Nearly all motorways are toll roads in Portugal. They're managed by private companies that are responsible for road construction and maintenance, which means Portugal tolls are not standardized across the country. The price of the toll is determined by each company based on the route and vehicle class.
BUY VIGNETTE
With such an extensive collection of toll roads, it can seem overwhelming to drivers who are new to the country and not used to encountering so many. Fortunately, we sell a badge that will make the process much easier. These toll tags, along with other available payment methods, can be used to conveniently drive toll roads in Portugal.
The Portuguese Toll System
Portugal's toll road system includes both conventional and electronic tolls. Conventional tolls have booths where drivers can pay with cash, bank card, or Via Verde, which is an electronic toll system. There are no booths to stop at for paying electronic tolls. Instead, payment is automated using sensors and cameras. We'll detail the payment options further along under "How to Pay."
Overview Of Portuguese Toll Roads
As noted, the toll system in Portugal includes most roads. The network has a mix of national roads (EN, Estradas nacionais), main routes (IP, Itinerarios Principais), motorways (AE, Autoestradas), municipal roads (Estradas Municipais), and complementary roads (IC, Itinerarios Complementares). A majority are electronic but some have conventional tolls with toll booths.
A detailed map is provided here. The major toll roads you're likely to encounter include the following:
- A1: A 303 km (188.2 mi) stretch between Lisbon and Porto.
- A2: A 118.2 km (73.4 mi) stretch between Lisbon and the Algarve
- A25: Connects central Portugal to Spain, running approximately 194 km (120 mi)
- A28: A 116 km (72 mi) stretch between Porto and Valenca
- A22: A 67 km (41.6 mi) stretch between Faro and Portimao
Bridge and Tunnel Toll
There are only two bridges requiring additional tolls in Portugal. That includes the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge and the Ponte Vasco da Gama Bridge which both span the Tagus River in Lisbon. Tolls are only charged when driving from south to north.
Ponte 25 de Abril
| Vehicle category |
Price |
| Passenger car |
€2.10 |
| Trailer |
€2.10 |
| Motorcycle |
€2.10 |
| Campervan |
€4.60 |
Ponte Vasco da Gama
| Vehicle category |
Price |
| Passenger car |
€3.20 |
| Trailer |
€3.20 |
| Motorcycle |
€3.20 |
| Campervan |
€7.15 |
Vehicle Categories and Toll Rates
As noted, the toll system in Portugal includes most roads. The network has a mix of national roads (EN, Estradas nacionais), main routes (IP, Itinerarios Principais), motorways (AE, Autoestradas), municipal roads (Estradas Municipais), and complementary roads (IC, Itinerarios Complementares). A majority are electronic but some have conventional tolls with toll booths.
A detailed map is provided here. The major toll roads you're likely to encounter include the following:
| Category |
Type of Vehicle |
| 1 |
Cars, including those with trailers, with a height under 1.1 meters at the front axle, and motorcycles |
| 2 |
Motor vehicles with two axles and a height of 1.1 meters or above at the front axles |
| 3 |
Motor vehicles with three axles and a height of 1.1 meters or higher at the front axle |
| 4 |
Motor vehicles with over three axles and a height of 1.1 meters or higher at the front axle |
The average toll payment for Portugal's roads is approximately 8 cents per kilometer but the cost depends on the distance traveled, the particular route, and the type of vehicle category as outlined above. This makes Portugal one of the cheapest countries to drive in compared to other European countries that levy motorway tolls. With a price of 8 cents per kilometer the Portuguese toll roads are about 3 cents cheaper per kilometer than the Spanish toll roads.
For example, if you drive the A2 from Lisbon to Ourique in a Category 2 passenger car, approximately 191 km, the cost would be €16.30. Driving a Category 1 passenger car from Lisbon to Faro, 279 km, would cost €18.26.
How To Pay
There are multiple payment options available as mentioned, including the following:
Toll Tag
Toll tags will allow you to bypass all electronically tolled routes and drive on the conventional routes. With the Tollwayr toll tags travel is much more convenient as there is no need to stop with payment automatic.
We highly advise you to use a Toll Tag, whether that be the one we sell or one of our competitors. We’ve used the toll tag in 2024 and you only need to slow down a little to 80km/h when passing the toll booths. This makes it by far the fastest way to travel in Portugal.
BUY
Easy Toll
This system allows you to register your license plate for up to one month, ideal for foreign vehicles in Portugal for a shorter period of time. It's possible to register online or at EasyToll booths. When registering, you'll link your credit card to the account. As you drive through a toll barrier, your license plate will be photographed and the toll is debited from your credit card.
Toll Card
The Toll Card system allows you to assign a prepaid card in various denominations from €5 to €40. When you pass through an electronic toll barrier, your license plate will be photographed and the toll charge will be debited from the Toll Card.
Prepaid Card
Virtual prepaid cards are also available and are designed for those planning a short stay in the country. You'll pay the toll in advance which is determined by your vehicle category. You can choose a card that is defined by your route or a 3-day card which is valid for all routes.
Via Verde
Via Verde works with a transponder. It allows you to pass electronically tolled routes and drive on conventional routes using the Via Verde lane. After passing the toll station, the toll is charged to the credit card you have on file.
Vignettes for the Portuguese LEZ
There are no vignettes in Portugal, only the toll payment methods as noted above. However, there are Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Portugal, similar to many other European countries such as Spain and France. These are defined areas in which certain types of vehicles are banned from entering except under specific conditions as they emit too much pollution.
In Portugal, these Green Zones are referred to as Zona de Emissões Reduzidas (ZER) (Emission Reduced Zone). There are only two, and both are located in Lisbon, bordered by the River Tagus to the south. They apply from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The first zone, Lisbon 1 is called ABC, an abbreviation for Avenida, Baixa and Chiada, which is where it is located. Only vehicles with emissions that correspond to at least Euroclass 3 have access to this zone. However, this does not apply to the major crossroads running through from east to west.
Lisbon 2 is the larger zone, encompassing Lisbon's old center which also includes Lisbon 1 as the route is a large semicircle. Here, vehicles that comply with Euronorm 2 are sufficient.
Toll Controls and Fines
Motorway toll compliance in Portugal is controlled via cameras. Those driving foreign vehicles who disregard Portugal toll regulations will be subject to fines between €25 and €125 plus an administrative fee.
It is possible to pay tolls retrospectively if you fail to pay when driving a vehicle registered in Portugal, such as a rental (hire) car. Payments can be made at any post office two days after the incident. If you do not pay the toll within five days, you will be fined and will still have to pay the original toll cost. Note that it can be very expensive if the car rental/hire company pays this for you as they will in turn charge the credit card you used when picking up the car. The specific amount is set by each company.
Spain