However, the latest accident figures have led the Government to propose reducing this speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour.
Between January and 16 April, 44,904 road accidents were recorded in Portugal, 12.89% more than in the same period last year, according to data from the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR). These accidents resulted in 147 fatalities and 652 serious injuries, an increase of 42.72% and 1.24%, respectively, compared to last year’s figures.
Government measures
To address this issue, the Government intends to strengthen road safety in Portugal. As announced by The Portugal News, plans include the return of the GNR Traffic Brigade and the end of advance warnings for STOP operations on social media. A review of the Highway Code is also planned.
In Portugal, the accident rate is primarily due to speeding, drink-driving and the use of mobile phones whilst driving.
Reduction of speed limits
Currently, the Highway Code stipulates that, in built-up areas, the speed limit for all vehicles is 50 kilometres per hour. However, the government intends to reduce this to 30 kilometres per hour, as is already the case in other European cities.
In 2024, the study “Review of City-Wide 30 km/h Speed Limit Benefits in Europe”, by George Yannis and Eva Michelaraki, analysed the impact of the measure in 40 European cities, including Brussels, Paris and Zurich. The study concluded that road accidents fell by 23%, while deaths fell by 37% and injuries resulting from accidents fell by 38%.
The same study also revealed that pollutant emissions fell by 18% and that noise pollution also fell by up to 2.5 decibels.
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If they speed limit is reduced to 30 kph or 18 mph then I hope the GNR will be stopping people on electric bikes and electric scooters and men of a certain age dressed in lycra riding racing cycles
By Peter from Other on 22 Apr 2026, 16:07
This wont reduce emissions, the slower the car the higher the emmisions
By Tee Lee from Alentejo on 23 Apr 2026, 07:27
What does reducing the speed limits bring when there is hardly any enforcement ? Often on the N125 when I ride and indicated 65kmh on my scooter, people are flashing their lights behind me that I should speed up. All while passing a 50kmh speed limit sign.
By Uwe from Algarve on 23 Apr 2026, 09:26
No need whatever to reduce speed limits. What needs to happen is the Police to get off their backsides and actually police the speed limits. Stop all these hot headed youngsters who think that they are immortal from overtaking in speed limited areas. I thought Portugal was going down the "look after the environment" route. This measure will just cause more and more tons of fossil fuels to be burned and probably cause more accidents due to peoples frustration.
By Martin Wootton from Lisbon on 23 Apr 2026, 09:56
The great problem isn't the 50 km/h limit. It's exceeding this limit and or the phone whist driving. Cutting speed limits is not the answer. More enforcement of current limits and of driving standards is.
By Tony from Lisbon on 23 Apr 2026, 10:52
The Government propose reducing this speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour. What a joke !
Does anyone really beleive that the (mostly) portuguese drivers suddenly are going to respect the lower speed limits ?
Unfortunately, the accident rate is not going to drop simply because of the mentality of many drivers in Portugal.
By Robert from Lisbon on 23 Apr 2026, 11:45
If the police wanted too they could catch the many of the people that I see every day swerving while texting in cars and trucks. Or ban and heavily fine those driving without a licence for years. Bald tyres is also a problem. Reducing the speed limits is a zero effort law change that will stop nothing
By Nosey Naighbour from Beiras on 23 Apr 2026, 14:27
Where are the majority of increases in accidents and deaths happening? In 50km / hour areas or on the highways? And is the increase seen in cars or motorcycles? Our highways are 130kms / hour, and yet I constantly have people fly by me at 180 or more. Motorcycles are especially notorious at flaunting laws, as lanesplitting is an accepted practice, even at highway speeds. Analyzing how accidents happen help to know how to prevent them, instead of penalizing a whole city by reducing limits to 30. After all, if you reduce speed limits to 0, you prevent all accidents, but thats not possible is it?
By Paul from Algarve on 23 Apr 2026, 18:53
The speed limit can be anything the Portuguese government decides, but without enforcement no attention to it will be paid at all. Just like now.
By Ciara from Lisbon on 23 Apr 2026, 21:31
Yikes, from one extreme to another. In the US 18 - 20 mph is the speed limit through school zones. Otherwise, it depends on housing density. 30 -35 MPH (48-56 KPH) if houses are less than 200 feet apart, 40 MPH with less density, and 55 -65MPH (88 - 104 KPH) on interstate highways. Portugal needs more traffic cops too and stiff fines. Failure to stop at a STOP sign will get you a $100 violation. I don't get it. European societies are so heavily regimented and autocratic where they shouldn't be but it's all laissez-faire when it comes to driving.
By Tony from USA on 23 Apr 2026, 21:55
A sensible proposal to try and control what everyone recognises as dangerous driving practices in Portugal. Not sure why Peter uses it to have a rant against cyclists and electronic scooter users when they have nothing to do with the appalling road accident rate.
By Jane from Lisbon on 24 Apr 2026, 09:33
It must be recognised that Portugal appears to have the least use of indicators on vehicles. Many drivers NEVER use them si other drivers are left totally bemused. Until drivers are stopped by road Police and heavy fines are levied, accidents will continue. This and excessive speed are an indictment on vehicle drivers in this country.
By David Regan from Algarve on 06 May 2026, 13:58