Rua do Conde Redondo, No. 22, Braga, Portugal
+351 911 039 258
Info@xeeconsulting.com
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Driving Licence Exchange Portugal
If you have moved to Portugal with a foreign driving
licence, you may be able to exchange it for a
Portuguese licence.
The rules are different depending on the country that
issued your licence, how long you have been resident
in Portugal and the categories you are licensed to drive.
XEE Consulting can help you understand which rules
apply to you, prepare the required documents and
complete your application with
IMT – Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes.
01
Eligibility Check
Review your licence and residence status
02
Document Preparation
Prepare the correct IMT documents
03
IMT Application
Support with the exchange request
04
Application Follow-Up
Assistance with further IMT requests
Exchange Eligibility
In many cases, yes. The exact procedure depends on
the country that issued your driving licence and
the recognition arrangements that apply.
01
EU & EEA Countries
Different registration and exchange rules apply
to licences issued within the EU and EEA.
02
OECD & CPLP Countries
Qualifying licences from certain OECD and CPLP
countries can benefit from specific recognition rules.
03
Bilateral or Reciprocal Agreements
Portugal has arrangements with certain countries
that can allow recognised licences to be exchanged.
04
International Road Traffic Conventions
Some licences are dealt with under applicable
international recognition arrangements.
05
Other Countries
Licences outside the recognised arrangements
can have additional requirements, including testing.
Important:
the procedure is not the same for every applicant.
Some licences may be exchanged without a driving test,
while other cases can require theory and practical examinations.
We check the country of issue before advising you on the process.
Our Driving Licence Exchange Service
01
We check where your licence was issued, its validity
and your Portuguese residence status to establish
the correct procedure.
02
We provide a clear list of the documents required
for your particular application and check them
before submission.
03
We assist with preparing and submitting your
foreign licence exchange request to IMT.
04
Where required, we explain how to obtain the
certificate of authenticity and an authenticated
translation of your licence.
05
If IMT requests additional information or
documentation, we help you understand what is
required and prepare the response.
Application Checklist
The exact document list depends on the country that
issued your driving licence and the categories you hold.
Valid foreign driving licence
Passport or identification document
Portuguese residence document
Proof of Portuguese tax address, where required
Medical certificate
Certificate of authenticity of the foreign licence
Authenticated translation, where required
Psychological assessment for certain heavy vehicle categories
For many non-EU exchanges, a certificate from the issuing
authority or consular service may be required to confirm
the authenticity of the licence and the driving categories
obtained. A translation may also be required where the
licence is not in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish.
EU & EEA Driving Licences
If your licence was issued by an EU or EEA country,
you can generally continue using it in Portugal
until the expiry date shown on the licence.
After becoming resident in Portugal, however,
registration of residence with IMT can be required.
The information provided for this page refers to a
60-day registration period.
01
Valid EU/EEA Licence
A valid licence can generally continue to
be used until its stated expiry date.
02
IMT Registration
Residents may need to register their residence
with IMT after moving to Portugal.
03
Exchange Usually Optional
Exchanging a valid EU/EEA licence is generally
optional rather than immediately mandatory.
04
No-Expiry Licences
Different requirements can apply to licences
that do not have an expiry date.
OECD & CPLP Driving Licences
Portugal has special rules covering qualifying driving
licences from certain OECD and CPLP countries.
Where the relevant conditions are met, holders of
qualifying licences may be able to continue driving
in Portugal after becoming resident without first
exchanging the licence.
The conditions described for this service include
holding a valid licence, being under 60 and having
no more than 15 years since the licence was issued
or last renewed.
An eligible driver may still choose to exchange the
licence for a Portuguese one.
Other Foreign Licences
Different rules apply where the licence comes from a
country covered by a bilateral agreement, reciprocal
arrangement or an applicable international road traffic
convention.
For these licences, the timing of the exchange can be
particularly important. The deadlines described for
this service are based on the applicable IMT exchange
framework for eligible licences.
Submit the Exchange Request
After establishing residence, eligible drivers
generally have a period in which they can submit
the exchange request while continuing to use
the recognised foreign licence.
Exchange May Still Be Possible
An exchange request may still be submitted,
but the foreign licence may no longer be valid
for driving in Portugal during this period.
Additional Testing May Apply
A practical driving test may be required
depending on the applicable exchange rules.
Because the rules depend on the issuing country and
individual circumstances, we recommend checking the specific
procedure for your licence instead of relying only on a
general deadline.
How It Works
01
We check the country of issue, licence categories,
validity and your residence situation.
02
We tell you which documents are needed and whether
certification, translation, medical assessment
or testing applies.
03
We help organise the documents and prepare the
foreign licence exchange request.
04
The application is submitted through the
appropriate IMT procedure.
05
We assist with any further steps or document
requests until the administrative process is completed.
Medical Requirements
A medical assessment forms part of the foreign driving
licence exchange process.
The medical certificate is issued electronically by
the doctor and transmitted through the relevant system
to IMT, so applicants generally do not need to upload
the certificate themselves.
Drivers exchanging certain
C, D or E categories
may also need a psychological assessment.
Recently Moved to Portugal?
Your driving licence is only one of the administrative
matters you may need to arrange after relocating.
XEE Consulting can coordinate several parts of your
relocation so you do not need to manage each administrative
requirement separately.
Common Questions
Can I drive in Portugal with my foreign licence?
It depends on the country that issued your
licence, your residence status, the age and
validity of the licence and other applicable
conditions. Some foreign licences remain
valid after residence, while others are
subject to specific exchange deadlines.
Do I have to exchange an EU driving licence?
Usually not while the licence remains valid,
although residents may need to register their
residence with IMT. Special rules can apply
to licences without an expiry date.
Do I need to take a driving test?
Not always. Many eligible foreign licences
can be exchanged without theory or practical
testing. Other licences can be subject to
additional examination requirements.
Do I need a medical certificate?
Yes. A medical assessment forms part of the
foreign licence exchange procedure. The
certificate is normally transmitted
electronically to IMT by the doctor.
Does my licence need to be translated?
A translation can be required depending on
the language of the licence. For the relevant
non-EU exchange procedures, an authenticated
translation may be required when the licence
is not in Portuguese, French, English or Spanish.
Can XEE Consulting check my licence before I apply?
Yes. Send us the country that issued your
licence, its validity and your current
residence status in Portugal. We can identify
the procedure that applies before you begin
the application.
Exchange Your Driving Licence in Portugal
XEE Consulting can review your country of issue,
licence validity, residence status and supporting
documents before you begin the exchange process.