Planning a motorhome or campervan journey to Portugal? Need to see among the most breathtaking locations in Europe? Right here’s every part you might want to know to go campervanning or motorhoming in Portugal, together with routes and locations to go to.
Don’t overlook to obtain your FREE Europe motorhome journey guidelines beneath that will help you plan your Portugal highway journey.
*We work arduous to make this the very best motorhome weblog and highway journey web site potential, filled with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so in case you purchase via hyperlinks on this website we might earn a commission- at no further price to you. All opinions stay our personal.
Should you discover this publish helpful, you’ll be able to additionally deal with us to a espresso – we promise to get pleasure from it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even bask in a biscuit (or two!)
Motorhoming in Portugal- why you must go!
Portugal has a bit of little bit of everything- dramatic shoreline with sandy seashores, caves, mountains, unbelievable delicacies and historical past. Oh, and wine. Heaps and many beautiful wine. It’s splendidly conventional and plenty of components of it nonetheless really feel completely untouched by the trendy world.
Top-of-the-line issues about having the ability to discover Portugal on a motorhoming vacation is which you could see the variations between the areas, strive the native delicacies (and wine!) and actually get a really feel for the nation in a brief house of time. It’s additionally one of many most cost-effective international locations in western Europe, so you’ll be able to journey on a small price range with out a lot problem.
On this information, we’re going to share with you every part you might want to know to go motorhoming or campervanning in Portugal, together with attending to Portugal and planning your route, the place to remain (motorhome campsites, aires or wild tenting together with your camper), some highway journey concepts and locations to go to, driving ideas and different sensible recommendation that will help you have a tremendous Portuguese highway journey.
We’re additionally going to share some issues NOT to do- like use your dash-cam! (Do you know dash-cams are unlawful in Portugal?!)
If that is your first campervanning journey to Portugal (or Europe!), don’t overlook to seize your free motorhome journey guidelines which can provide help to plan and organise every part you want.
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
Campervanning in Portugal- The place to go
When planning a motorhome journey to Portugal, the very first thing you might want to do is resolve the place you’re going (and the way lengthy you’ve gotten to your journey!)
How lengthy to go for?
Should you’re driving from the UK to Portugal (we’ll cowl that shortly), you might want to permit at the very least 2 days to get from arriving in France (by both ferry or Eurotunnel) to Portugal. And that’s 2 days of just about stable driving (it’s about 15 and a half hours (1013 miles) from Calais to the north-eastern Portuguese border)
We don’t advocate visiting Portugal in case you solely have per week or your highway journey. It’s too far and all you’ll do is drive there and again. In fact, in case you’re going to lease a motorhome and fly in, that’s completely doable in per week (extra on that shortly).
When you have a few weeks, you’ll be able to definitely discover a great chunk of Portugal, however you may be doing a number of driving until you stick to simply the North of the nation. Portugal isn’t an enormous country- it solely takes about 7 hours (470miles) to drive from North to South, so when you’re there it’s straightforward to see rather a lot in a brief house of time.
Highlights of a Portugal Motorhoming Vacation
A number of the finest locations to go to when campervanning in Portugal embody:
- The Algarve – the seashores there are among the finest in Europe
- Lisbon – one in every of Europe’s most historic cities
- Sintra- it actually does seem like one thing from a fairytale
- Alentejo Nationwide Park- the most important protected coastal Pure Park in Europe
- Porto- one of many oldest ports on the earth
- Cape St Vincent- Europe’s most south-westerly level
- Serra Da Estrela- Portugal’s highest mountain vary
- Duoro Valley- in case you like wine, right here’s the place to go
- Megaliths close to Évora- these are wonderful!
Should you get pleasure from studying books earlier than a visit, listed below are some we advocate:
See extra enjoyable and sensible motorhoming books we advocate studying
When to go motorhome touring in Portugal
Portugal has one of many warmest climates in Europe. As such, it’s a magnet for northern Europeans- particularly in winter.
