Updated April 4, 2022

Your Guide To Renting A Car In Portugal

Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com

Why should you rent a car in Portugal?

Diverse, historic, and picturesque, Portugal is one of the hottest travel destinations in Europe for a good reason — or rather, many of them. Some travelers come for the atmosphere and sophistication of its two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto. Others are attracted by the beautiful beaches of the Algarve or the majestic palaces of Sintra. Others yet come to surf Europe's most impressive waves in spots like Nazare and Peniche or enjoy the rural charms of Alentejo, a famous winemaking region.

Getting a rental car will let you explore and experience as many of these amazing things as you like. As much as travel in Portugal is about its impressive landmarks, it is even more about sleepy villages, hospitable people, home-made meals, and scenic road trips. Make your own adventure in this amazing country, and you're likely to want to return again and again.
Top Tips:
  • If you can, pick up and drop off your rental car at the airport — you will likely save money doing this. Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports are not only the main air hubs of the country, but they also offer the widest choice and best prices for rental cars.
  • If you can, set aside at least three or four days for seeing either Lisbon and Porto — both are among the most interesting and hospitable cities in Europe.
  • For lovers of adventure, many parts of Portugal remain relatively unexplored by foreign tourists and have a very authentic feel to them. These include most of the country's interior, the Alentejo region, and even the inland parts of Algarve.
  • As beautiful as Portugal is, it has periodically suffered from devastating wildfires (especially in the south of the country). Check the latest forecast, especially if you plan to travel outside the cities!
  • Even if you're not a surfing enthusiast, consider visiting Nazare, the little town that is home to some of the most powerful waves on either side of the Atlantic.
  • Familiarize yourself with the rental conditions such as the mileage and fuel policies before booking a car!
  • With both Portugal and Spain being member states of the European Union, cross-border trips are definitely possible! If you're in Porto, consider a trip to the neighboring region of Galicia. Many visitors to the Algarve also pop over the border to Andalusia. Although not all, many rental car suppliers allow international one-way rentals — see which by entering the pick-up and drop-off locations when searching!
  • Portugal has some of the cheapest rental cars in Western Europe! If you're visiting during the low season and know how to drive a manual, finding deals as cheap as €5 per day is perfectly possible!
  • Going with the cheapest possible deal is tempting, but make sure to always check the rating and reviews of the car rental car company. The highest-rated companies in Portugal are Interrent, Carwiz, National, and Alamo.

Your Guide to Traveling Around Portugal with a Rental Car

By Aleksandrs Buraks | Last updated April 4, 2022
Top Tips:
  • If you can, pick up and drop off your rental car at the airport — you will likely save money doing this. Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports are not only the main air hubs of the country, but they also offer the widest choice and best prices for rental cars.
  • If you can, set aside at least three or four days for seeing either Lisbon and Porto — both are among the most interesting and hospitable cities in Europe.
  • For lovers of adventure, many parts of Portugal remain relatively unexplored by foreign tourists and have a very authentic feel to them. These include most of the country's interior, the Alentejo region, and even the inland parts of Algarve.
  • As beautiful as Portugal is, it has periodically suffered from devastating wildfires (especially in the south of the country). Check the latest forecast, especially if you plan to travel outside the cities!
  • Even if you're not a surfing enthusiast, consider visiting Nazare, the little town that is home to some of the most powerful waves on either side of the Atlantic.
  • Familiarize yourself with the rental conditions such as the mileage and fuel policies before booking a car!
  • With both Portugal and Spain being member states of the European Union, cross-border trips are definitely possible! If you're in Porto, consider a trip to the neighboring region of Galicia. Many visitors to the Algarve also pop over the border to Andalusia. Although not all, many rental car suppliers allow international one-way rentals — see which by entering the pick-up and drop-off locations when searching!
  • Portugal has some of the cheapest rental cars in Western Europe! If you're visiting during the low season and know how to drive a manual, finding deals as cheap as €5 per day is perfectly possible!
  • Going with the cheapest possible deal is tempting, but make sure to always check the rating and reviews of the car rental car company. The highest-rated companies in Portugal are Interrent, Carwiz, National, and Alamo.

Why should you rent a car in Portugal?

