Driving in Portugal with an Australian Driver Licence 

Use of Australian Driver Licences within Portugal

Most Australian drivers licence holders can drive in Portugal with a valid Australian licence.  Ensure you meet the requirements outlined by the Portuguese Institute for Mobility and Transportation (IMT) at:

5 situation OECD and CPLP (3) (imtonline.pt)
Exchange a foreign driving licence for a Portuguese driving licence - ePortugal.gov.pt

If you do not meet the requirements and are temporarily travelling to Portugal, we strongly advise you obtain an International Driving Permit prior to departing Australia International Driving Permits - Australian Automobile Association (aaa.asn.au)

Please note local authorities and car rental companies require the presentation of an original driver licence.  Australian digital driver licences are not accepted in Portugal. 

Exchanging an Australian Driver Licence for a Portuguese Licence

If you are the holder of an Australian driver licence, are 60 years of age and residing in Portugal, you are required to exchange your  Australian licence for a Portuguese licence trocas-titulos-estrangeiros-en (imtonline.pt). 

You can access Exchange of Foreign Driving License Application to check the requirements and submit your form online to the Portuguese Institute for Mobillity and Transportation (IMT).     

 

Obtaining a Driver Licence History Certificate from Australia

One of the necessary requirements by IMT is to obtain a record of your driver licence history from the relevant State/Territory.  Once you obtain this certificate, the embassy can legalise the document in order for you to include in your application to the IMT.   

You will need to directly contact the relevant State/Territory Motor Transport Authority, requesting the issue of a "Licence History" certificate confirming:

• you are the holder of a valid driver licence
• the type and class of licence you hold
• when the licence was first issued and the expiry date.  

To expedite the process, you should advise the relevant State/Territory driving authority that:

• the certificate will be used to exchange your Australian driver licence for a Portuguese licence
• the certificate will be legalised by the Australian Embassy in Lisbon and should therefore include a valid seal or signature recognised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• a digital copy of the certificate must be emailed directly to the Embassy ([email protected]) for legalisation.  We cannot accept a digital certificate forwarded from your email to the embassy.  

The Embassy can also authenticate original certificates sent by post, provided the original certificate carries a valid seal or signature recognised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  

Once we receive the certificate, we will ask you to undertake payment of the notarial service fee (credit or debit card).  Upon payment, the embassy will proceed to legalise the document and you can elect to either collect the certificate from the Embassy or we can send it to your nominated postal address.

Please note original/hardcopy certificates that are unsigned or contain signatures not recognised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will not be accepted by the Embassy for legalisation purposes.  Further information about legalisation of documents can be found at  http://smartraveller.gov.au/services/legalising-documents/Pages/overseas.aspx for further information. 

 

Important Points  Driver Licence certificates that do not contain a recognised signature or seal, are ineligible for legalisation/authentication by the Embassy.     Legalisation/authentication of the document is to certify the authenticity of the signature and does NOT relate to information contained in the document.   Electronically issued certificates must be emailed directly to the embassy ([email protected]) by the relevant State/Territory authority in order to be legalised.

 

Renewal of your Australian driver licence

 The Australian Embassy in Lisbon is unable to assist with the renewal of your Australian driver licence. You will need to contact the relevant State/Territory and follow the renewal requirements for holders residing outside of Australia.  

A Consular Officer can witness your signature on a renewal form and certify identification documents, should this be required.  This incurs a notarial service fee and you will need to book an appointment. 

 

Use of foreign driving licences within Australia

If you are a temporary visitor to Australia and carry a Portuguese driver licence, you are permitted to drive as long as the details contained in your licence are in English.  Otherwise, you will need to acquire an International Driving Permit prior to arriving in Australia.  Please contact the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes, I.P. (IMT) to enquire about obtaining an International Driving Permit.