Campervanning in Portugal in winter
Portugal is nice in winter. It’s one of many warmest locations in Europe in February with common temperatures of over 16°C. The good factor about campervanning in Portugal through the winter is that almost all issues stay open, as so many vacationers nonetheless go to, so it doesn’t all shut down like many different international locations in Europe. (In fact, some campsites do select to shut, however there are nonetheless a lot open all yr.)
Nonetheless, not all over the place in Portugal is heat in winter. Count on snow and snowboarding within the mountains- particularly in Serra Da Estrela (the very best mountain vary).
Touring Portugal in summer time
For us, summer time in Portugal is simply too sizzling. Common temperature within the Algarve in August is 29°C- that’s the AVERAGE. As we don’t have air-con in our motorhome, and since we journey with a canine, we attempt to keep away from sizzling locations like this and go motorhoming in Norway or different locations with mountains and cooler air.
Additionally, it will get crowded in summer time. Loopy loopy crowded. Seashores are packed and queues for vacationer sights are lengthy. Being crammed in, in sizzling climate, doesn’t attraction to us in any respect.
Motorhoming in Portugal in Spring and Autumn
As with most of Europe, Spring and Autumn are excellent occasions to discover Portugal. The climate continues to be heat (common of 19.8°C in April and 22°C in October), however the crowds from summer time have gone and also you would possibly even get stretches of seaside all to your self.
If you wish to go mountain climbing in Portugal, this can be a nice time to go to, particularly in Spring when the flowers are blooming.
TOP TIP: If you’re travelling outdoors of peak season, undoubtedly get an ACSI CampingCard– you’ll save a fortune on campsites throughout Europe, together with Portugal
Driving from the UK to Portugal
Do you know that Portugal and England have the oldest alliance on the earth, courting all the best way again to 1373?! (Simply one in every of many enjoyable information about Portugal.) Should you’re planning a campervanning journey to Portugal, there are a few choices from the UK, assuming you’re bringing your personal car (in case you’re flying in and hiring, we’ll take care of that shortly.)
There are two methods folks get their motorhomes to Portugal- drive via France and Spain or take the ferry to Spain after which drive into Portugal. There are professionals and cons to every.
Typically, taking a ferry from the UK is far more costly than driving via France (relying on the time of yr and kind of cabin).
Ferry from the UK to Portugal
There aren’t any direct ferries from the UK to Portugal. You possibly can journey with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth or Plymouth and go to both Santander or Bilbao (each on the north coast of Spain)- these are the closest ports to Portugal. (Bilbao is a couple of 5-hour drive from the Portuguese border- 480km)
A one-way journey on both ferry from the UK takes about 24 hours and reserving a cabin is really useful. In addition they have canine kennels onboard however you CANNOT maintain your canine within the ferry cabin with you (like you’ll be able to from Portsmouth to Caen).
The largest consideration to this ferry (other than the associated fee), is the climate. You’ll be crossing the infamous Bay of Biscay- and it could actually get ROUGH. Even in the course of summer time. As somebody who will get seasick (hilarious contemplating I’m ex-Navy and lived on boats for 15 years), I keep away from this crossing and like to drive from the UK via France to Spain after which Portugal, however it’s solely as much as you.
Driving routes via France to Portugal
Should you resolve that you just wish to drive your motorhome or camper via France right down to Portugal, you first must resolve in case you’re going to take the ferry or Eurotunnel from UK to France (there are professionals and cons to each).
The quickest route from Calais is through Le Mans and Bordeaux, crossing into Spain at San Sebastian. Then head in the direction of Valladolid and also you’re practically in Portugal. It takes about 18 hours from Calais and you may be a part of this route simply in case you resolve to come back over on a ferry to Caen, Le Havre, Dieppe or Cherbourg.
That is our favorite route for a France highway journey as you cross some unimaginable locations (together with among the most historic locations in France!)