Diverse, historic, and picturesque, Portugal is one of the hottest travel destinations in Europe for a good reason — or rather, many of them. Some travelers come for the atmosphere and sophistication of its two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto. Others are attracted by the beautiful beaches of the Algarve or the majestic palaces of Sintra. Others yet come to surf Europe's most impressive waves in spots like Nazare and Peniche or enjoy the rural charms of Alentejo, a famous winemaking region.

Getting a rental car will let you explore and experience as many of these amazing things as you like. As much as travel in Portugal is about its impressive landmarks, it is even more about sleepy villages, hospitable people, home-made meals, and scenic road trips. Make your own adventure in this amazing country, and you're likely to want to return again and again.

When should you go to Portugal?

The tourist season in Lisbon lasts roughly from April to October — the warmer half of the year. The number of visitors is especially high from June to early-September. Although Lisbon's summers can be very hot, they are somewhat tempered by the city's location on the Atlantic coast. Lisbon can also be very nice to visit during the low season as the number of other tourists is smaller and the city has some of the mildest winters in Europe (albeit with some increases in the amount of rain, especially in November and December). The average high temperature in Lisbon is 22.1 °C (71.8 °F) in May, 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in August and 18.2 °C (64.8 °F) in November.

Porto's weather is comparable to that of Lisbon — the city is only about 300 km (185 miles) to the north — but with temperatures usually a couple of degrees lower. Porto also receives nearly twice as much rain every year, with the amount of precipitation highest from October all the way to early April. Consequently, the city is the nicest to visit from late spring to late September. The average high temperature is 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) in May, 25.7 °C (77.5 °F) in August and 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in November.
The southern region known as the Algarve is famous for its year-round good weather. Most travelers come from April until October, and the months of July and August are especially busy as that is when the ocean is the warmest and most Portuguese people take vacations coming down from Lisbon and the north. The Algarve has something of a rainy season every December and January, but overall the region's winters are exceptionally mild and some travelers from colder parts of Europe have even compared it to their summers.

It is possible to surf in Portugal at any time of the year, although some might find the ocean too cold from October to February. If you're visiting during the winter months, the Algarve might be your best bet, but during summer, even the northernmost part of the country is great for surfing. On the other hand, Nazare — which holds the global record as the place where the biggest wave ever surfed was — gets the most impressive waves during the winter months, so if you're more into watching the sea and less into getting wet yourself, this is the best time to go.

Now that you've decided when to travel to Portugal, check out our prices for the dates you have chosen!

Where should you pick up a car in Portugal?

Most visitors to Portugal prefer to pick up a rental car at the airport. There are three international airports in mainland Portugal: Porto Airport which mainly serves the north of the country, Lisbon Airport which serves the capital city region, and Faro Airport which serves the south. Lisbon Airport is by far the largest of the three, providing flights to and from destinations in the rest of Europe, as well as in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. All three airports are served by a number of low-cost airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia, Wizz Air, and Vueling.

In addition to airports, it is also possible to pick up rental cars at different other locations like train stations and international hotels. Some rental car providers offer a meet-and-greet service. It is possible to pick up or drop off a rental car at locations in many Portuguese cities and towns that do not have an airport such as Coimbra, Aveiro, Albufeira, and Setubal.

Many car rental providers in Portugal provide one-way rentals which give travelers the opportunity to explore the country without the need to return to where they picked the rental car up. A trip between Lisbon and Porto is one of the most popular one-way rentals in Europe with thousands of tourists traveling the route every year. Most car rental companies charge a fee for one-way rentals. International one-way rentals are also possible, so it is not uncommon for tourists to travel in a rental car between Porto and Santiago de Compostela, Faro and Seville, or even Lisbon and Madrid.

Keep in mind: Most car rental companies charge a fee for one-way rentals.

How easy is it to travel around Portugal independently?

Beautiful, accessible, and home to some of the friendliest people on the continent, Portugal is a great nation to explore on your own. Many travelers name it as their favorite destination in Europe, ahead of countries like France and Italy, mainly thanks to the country's pleasant atmosphere and relaxed pace of life.

