Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with official sources before relying on this.

Know Abroad

PortugalPortugal

Driving Abroad

Last verified August 7, 2026

Written for U.S. passport holders

License Requirements

  • Short-term visitors from the U.S. can generally drive on their state-issued license alone for up to 185 days. An International Driving Permit is not strictly required by Portuguese law for a short stay.
  • In practice, most car rental agencies in Portugal require an IDP anyway as their own condition of rental, regardless of the legal minimum.

Road Basics for Americans

  • Like the U.S., Portugal drives on the right side of the road, so the basic flow of traffic will feel familiar.
  • Speed limits and distances are posted in kilometers (km/h), not miles. A 100 km/h limit is about 62 mph; a 50 km/h limit, common in towns, is about 31 mph.

The Gotcha

Whether you 'need' an IDP in Portugal depends on who's asking. The law is more lenient than most of Europe for a short stay, but the rental counter isn't the law, and most agencies simply won't rent to you without one. Get the IDP before you go if you're renting a car, even though it isn't strictly a legal requirement for driving itself.

Sources

This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.