Can I drive to Portugal within the Winter?
Yep. I do know there are a number of enormous mountain ranges (particularly the Pyrenees), however typically the routes are all open, until you occur to be actually unfortunate and hit it in the course of a snowstorm (do verify the climate forecast earlier than travelling.)
If this occurs, then we advocate stopping for the night time someplace protected (the fantastic thing about travelling in a motorhome) after which persevering with on when the snow has stopped and the roads have been cleared. Don’t overlook you have to snow chains and ensure you have fitted all-weather tyres- extra on that shortly.
Borders / Customs in Portugal
There is no such thing as a border management in case you’re driving between Spain and Portugal. Nonetheless, there are restrictions on how a lot tobacco and alcohol you’ll be able to carry and it should all be for private use.
Additionally, now that the UK is a 3rd nation, you’re solely allowed to hold:
- Wine/ Spirits: 2 litres
- Perfumes: 50 grams of fragrance/ 250 ml EDT
- Espresso: 500 grams/ Espresso extracts and occasional essences – 200 grams
- Tea:100 grams/ Tea extracts and tea essences – 40 grams
Yow will discover a full listing of all present allowances right here
Hiring a motorhome or campervan to tour Portugal
Should you don’t have your personal car, or don’t have time to drive all the best way to Portugal, you’ll be able to simply fly in and rent one. Simply ensure that to ask how you can get from the airport to the rental agency- not all of them are on the airport itself and also you would possibly must e-book a taxi.
To lease a car in Portugal you need to:
- be over 21 or 25 years previous, relying on the corporate’s rental coverage;
- present identification (identification card for EU residents or a legitimate passport for different nationalities)
- have had a driving licence for multiple yr
Be sure to have proof which you could take the car throughout a border into one other nation if that’s what you’re planning on doing. Learn the article beneath for different issues to verify as effectively earlier than you agree to rent.
Don’t overlook, it’s YOUR accountability to verify the car has the required security gear. The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the motive force, not the corporate. Verify prematurely with the corporate what package they may present with the car and what you have to to deliver.
Take a listing of what’s legally required with you and verify it off one after the other as you’re given the handover. Don’t drive till you’re joyful you adjust to the native legal guidelines.
You possibly can count on to pay round £70/ day- make sure to ask the correct questions so you already know what to anticipate out of your motorhome or campervan rental
Motorhoming in Portugal- what gear do you might want to carry?
Similar to motorhoming in Spain, there are specific belongings you MUST carry with you in your motorhome or campervan while touring in Portugal.
Additionally, make sure to learn the secton beneath about dash-cams!
Don’t overlook, if you’re driving via France and/ or Spain to get to Portugal, you want all of the package required by these international locations, in addition to the package wanted in Portugal. (Fortunately, in case you’re used to motorhoming in France, you’ll have just about every part you want already)
Issues you might want to drive in Portugal- security gear
These are the belongings you MUST have with you while you’re motorhome or campervan touring in Portugal.
- Hello-vis reflective jackets – not as strict as in France, however you need to put on them on the facet of the highway or arduous shoulder or threat being fined.
- Warning triangle
- Headlight beam converters– in case you have a UK car. These should be fitted earlier than you drive in Europe. (When you have a car which lets you modify the beam routinely for European driving, you received’t want these.)
- Automotive sticker connected to the again of auto or on reg plates. (NOT the EU sticker anymore!)
- A spare wheel (and instruments to vary it!), or a tyre restore package.
- Should you put on glasses you MUST carry a spare pair
TOP TIP: Purchase these necessities for driving in Portugal prematurely. Should you wait till you’re on the ferry/ tunnel, you might spend THREE occasions as a lot! See the newest offers and finest costs right here
Utilizing a Sprint-cam in Portugal
This warrants its personal part, as a result of so many individuals don’t realise the legislation. Utilizing a dash-cam in Portugal is prohibited. Not simply that, however OWNING a dash-cam is prohibited in Portugal.
