.viaverde.pt or at Via Verde stores.
  • Advantages: valid on all Portuguese motorways. It also offers discounts at car parks and service stations.

Fines for non-payment of tolls

Failure to pay a toll in Portugal is an offence punishable by the following fines:

  • For electronic tolls: minimum of £25 and up to 7.5 times the toll amount, with a maximum of £100.
  • For traditional tolls: minimum of £25 and up to 10 times the toll amount if a Via Verde lane is used without the required device.

Fines are sent to the registered address of the vehicle, even abroad. In the case of rental vehicles, the fine is notified to the company, which is obliged to provide the driver’s details. If the fine is not paid voluntarily, the debt may be increased by administrative surcharges. The National Republican Guard may immobilise the vehicle in Portugal if it detects outstanding fines.

How to avoid fines: payment of outstanding tolls

If a driver travels on an electronic toll motorway without a registered payment system, it is still possible to avoid fines by paying the outstanding amounts within a period of 24 hours. To do this, you will need to purchase a TollCard and link it to your vehicle’s registration number.

If more than 24 hours have passed since you drove on a toll motorway without a registered payment system, you can check your unpaid tolls at www.pagamentodeportagens.pt. Unpaid tolls may take up to 30 days to appear on this page. Outstanding tolls must be paid on the website of the concessionaire, Ascendi, Via Livre or Globalvia. We recommend that you keep your payment receipts, as they may be necessary to appeal against incorrect fines.

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