Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email.
In addition to all the changes the Government intends to apply to new driver's licence applicants, measures will also be implemented targeting the foreign population.
By , in News · 27 Jan 2026, 10:06 · 7 Comments
In all vehicle categories, the Government will allow theoretical and practical exams to be conducted in a foreign language.
Changes will also be made to the validity of driving licences, according to the Jornal Económico, aligned with “the recognition of foreign driving licenses with the residence permit period”.
The proposal is still under discussion; after approval, it must go through a regulatory process before coming into effect.
Share this article: Share
Currently, the Editor at The Portugal News, Bruno G. Santos, is really interested in national politics. With a degree in Journalism and Communication, he also loves to write about different topics like Portuguese culture, society and other current affairs. Press card: 8463.
We are proud to provide our readers from around the world with independent, honest and unbiased news for free – both online and in print.
Our dedicated team supports the local community, foreign residents and visitors of all nationalities through our newspaper, website, social media and our newsletter.
We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to, we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small.
In News - 02 Mar 2026, 10:03
In News - 02 Mar 2026, 09:03
In News - 02 Mar 2026, 08:03
In News - 01 Mar 2026, 20:03
In News - 01 Mar 2026, 17:03
English
Nederlands
Deutsch
Français
Español
Italiano
Svenska
Pусский
中文
Türkçe
Português
Polski
عربي
Suomi
עִברִית
Português (Brasil)
I hope with the number of Americans arriving in Portugal that they have to undergo a written test at least, especially with regards to NOT overtaking on the right which is what they do in the US not only on normal roads but especially on the highway.
By Sultan from Algarve on 28 Jan 2026, 15:29
Not a good move. Just another incentive for foreigners NOT to learn the language of the country they chose to inhabit. But this is Europe, where all common sense has been thrown out the window.
By Tony from USA on 28 Jan 2026, 23:43
You make a good point, Sultan. As someone who has driven in the US for more than four decades, I feel fairly adequate to address this issue.
Yes, drivers there DO have a habit of passing on the right instead of the left, which is NOT a good idea but oftentimes necessary. The reason is pretty straightforward: American drivers are terrible at the basic premise (on multi-lane highways) of "keeping to the right except to pass"! It's quite routine to encounter a vehicle there in the fast or middle lane driving the slowest of any other car on the road. I don't know why that is, but I've seen it my whole life.
Luckily, here in Portugal I've been delighted to find drivers adhering to this principle 99.9% of the time! Never in four years of driving here have I ever been tempted (nor needed) to pass except on the left. Kudos to the Portuguese driving schools for producing a populous that is so diligent about this rule!
By Photogski from Lisbon on 29 Jan 2026, 17:56
@Sultan, it is illegal, at least in California, to pass a car on the right. I do hope most states in the US have the same law. In my opinion, many drivers in Portugal drive way too fast, especially on the highways, and even in the smaller towns. Another observation I have had is that many drivers going way faster than the speed limit continue to drive in the left lane without moving to the right lane.
By Jeannette Kortz from Lisbon on 01 Feb 2026, 13:38
I certainly hope that this means Brits have to take both the written and practical tests so they can learn how to safely travel through a roundabout. Certainly Portuguese having taken this test in.their own language has stopped all reckless speeding and tailgating, right? Also, providing alternative languages for something as important as a drivers license test is incredibly important for people choosing to live outside of the high priced cities. People moving here need to be able to drive for food or school or doctor's appointments AND to lessons to learn the language as not everyone arrives fluent or chooses online classes. How short-sighted is the idea that people should be sufficiently fluent enough to pass a test before they can drive?
By Frank from Açores on 02 Feb 2026, 16:28
I love when people say "the arrival of Americans".
Do you know how many are here?
Roughly 20,000.
None of the statistics mention how many return to the states.
Many states in the US allow the written part in other languages.
It is state specific.
We believe you should attempt to learn the language where you live.
I believe on any written exam, it will ask what lane is used for passing?
In real life people will pass on the right.
I am sure on a Portuguese written exam it asks if tailgating is legal.
Yet it seems to be a way of life here.
By j from Algarve on 11 Feb 2026, 12:00
We own a condo in Nazare and spend a couple of months every year in Portugal. What a fantastic place. Marvelous people, culture, weather, food, etc. But learning the language proves to be very difficult, at least for English speakers. Almost everybody we meet speaks some level of English that's better than any of my attempts at Portuguese, (beyond the most basic phrases or statements). After greeting people in Portuguese, they immediately switch to English- perhaps looking for an opportunity to practice their own skills or by a motivation to be as accommodating as possible. And the accommodation is appreciated. But a lack of opportunity to practice and the general rush by people to move a conversation (with me) to English makes it very tough to learn the language or improve. I can *read* just about anything well enough to understand the general subject, but speaking has been hard.
By Chuck Gould from USA on 25 Feb 2026, 19:40