Now, I don’t suppose for one second that the police are going to cease and search you searching for a dash-cam, however I counsel you place it away safely earlier than you get to the border- simply in case.
Street journey equipment you MIGHT want when campervanning in Portugal
The next package are belongings you would possibly want to hold in your automobile, motorhome, caravan or campervan, relying on if you find yourself planning your highway journey in Portugal.
You’ll most likely need an automated toll tag- as lots of the motorways insist on them earlier than you should use the highway. You possibly can keep away from these, however it’s a number of further driving. Extra on that within the ‘toll’ part.
- Winter tyres usually are not obligatory however snow chains are obligatory the place signage signifies.
- Purple/ white warning board signal – for bike racks or something overhanging the top of the motorhome or campervan. Strains should level into the center of the highway. Once more, this can be a authorized requirement in Spain, however price having in Portugal
- First assist package – not obligatory in Portugal (in contrast to many international locations in Europe) however price carrying. Discover out what we supply in our European first assist package right here
- Spare bulbs for all lights within the car
- Torch
- Fireplace extinguisher
- Street Journey snacks and water- simply in case!
Motorhomes or campers with a complete practice size of over 12m
Should you’re travelling in/ via Spain and your outfit exceeds 12m, you might want to have marker boards fitted to the again of your car. You possibly can both have two small boards or one massive board however they should be positioned in the back of the outfit between 50cm and 150cm off the bottom.
Your marker board should:
- be yellow within the centre with a pink define
- be made out of aluminium
- be manufactured to ECE70 customary
This isn’t legislation in Portugal, however I fail to spot the way you’re going to get your 12m car practice to Portugal with out driving via Spain…
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
What paperwork do you might want to highway journey in Portugal?
Should you’re driving in Portugal, you might want to carry the next paperwork:
- Passport (or identification card)
- Driving licence (verify it’s in date!)
- Motorhome Insurance coverage documents- verify you’re lined for driving in Europe
- Breakdown cowl
- Automobile V5 logbook (which should present your appropriate deal with)
- Automobile should be legally taxed and MOT’d
- Trailer certification
- Inexperienced card (get out of your car insurer)
- Worldwide Driving Allow if required
- Private journey insurance coverage
Do I would like a global driving allow to drive in Portugal?
Most UK residents don’t want an IDP to drive in Portugal, so long as you’ve gotten a card driving licence issued within the UK (in date, in fact!)
You would possibly want one in case you have:
- a paper driving licence solely
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
(Should you do want an IDP, right here’s an in-depth information on how you can get an Worldwide Driving Allow and which one(s) you want from a UK publish workplace.
Touring Portugal in a campervan- Different helpful belongings you would possibly want
We’ve been touring Europe in our motorhome for a number of years. We’ve tried all kinds of kit- some helpful, some not a lot.
Here’s a listing of issues we extremely advocate when motorhoming in Portugal, however that are NOT important:
Motorhome stopovers & in a single day parking in Portugal
In Portugal, there are a number of sorts of motorhome and campervan stopovers you should use.
- Campsites
- Aires
- Free/ permitted motorhome parking schemes
- Wild tenting in Portugal for vans
Portugal Tenting websites for motorhomes, campervans and caravans
It’s straightforward to search out motorhome campsites in Portugal and so they’re very similar to campsites anyplace else in Europe. Some are rustic and have very fundamental amenities, whereas others are designed for long-term guests and have leisure, golf equipment, swimming pools and bars!
Campsites in Portugal are sometimes rather a lot cheaper than you would possibly count on, particularly in case you’re used to different international locations in western Europe. Some are as little as 2€/pp/ night- however they’re very fundamental.
Many campsites have both long-term residents who stay of their motorhomes in Portugal, or have everlasting statics or caravans which the house owners go to after they can.
