Toll in Portugal
What is a toll (obligation)?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll obligation. But what does this mean? Toll fees are charged for the use of many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges. The money generated through the toll is invested, for example, in the road network. This ensures 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 traffic systems or toll gantries
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll collected?
In general, the toll can be collected in various forms. These include the vignette obligation, the distance-based toll and the special toll.
Distance-based toll
In Portugal there is only a distance-based toll, which mainly applies to the country's motorways. A distinction is made between two types of toll routes: conventional motorways with toll stations (payment in cash or by card) and motorways subject to an electronic toll, which therefore have no toll stations. There is no vignette obligation in Portugal.
Maximum duration rule
In addition, the following rule applies to the time spent between two toll points: the maximum duration is 12 hours. If this time limit is exceeded, double the fee for the longest distance to the payment point/exit is charged.
Special toll on bridges
Portugal also has a special toll for two bridges. The bridges subject to the special toll include the Ponte Vasco de 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 charged for the special tolls. Vehicles at the tunnels are divided into the following categories:
Car
Vehicle with trailer
Motorcycle
Camper van
Regulations and vehicle classes for the distance-based toll
Regulations
Various regulations apply to motor vehicles, which you should take into account during your trip and regarding vehicle classes:
Cars: are charged tolls at different rates depending on the height of the front axle (below/above 1.1 m), i.e. the toll amount also differs depending on the height of the front axle.
Vehicles with trailers: combinations with a towing vehicle up to 1.1 m in height at the front axle are treated as cars. Combinations with a towing vehicle over 1.1 m in height at the front axle are tolled according to the number of axles of the entire combination.
Motorhomes: are assigned to vehicle classes according to the number of axles. Tandem axles count as two axles.
Vehicle classes
The following vehicle classes exist in Portugal, which determine the amount of the toll:
Class 1: motorcycles and cars (including with trailer) with a height of less than 1.1 m at the front axle
Class 2: motor vehicles with two axles and a front axle height of 1.1 m or higher
Class 3: motor vehicles with three axles and a front axle height of 1.1 m or higher
Class 4: motor vehicles with more than three axles and a front axle height of 1.1 m or higher
Paying the toll
The toll in Portugal can be conveniently paid in advance at a machine, online or using a toll box, or directly at the existing toll stations. In general, both manual and electronic payment are possible. Please note that most rental cars have a Via Verde transponder installed, meaning the toll is 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 leaving or changing motorways. Please note, however, that some motorways (such as the A7, A8, A11, A15, A17) do not accept credit card payments.
Electronic payment
If you would like to pay electronically and are travelling to Portugal with a foreign vehicle, you will need to register via EASYToll or TOLLCard for electronic toll collection. Alternatively, you can purchase a transponder, for example from Via Verde.
Payment for the electronic payment is made (depending on the system chosen) in advance, or is deducted from a credit balance or a credit card.
On the following motorways, you can only pay the toll for certain sections electronically:
A4
A17
A19
A25
A28
A29
A33
A41
A42
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a safe journey and an unforgettable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ about your trip to Portugal
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, which mainly affects the 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 by cash or card) as well as motorways with electronic tolls without toll stations.
How long am I allowed to travel between two toll stations?
A maximum duration of 12 hours applies between two toll stations. If this time limit is exceeded, double the fee will be charged for the longest possible route to the payment station/exit.
For which bridges is a special toll charged?
In Portugal, a special toll applies to two bridges: the Ponte Vasco de Gama near Lisbon and the Ponte 25 de Abril near Lisbon.
What does the amount of the toll depend on?
The amount of the toll depends on the distance traveled and the vehicle class. For cars, among other things, the height at the front axle (up to/from 1.1 m) is decisive.
What vehicle classes are there?
There are four classes: Class 1 (motorcycles and cars with a front axle height under 1.1 m), Class 2 (two axles, front axle from 1.1 m), Class 3 (three axles, front axle from 1.1 m), and Class 4 (more than three axles, front axle from 1.1 m).
Can I also pay the toll in Portugal manually?
Yes. You take a ticket at the toll station and pay in cash or by credit card (Mastercard, Visa) when leaving or changing motorways. However, 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 the electronic toll, foreign vehicles need to register via EASYToll or TOLLCard. Alternatively, you can purchase a transponder (e.g. Via Verde). Depending on the system, payment is made in advance or deducted from a credit balance or a credit card.
"}On which motorways is only electronic payment possible?
On certain routes, tolls can only be paid electronically, including on: A4, A17, A19, A25, A28, A29, A33, A41 and A42.
