Guerin® Blog
Rental Guide
International Driving Permit: do you need one to drive in Portugal?
Share
Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to hire and drive a car in Portugal? It depends on the country that issued your national driving licence.
If your licence was issued in the European Union or the European Economic Area, you do not need an IDP. If it was issued elsewhere, Portugal may still recognise it, but an IDP or other supporting documentation may be required.
One rule applies in every case: an IDP never replaces your national licence. You must carry both original, valid documents.
Who does not need an International Driving Permit in Portugal?
Valid licences issued in the EU or EEA are recognised in Portugal. The EEA includes all EU Member States, as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Portugal also accepts licences from several countries outside this area, provided they meet the applicable legal requirements. These include countries covered by international road traffic conventions, bilateral agreements or the Portuguese rules for OECD and CPLP licences, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Switzerland and Brazil.
Tourists with a licence issued by a country covered by an applicable agreement or convention can generally drive in Portugal for up to 185 days after entering the country, as long as they do not establish residence.
Who may need an International Driving Permit?
You may need an IDP if your licence was issued outside the EU or EEA and is not directly recognised in Portugal, uses a non-Latin alphabet or requires an official translation.
Before travelling, check the rules if your licence was issued in a country outside the EU, EEA, OECD or CPLP frameworks. A licence from a country that is not covered by an international convention or agreement may not be valid in Portugal, even when accompanied by an IDP.
The safest approach is to confirm the requirements with Portugal’s Institute for Mobility and Transport - IMT - and the car hire company before departure.
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit is an official document that translates and standardises the information shown on your national driving licence. It does not give you new driving rights or allow you to drive vehicle categories that are not included on your original licence.
The IDP must be issued by an authorised body in the country that issued your national licence. Its validity varies by country and convention, but it must always be presented together with the original licence.
Avoid unofficial "international driving licences” sold online. A digital document or permit issued by an unauthorised company may not be legally recognised.
How do you get an International Driving Permit?
The process, price and waiting time depend on the country that issued your licence. Here are some common examples:
United States: apply through AAA or AATA with a valid US licence and passport-style photographs. The AAA permit costs USD 20. In-person applications can usually be completed on the same day; online applications normally take five business days, plus delivery time. The IDP is valid for one year or until the US licence expires, whichever comes first.
- Canada: apply through a CAA location, in person or by post. The permit costs CAD 32. In-person applications are normally processed in less than one hour; postal processing takes around two working days after the documents are received, plus delivery time. The IDP is valid for one year or until the Canadian licence expires.
- United Kingdom: holders of a valid UK photocard licence do not normally need an IDP to drive in Portugal. If an IDP is required for another country on the same trip, it can be obtained in person from participating PayPoint shops for GBP 5.50. Depending on the convention, it may be valid for 12 months or up to three years.
- Australia: apply through the Australian Automobile Association’s authorised state or territory motoring club. The permit costs AUD 55. It can be issued on the same day at some locations, while online applications generally require additional processing and delivery time. It is valid for up to 12 months or until the Australian licence expires.
- Wherever your licence was issued, apply through the officially authorised organisation in that country and do so before travelling. Processing and delivery times may increase during busy periods, so avoid leaving the request until the final days before departure.
What documents do you need to hire a car in Portugal?
To collect a Guerin vehicle, bring:
- your original, valid national driving licence
- your IDP, when applicable
- a valid passport or identity document
- your booking number or confirmation
- an accepted payment method
- a valid physical credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit or excess.
At Guerin, the standard minimum driving age is 21, and the driver must have held a valid licence for more than one year. Some vehicle groups require a minimum age of 25. Younger drivers may be accepted for eligible categories with the Young Driver option.
Which protection should you choose?
Once the documentation is confirmed, you can add protection suited to your journey. Guerin’s Pack Platinum brings together its most comprehensive set of rental protections, including Glass & Wheels Protection and Premium Roadside Assistance, subject to the applicable conditions and exclusions.
You may also add an Additional Driver or a child seat when these are useful for your trip.
Check your documents before booking
Check the issuing country, validity and format of your licence, as well as every country included in your itinerary. Travel apps can help you store booking details, create checklists and plan the route, but they do not replace the original documents.
Then explore the Guerin fleet, choose the right car and add the services you need. With everything prepared, you can collect your vehicle more quickly and discover Portugal at your own pace.
Share