There’s typically one ‘primary’ or municipal campsite in every city, which is signposted utilizing blue and white indicators that will help you discover it. Count on to indicate your passport or identification on arrival and plenty of locations require you to go away one passport behind the reception.
Should you’re travelling out of excessive season and are planning to make use of campsites, we extremely advocate shopping for an ACSI CampingCard membership, however bear in mind that some campsites both shut through the winter or are booked up solely months prematurely, so you could want to e-book one too.
Additionally, many campsites put ACSI customers on ‘lesser’ pitches (both dangerous view or no electrical or drainage). You possibly can ask for a unique pitch, however will normally must pay a complement which wipes out the ACSI {discount}! That is particularly widespread on the coast within the Algarve.
At some campsites, you have to to pay further for bathe or electrical utilization. Be warned- the new water within the bathe is on a timer- normally between 3-5 minutes per token.
Should you’re campervanning within the Algarve, this is a superb useful resource that will help you discover locations.
TOP TIP: Should you’re planning to remain in a single space for a very long time (30+ days), negotiate a particular price with the campsite instantly. Most of them have some type of discount- some are as little as £10/ day, together with electrical.
Aires in Portugal
Aires are simply permitted motorhome in a single day parking places- typically supplied and maintained by the native commune. Not like in case you go motorhoming in Italy, aires in Portugal are normally simply referred to as aires, like in France or Spain (they’re referred to as Sostas in Italy)
There aren’t fairly as many aires in Portugal as in France and so they’re typically a bit of extra out of the best way, however the community continues to be very helpful and simple to make use of.
READ MORE: Learn the way we discover and use aires and permitted free in a single day motorhome stopovers throughout Europe
There are a mix of personal and municipal motorhome aires in Portugal. Non-public aires are similar to a campsite, and sometimes you’ll be able to keep for so long as you want (in contrast to in case you go motorhoming in Germany, the place 48h is usually the max).
Municipal aires are typically referred to as ASAs and are permitted in a single day motorhome stopovers, supplied by the native council. At these, there’s a restriction of 2-3 nights most in a single place.
You can’t e-book motorhome aires in advance- it’s first-come, first-served, so in case you’re visiting at peak occasions you would possibly really feel happier reserving a campsite so that you’re assured of someplace to remain.
A superb tip is to try to arrive AT your vacation spot simply earlier than lunchtime. Many individuals transfer on after. a lazy morning, and cease en-route, so you’ve gotten the very best likelihood of discovering a spot round this time, however that’s when the day is at its hottest, so watch out.
There are only a few amenities at an aire. You must be capable of get water and empty waste, however don’t count on eating places, swimming pools or leisure areas. Additionally, don’t hang around washing, get your awning out or put chairs out- that is tenting and isn’t allowed- the police will cease and ask you to maneuver.
It’s at all times price investing in a e-book of aires, in addition to a web-based app- simply in case you end up with out web in your motorhome (or with no wifi sign). In fact, the draw back with any e-book is that it goes outdated, however don’t fear if it’s solely a yr or two out- most details about aires received’t change an excessive amount of.
Listed here are some we advocate:
Different permitted motorhome stopovers and parking in Portugal
Portugal EasyCamp is a scheme which connects native enterprise house owners to motorhomers and campervanner searching for protected locations to remain in a single day. Should you’d wish to keep away from busy campsites and aires, however don’t wish to threat wild tenting, this is perhaps the choice for you.
It really works very equally to France Ardour, with one massive difference- you must go browsing and purchase the product or expertise BEFORE you go to the situation. You possibly can then head there and keep for as much as 24 hours.
READ MORE: How you can take advantage of Portugal EasyCamp
Wild tenting in Portugal for motorhomes and campervans
Normally, I’m the primary particular person to advertise and encourage accountable motorhome wild tenting. We get pleasure from it immensely and have accomplished it throughout most of Europe with any problem.
Portugal has lengthy been the vacation spot for campervanners and motorhomers trying to keep off-grid, although wild tenting in Portugal has ALWAYS been unlawful.