The road network in Portugal, while perhaps not as great as in some other Western European countries, is in very decent shape, and traveling around the country is easy. The main highways are in great condition while secondary roads are catching up. Getting a GPS device for your vehicle is nonetheless advisable — it will help you to find your way both in more rural parts of the country and in Portugal's historic cities and towns which are well known for their narrow and complicated roads.

How safe is it to travel around Portugal by car?

Overall, Portugal is a very safe country to travel - the crime rates are low and the police are trustworthy. The general emergency number in Portugal, like elsewhere in the European Union, is 112.

Overall, Portugal's driving culture is quite relaxed, and while Portugal, like most places, does have its share of reckless drivers, it's nothing that you should especially worry about. There are a few mountain ranges in Portugal where you'll find some steep and narrow roads where you have to be extra cautious, but the Portuguese mountains are considerably lower than, say, the Alps, Pyrenees, or the Sierra Nevada in Southern Spain, so even drivers with no prior experience with driving in the mountains usually manage it well. Furthermore, the highest elevation in Portugal can be found in the interior parts of the country, far from most of the tourist attractions. The highest point of continental Portugal, Torre of Serra de Estrela, stands at 1,993 m (6,539 ft).

Pickpocketing and other petty crimes occur in Lisbon, Porto, and elsewhere in the country, especially near popular tourist attractions. Keep your belongings close and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it!

During the last decade, forest fires have become a serious issue in Portugal, particularly in the inland and southern parts of the country. Often starting at eucalyptus plantations which are highly prone to wildfire during the hottest months of the year, the fires have destroyed a significant amount of farmland and entire villages. Although there are many watchtowers and the response is usually swift, wildfires can spread at terrifying speed.

Insider's tip: If you're visiting Portugal any time from April to October and plan to travel away from cities and especially to inland areas, make sure to get the latest wildfire forecast and follow the news of the area that you are visiting.

What languages are spoken in Portugal?

The official and main language of Portugal is, of course, Portuguese. Portuguese spoken in Portugal differs quite significantly from the many dialects of Brazilian Portuguese — there are differences in accents and vocabulary; nonetheless both languages are definitely mutually intelligible. Creole languages largely based on Portuguese, such as Papiamento (spoken in the Caribbean), have more noticeable differences from standard Portuguese.

Although Portuguese and Spanish are both Romance languages and share many similarities, speakers of Spanish should not expect to understand Portuguese — the differences are quite pronounced. Usually, Portuguese speakers have an easier time understanding Spanish speakers than the other way around, although experiences vary. Galician, sometimes considered a separate language and spoken in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia that borders Northern Portugal, is sometimes considered the closest variant of Spanish to Portuguese. (Understandably, there are some Portuguese in Portugal who know Spanish because they have specifically learned the language).

The level of knowledge of English in Portugal varies considerably — it is quite high among the inhabitants of Lisbon and Porto and the younger generations, especially those working in the tourism and service industries, but can be almost nonexistent in some rural regions. Overall, the level of knowledge of English in Portugal is somewhat higher than in neighboring Spain. A small, but noticeable part of the Portuguese population also speak French or German.

Five underrated travel destinations in Porugal that you can reach by car:

Elvas. Located near the border with Spain, the frontier town of Elvas seems out of the way for most visitors to Portugal, but the remoteness only contributes to the town's uncompromising atmosphere. The historic fortifications of Elvas, a UNESCO World Heritage site, includes the impressive Amoreira Aqueduct, Castle of Elvas, and the old city center. A number of villages that have low populations but are impressive architecturally can also be found in the area. The best thing about Elvas is that the town is actually much closer than it seems — it's just a two-hour drive from Lisbon, three hours from Faro, four hours from Porto, and three hours from Seville in Spain. Badajoz, the largest city of the Spanish region of Extremadura, is just on the other side of the border and definitely worth a visit if your rental car provider permits it.

