Toll in Portugal
What is a toll (requirement)?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll requirement. But what does that mean? For using many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges, so-called toll fees are charged. The money collected through tolls is invested, for example, in the road network. This helps ensure a smooth journey on your way to your holiday. The primary areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: new technologies such as intelligent transport systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll collected?
In general, tolls can be collected in different ways. These include the vignette requirement, distance-based tolling, and special tolls.
Distance-based toll
In Portugal, there is only a distance-based toll, which mainly applies to the country’s motorways. Two types of toll roads are distinguished: conventional motorways with toll booths (payment in cash or by card) and motorways subject to an electronic toll system and therefore without toll booths. A vignette requirement does not exist in Portugal.
Maximum time rule
In addition, the following rule applies for the time spent between two toll stations: the maximum duration is 12 hours. If this time limit is exceeded, the double fee for the longest possible route to the toll station/exit is charged.
Special tolls on bridges
Portugal also charges a special toll on two bridges. These special-toll bridges are the Ponte Vasco da Gama Bridge near Lisbon and the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge near Lisbon. These special toll routes charge a flat fee depending on the vehicle class, meaning that no distance-based toll is applied for these special tolls. Vehicles are divided into the following categories:
Car
Car with trailer (combination)
Motorcycle
Motorhome (camper van)
Rules and vehicle classes for distance-based tolls
Rules
Different rules apply to motor vehicles that you should consider for your trip and when determining the vehicle class:
Cars: are charged different toll rates depending on the front axle height (below/at or above 1.1 m), i.e. the toll amount depends on the front axle height.
Combinations: combinations with a towing vehicle up to 1.1 m front axle height are classified as cars. Combinations with a towing vehicle over 1.1 m front axle height are charged depending on the total number of axles.
Motorhomes: are assigned to vehicle classes based on the number of axles. Tandem axles count as two axles.
Vehicle classes
In Portugal, the following vehicle classes determine the toll amount:
Class 1: motorcycles and cars (also with trailer) with a front axle height below 1.1 m
Class 2: vehicles with two axles and a front axle height of 1.1 m or higher
Class 3: vehicles with three axles and a front axle height of 1.1 m or higher
Class 4: vehicles with more than three axles and a front axle height of 1.1 m or higher
Paying the toll
Tolls in Portugal can be paid in advance conveniently at a machine, online, or with the help of a toll box, or directly at the existing toll stations. In general, manual or electronic payment is possible. Please note that most rental cars have a Via Verde transponder installed and the toll is therefore billed automatically.
Manual payment
Manual payment is possible if you take a ticket at the toll station and pay it in cash or by credit card (Mastercard, Visa) when exiting or changing the motorway. Please note, however, that some motorways (such as A7, A8, A11, A15, A17) cannot be paid by credit card.
Electronic payment
If you prefer to pay electronically and are driving to Portugal with a foreign vehicle, you need a registration for electronic toll collection via EASYToll or TOLLCard. Alternatively, you can purchase a transponder, e.g. from Via Verde.
Depending on the system chosen, electronic payment is made in advance or deducted from a balance or a credit card.
On the following motorways, you can pay the toll for certain sections only electronically:
A4
A17
A19
A25
A28
A29
A33
A41
A42
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a safe trip and a memorable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can reach us anytime by email.
FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
Is there a vignette requirement in Portugal?
No. There is no vignette requirement in Portugal. Only a distance-based toll applies, mainly on motorways. In addition, there are special toll routes.
What types of toll roads are there in Portugal?
There are conventional motorways with toll stations (payment in cash or by card) as well as motorways with an electronic toll system without toll booths.
How long am I allowed to be between two toll stations?
A maximum duration of 12 hours applies between two toll stations. If the time limit is exceeded, the double fee for the longest possible route to the toll station/exit is charged.
Which bridges are subject to a special toll?
Portugal charges a special toll on two bridges: the Ponte Vasco da Gama in Lisbon and the Ponte 25 de Abril in Lisbon.
What does the toll amount depend on?
The toll amount depends on the distance travelled and the vehicle class. For cars, the front axle height (below/at or above 1.1 m) is an important factor.
Which vehicle classes are there?
There are four classes: Class 1 (motorcycles and cars below 1.1 m front axle height), Class 2 (two axles, front axle height 1.1 m or higher), Class 3 (three axles, front axle height 1.1 m or higher), and Class 4 (more than three axles, front axle height 1.1 m or higher).
Can I also pay the toll manually in Portugal?
Yes. You take a ticket at the toll station and pay when exiting or changing the motorway in cash or by credit card (Mastercard, Visa). Please note that some motorways (A7, A8, A11, A15, A17) cannot be paid by credit card.
How does electronic payment work for foreign vehicles?
For electronic tolling, foreign vehicles need a registration via EASYToll or TOLLCard. Alternatively, you can buy a transponder (e.g. Via Verde). Depending on the system, payment is made in advance or deducted from a balance or a credit card.
On which motorways is only electronic payment possible?
On certain sections, toll payment is only possible electronically, e.g. on: A4, A17, A19, A25, A28, A29, A33, A41, and A42.
