Rule change for UK tourists heading to Portugal with their driving licence

New driving licence changes for UK tourists and motorists heading out into the European Union will impact how road users drive on European streets. Major driving licence changes launching soon will impact Britons in a popular European country.

A new agreement has been confirmed between the UK and the Portuguese Government on the "mutual recognition for the purpose of driving and exchange of driving licences". The treaty, which was presented to Parliament this month, says there will be mutual recognition for the purposes of driving and exchange of full and valid driving licences by the UK and Portugal.

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after the date of receipt between the two nations. Under the agreement, each country "shall recognise, for the purpose of driving" and "may require that a driver holding a driving licence issued by one should notify the otheupon acquiring residence in that other country.

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"In the event of renewal, loss, theft, changes in the details recorded on the drivinglicence, or endorsement of new categories, the Parties shall exchange the other Party’s driving licences, without the need to take a test, for all categories to which drivers normally and lawfully resident in that Party are entitled.

"When a UK driving licence holder is normally and lawfully resident in the Portuguese Republic or a Portuguese driving licence holder is normally and lawfully resident in the UK, and requests to exchange their driving licence, the exchange shall be carried out in accordance with the domestic legislation applicable in each Party, without prejudice to the provisions of this Agreement."

If a British person has a Blue Badge and lives in Portugal, they must return it to the original issuing authority. They can still apply for a new Portuguese disabled parking card, which is free and can be accessed through the Portuguese Institute for Transport.