Faro. Although Faro is the largest city in Algarve and home to the region's only international airport, most visitors are in a rush to leave it for Lagos, Albufeira, or Sagres as soon as they land. More industrial, less picturesque, and with far fewer idyllic beaches, Faro just doesn't have the same appeal as those more scenic smaller places. But if you give this city a bit of your time — just a few hours, even — you might be pleasantly surprised! Faro's attractions include the chillingly impressive Bone Chapel; the small, but well-preserved historic center; Faro Jewish Heritage Center; and the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park where you can go on a hike or kayak ride. The rest of Algarve will still be there and just a short ride away.
Peneda-Gerês National Park. Peneda-Gerês is the only legally-declared national park in Portugal - the other protected areas are 'nature parks' or 'reserves'. What makes this area in the far north of the country really special, however, is not its status, but the things you'll find located inside it. From megalithic tombs dating back to more than 5,000 years and roads used since Roman times to green forests and fascinating rock formations, the national park is home to a peaceful, timeless atmosphere. Walk quietly, and you might even get to spot a roe deer, an otter, or a Garrano, small wild relatives of a horse. Peneda-Gerês National Park is just an hour's drive north of Porto; about the same distance from Vigo in Galicia, Spain; about two hours from Santiago de Compostela, also in Spain; and about four hours from Lisbon.
Coimbra. Sometimes called 'the city that studies', Coimbra is, for many, the best urban destination of Portugal outside of the Big Two. The main pride of this centrally located city is its university which is considered to be among the ten oldest in the world and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. But even beyond famous landmarks, there's history and atmosphere every step of the way. It takes only 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive to Coimbra from Porto and two hours from Lisbon.

Evora. As mentioned above, the winemaking region of Alentejo is mainly known for its scenic countryside — but there is nonetheless at least one city in the region that will be a highlight of any trip to Portugal. Called the 'Capital of Museums', this cozy city of just 56,000 inhabitants is home to a large number of cultural institutions, as well as surprisingly diverse architecture and lots of history (as proven by its membership of the Most Ancient European Towns Network). Despite its interior location in the historical region of Alto Alentejo, the drive from Lisbon takes only 90 minutes.

What are the best places to rent a car in Portugal?

As mentioned above, the most-visited places in Portugal are its two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto, as well as the southern region of Algarve. The capital city, Lisbon, couples grand history with a relaxed, lovely atmosphere. Famous for its bridges, architecture, cuisine, and the nearby town and palace of Sintra, it is one of the most interesting cities in Europe.
Equally scenic, but with a markedly different atmosphere, Porto is another gem of a place. Perhaps not as immediately accessible, the city reveals itself if you walk through its neighborhoods, meet locals, and make your own adventure as you go - although, of course, there are also plenty of landmarks, not least the UNESCO-protected old town.

Famous for its picturesque beaches, the region of Algarve attracts hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors every year - many even like the region so much that they have decided to stay permanently. Little towns like Lagos, Albufeira, and Portimao are where the region's local character still survives while the inland region around Monchique is an underrated yet very accessible destination.

Located immediately to the north of Algarve, the region of Alentejo is the wine country of Portugal. Known for its welcoming, slow-paced cities and bucolic countryside charm, this is the perfect place for a long road trip with no particular destination.
As mentioned above, Portugal is also one of the surfing meccas of Europe. The wild, skyscraper-like waves of Nazare might be too much of a challenge for anyone but seasoned pros, but luckily there are plenty of more beginner-friendly areas (and, importantly, surfing in Portugal is much cheaper than in other hotspots like French Basque country).
Source: Olympic
The interior of Portugal — the eastern regions of Alentejo, Central, and Northern regions — remains something of a mystery to foreign visitors. Those who dare to explore will find ancient sites, the highest peaks of mainland Portugal, and supreme hospitality.

What about filling up in Portugal?

There are many gas stations all over Portugal, though like anywhere else in the world, they are mainly located in and near populated areas. The population density of Portugal is very uneven with the northern and central inland portions of the country much more sparsely populated. While even in the most rural parts of Portugal you're never that far away from a gas station, getting a vehicle with an up-to-date GPS system is probably a good idea if you plan to travel to the inland parts of the country (although an app can work, too).

Prices at Portugal's gas stations are shown per liter (1 liter = 0.26 US gallons).

How expensive is gas in Portugal?

As of January 2021, the average price in Portugal is €1.48 per liter (or €5.61 per gallon). Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Portugal has some of the highest gas prices in Western Europe, noticeably higher than in neighboring Spain as well as Italy and France.

For how long should you rent a car in Portugal?

One of the most asked questions about Portugal, sadly, does not have a one-size-fits-all type of answer. Long-time lovers of Portugal will tell you that even after months of traveling you can still find things about it that will amaze you. Others who have visited Lisbon or Porto on a short weekend city break will counter that this is also a perfectly enjoyable way to see the country. The truth is that both are right — how long your trip should be depends chiefly on you and the time you have available.
Source: Wingspreader
If possible, it would be great to have at least three or four days to see Lisbon. This way, you can avoid being in a rush, visit some of the most famous landmarks, go out to a restaurant or a bar at night, and also take a trip to nearby Sintra. Similarly, it's a good idea to set aside at least two or three days for Porto. If you've got a week (or better yet, ten days) available, you can see both cities, also stopping in Nazare on the way between the two.

Three or four days would also be the minimum for an enjoyable trip to the Algarve. If you wish to drive around the region and also visit lesser-known places like Monchique, travel a portion of the Portugal Coastal Route, or visit neighboring Alentejo, having a week would be preferable.

How much does a rental car cost in Portugal?

Different destinations in Portugal have different price dynamics, depending on the amount of t, tourists, time of the year, and other factors. With that in mind, here are some average numbers to give you an idea of the cost of a rental car in the country.

In Lisbon, the average price of a rental car for one day is €31 in May, €46 in August, and €41 in October. Keep in mind that this is the average price — you can find much cheaper deals based on the type of car and other factors.

In Porto, the average price of a rental car per day is only €22 in June but €49 in August. In October, a car costs, on average, €31 per day.

In Faro, the largest city in the Algarve, the average daily price is €21 in June, €45 in August, and €28 in October.

Which car rental company in Portugal offers the lowest rates? What are some tricks for getting a better deal?

There are many cheap rental car companies in Portugal. On the whole, the country's car rental prices are lower than those in Spain, France, and Italy. If you're visiting during the low season and can drive a car with a manual transmission, finding a car for as cheap as € 5 a day is perfectly possible.

Obviously, your destination also influences the price — cars tend to be more pricey around popular tourist destinations. Lisbon, on the whole, is more expensive than Porto. One-way rentals will be more expensive as they will include a special fee, but on the other hand, they give you the freedom of not returning to where you picked up the car if you don't want to.

Keep in mind: Booking a car in advance is a tried and true method for getting a much lower price, especially if you plan to travel to Portugal during the high tourist season. A car booked a month before the trip can cost half as much as the same car booked a couple of days before you depart for Portugal.

Booking a car for a longer period of time is also a good idea — due to different commissions and other fees, booking a car in Portugal for a longer period can cost the same or even less as for a short period. For example, if booked a week before the trip in February, the cheapest rental car in Lisbon is a Fiat Panda from Goldcar at the price of €18.14 for three days, but the same car costs only €10.44 for five days

Which car rental supplier is best for you? Are the rental conditions important?

Price is obviously a huge factor when choosing a car rental company, but it shouldn't be your only consideration — often, for a couple of euros more, you can find a much better overall deal. Instead, try to look for a company that offers both a good price and has a good rating from previous renters.

Also, make sure you are familiar with the rental conditions! Different rental car suppliers will have different conditions. The rental conditions can influence the final price of the car and are important to be aware of in general.

You can find the rental conditions when searching for a rental car on our website.

What else should you keep in mind when renting a car?

Some of the most important things when picking up a rental car is knowing your rental car supplier's fuel and mileage policies along with its driver requirements.

Mileage policy :
A rental supplier's mileage policy is the maximum permitted distance that you are allowed to travel per day (or sometimes per week) with your rental car. Once you exceed the permitted distance, you will be required to pay an extra fee for every additional kilometer you drive. There might also be the maximum permitted mileage for the whole of the rental period.

Different rental car suppliers have different mileage rules. It's important to know about them before booking your car, especially if you plan to drive a lot or travel long distances during your trip.

You can find the supplier's mileage policy in their rental conditions:
Fuel policy:
Different car rental companies have different policies when it comes to fuel. Some of the most popular ones are:
  • Full-to-full
    You are given a car with a full tank of fuel and are expected to also return it with a full tank which means that you need to fill up the tank right before dropping off the car.
  • Same-to-same
    You are given a car with a certain amount of fuel and are expected to return the car with the same amount.
  • Full-to-empty
    You pay in advance for a full tank of fuel when picking up a car and are allowed to return the car with an empty tank; in these cases, you may or may not be compensated if you return a car with some fuel left in the tank.
Driver requirements:
Different rental car companies will have different requirements for drivers. These may include:
  • The minimum and maximum age of the driver
  • A potential young or senior driver extra fee for drivers under or over the certain age (e.g. 25 or 65 years old)
  • Driving experience (e.g., at least two years)
  • A credit card in the name of the main driver
  • An international driver's license (might not apply to driver's licenses that are in Latin alphabet)
The same as with mileage and fuel policies, the driver requirements of each car rental supplier be found on their rental conditions page.

Check our comprehensive Help Center to learn more about mileage, fuel, and driver requirements, as well as other important questions.

How can I choose the right insurance for my rental car?

Choosing the right insurance is very important as it will protect you in case anything goes wrong during your rental period. If you have your own personal insurance, it may or may not cover your rental car — you should ask your insurance carrier to find out.

We strongly recommend you choose our own Full Coverage. Not only does it come at a reasonable price and covers most potential scenarios, but it will also give you clarity and peace of mind as you will have 24/7 support from our team for any issue that you might have.

Check the Insurance section of our Help Center to learn more about choosing the right insurance and everything related to it.

What type of rental car is the cheapest in Portugal?

Small cars are the cheapest type of cars, costing, on average, just €13 per day (and, potentially, significantly less if you travel during the low season). The average price is €25 for medium cars, €47 for large cars, €52 for SUVs and for vans, and €66 for luxury cars.

Which is the best car rental company in Portugal?

Customer Rating - 9.5
Customer Rating - 9.3
Customer Rating - 9.2
Customer Rating - 9.2
Customer Rating - 8.9
Customer Rating - 8.8
Customer Rating - 8.0

Should I go with a local or an international company?

There are a number of local, well-rated companies in the Portuguese market like SADORENT and Guerin, but there is no particular reason to specifically choose a local company. Many of the international providers have been in Portugal for decades and their local branches have just as much knowledge of the country and its market. The main factor for choosing the rental car should be the price and rating of the company.

What is the process of picking up and dropping off a rental car like?

To pick up a rental car, you'll need to have your booking confirmation voucher, passport, driver's license, a credit card on the main driver's name, and all the other necessary documents.

When making the reservation, you will see your rental car's pickup location, of which there are many types. Since most travelers tend to pick up their rental cars at the airport, we'll mainly focus on the pickup locations in or near the airport. These are the most popular pickup location types:

  • Meet & Greet. With this type of pickup location, you'll be met by an employee of the car rental company in the arrivals hall of the airport which you normally enter right after leaving the baggage claim area. The employee will usually have a printed sign with your name on it. The employee will take you to the company's office to proceed with signing the rental contract and collecting the car's keys.
  • In the terminal. In this case, you will have to find your rental car company's desk yourself. The desk will be usually located in the arrivals hall. Once you've found the desk, you can present your documents and continue with the pickup procedure. Do keep in mind that you might have to wait in line.
  • Shuttle bus. In certain cases, the car rental company's desk might be located outside the airport's terminal. Sometimes you can reach it on foot, but in most cases, you need to take a shuttle bus. For this, you'll need to find the shuttle bus stop inside the airport, the location of which will be given to you when making the booking. Sometimes, the shuttle bus is shared by multiple car rental companies while others have their own shuttle service just for them. Look for the name and the logo of your rental company to make sure you take the right shuttle bus.
  • Delivery service. This type of pick-up is similar to Meet & Greet but takes even less time to complete as you won't need to go to the car provider's office to sign the agreement.
  • Car rental center. This means that your car rental company shares its location with other companies. The car rental center is located in the arrivals hall, in another part of the terminal, or in a separate building next to the terminal.
  • Outside terminal. This pick-up location means that your car rental company has an individual desk located outside the airport's terminal, but within the larger airport complex, that can usually be reached on foot

At the pickup location: After the car rental company checks your documents and make sure you have enough deposit on your credit card, you will receive the car's keys and be taken to the rental car which will usually be parked in a nearby parking lot.

Inspect the car: Upon picking up the car, you will have to sign a document called the check-out form. If your rental car has any scratches or other types of damage, they should be listed on the form. Inspect the car carefully — if it has any scratches or other issues that are not listed, make sure to point them out to the employee before signing the check-out form. The form will also list the mileage and the amount of fuel the car has at the pickup time.

Take photos: It is generally a very good idea to take photos of the car before picking it up, preferably from multiple angles and including the inside of the car with the odometer showing the previous mileage on the car and of the amount of fuel in the tank (read more about fuel on our Fuel Policy section above). The photos should have a timestamp to show the date and time when they were taken; most pictures taken with mobile and digital cameras have them.

Find out the drop-off location: Before leaving with the car, make sure you find out the exact drop-off location and the directions to get there. While it will often be the same as the pickup location, it might also be in a completely different part of the airport (this is especially the case with the larger airports that have multiple terminals).

Returning the car: When dropping off the car at the end of your trip, carefully check the vehicle in the presence of an employee of the rental company. If any new scratches or damages are found, the company employee should point them out in your presence. If there are none, the car's check-in form should state that the car has been returned in the same condition. The same applies to the cleanliness of the car (if you return a car that is not clean, the company might later charge an extra cleaning fee). Make sure to check the car's trunk and the glove compartment to avoid leaving any personal belongings in the vehicle.

Can I add extras for the rental car when booking?

You might also want to add some extras for your rental car such as a GPS system, a child's seat, second-driver permission (if you're traveling with a friend or a family member who can and wants to drive). If you plan to drive in the Alps or Pyrenees, snow chains might be useful or even necessary during winter. Be sure to search for them in advance and add them before making the booking. Not every rental car supplier will have all of these extras available. Adding extras will influence the final price of a car and different car rental companies offer them for different prices.

What are the traffic rules in Portugal?

  • Portugal drives on the right-hand side of the road.
  • Proof of insurance and the car's documentation need to be in it whenever you're driving.
  • If you're the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
  • The use of a mobile phone while driving is forbidden by law — only a fully hands-free system is permitted (so you cannot use headphones, either).
  • The nationwide emergency number, like elsewhere in the European Union, is 112. The forest fire rescue number is 117.
  • If you receive a fine for a traffic violation, the car rental supplier will often charge an additional fee for administering it.
  • One of the most confusing things for foreign drivers in Portugal is the local laws for driving in the roundabouts (known as rotundas). Although the laws were changed recently to give the cars on the outer lane priority when exiting the roundabout, previously the cars on the inside lane had priority, meaning that they were permitted to cut ahead of the cars already on the outside lane. This continues to cause confusion. Insider's tip: Be extra cautious when exiting the roundabout when on the outside lane — make sure to always look to your left first.

What are the speed limits in Portugal?

Are there speed cameras in Portugal?

Yes, there are two types of speed cameras in use in Portugal. The ones known as radares show your speed on an illuminated board. These are more common in urban areas. The ones called sincro have a blue road sign that does not show your speed, but only indicates the presence of the speed camera. The fine for speeding depends on how much over the legal limit you were going. Keep in mind that the fine will normally be sent to your car rental company who might include an additional administrative fee.

What are the drunk driving laws in Portugal?

The drunk driving limits are 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers. Fines for drunk driving are steep and, if coupled with speeding, can lead to a loss of license and even prison time.

Are there toll roads in Portugal?

Yes, many roads in Portugal are subject to tolls. Some rental cars are equipped with a transponder or have another type of automatic payment system installed. Ask your rental car about this before picking up your car. If your rental car has a transponder or is part of another automatic payment system, your vehicle will automatically be registered when passing through the gates.

If your rental doesn't have an automatic payment system, you can pay either with cash or credit card at one of the toll gates. In this case, you will be given a receipt that you need to keep until exiting the toll road where you'll pay for the distance driven.

The toll depends on the road and the payment system you use, as well as the distance traveled.

Some toll roads can only be used with an automatic payment system. Learn more about toll roads in Portugal on the European toll road website.

Aleksandrs Buraks

Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.

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