Nonetheless, the nation has been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of vans lately (very similar to wild tenting with a motorhome in Scotland) and so they have needed to take care of years of abuse and mistreatment.
The issue with lots of the campervans who go to Portugal is that they don’t have their very own amenities onboard- and folks have been leaving waste (of the human type) all over.
On high of that, many wild tenting spots don’t have any amenities, so folks have been leaving piles of garbage and even emptying their chemical bogs into bushes or over the countryside. Instances this by hundreds upon hundreds of vanlifers and it’s no surprise the Portuguese authorities try to guard their nation.
Is Motorhome campervan Wild tenting authorized in Portugal?
In January 2021, the Portuguese authorities handed a legislation which modified the freeway code so campervans, motorhomes and caravans needed to keep on an official website. It was prohibited to park and keep by seashores and locations marked as unauthorised and it is usually prohibited to remain in a single day in any automobile park not expressly designated for caravans, motorhomes or campervans.
Wild tenting was at all times unlawful in Portugal, however was tolerated or neglected if folks have been discreet though the principles have been modified in Might 2020 to ban campervan parking close to seashores in Portugal.
Sadly, Portugal has been abused lately by vans wild parking. In early 2021, Portugal banned motorhomes and campervans from staying anyplace other than campsites or aires. Wild tenting was by no means authorized to start with, and was already banned utterly close to the coast, however they purchased in fines.
I’ll be sincere, I’ve been appalled by the photographs of waste and vandalism left behind by so many inconsiderate and egocentric idiots and I can’t blame the Portuguese for making an attempt to cease it.
On the identical time, I used to be unhappy that just a few have ruined it for the numerous completely accountable and conscientious campervanners and that we now all wanted to remain in busy campsites or aires that are normally in a city and really noisy (the Portuguese don’t like to show off their church bells at night time!)
Nonetheless, in summer time 2021, they amended the legislation BACK to permit “in a single day stays in motorhomes permitted by the Institute of Mobility and Transport for a most interval of 48 hours”.
What this mainly means is that motorhome/ campers with their very own amenities like a fitted bathroom are allowed to wild camp. In fact, PLEASE don’t depart waste (of any type!) behind- we don’t need them to vary again once more!!
Wild tenting continues to be banned close to the coast, in Nationwide parks and close to protected areas. Violations can lead to a tremendous between 120 to 600€.
Additionally, there most likely aren’t sufficient campsites or Aires to take care of the quantity of people that go to in vans annually. There’ll have to be new amenities, extra waste and repair factors and a brand new infrastructure and I’m unsure who, when or the way it’s going to occur.
Motorhome and campervan service factors in Portugal
There are motorhome service areas unfold across the nation. Many are on municipal aires and amenities embody ingesting water provide factors and locations to dump soiled water(gray waste) and chemical bathroom (black) waste. These areas may even have electrical energy energy factors for charging the batteries of camper vans and motorhomes.
We discover them utilizing Park4night, however you too can use this web site (though it’s in Portuguese!)
Driving ideas for Portugal
Portuguese drivers have a luke-warm reputation- primarily as a result of the nation has one of many highest accident charges in Europe, however actually they’re most likely higher than the Italians. Having stated that, they hardly ever use indicators and can usually lower wildly throughout a number of lanes to succeed in an exit. So count on the surprising and also you’ll be tremendous.
Okay, let’s take care of the essential guidelines and a few ideas for motorhoming and highway tripping in Portugal:
- Portugal drives on the correct
- Automobiles coming FROM the correct have precedence at junctions
- On roundabouts, autos already on the roundabout have proper of manner.
- Seatbelts are obligatory
- Speeds are in km/h, not mph (you would possibly wish to change the setting in your motorhome sat-nav)
- You do not want to have driving lights on through the day
- Handsfree kits are allowed
- It’s forbidden to make use of a dashcam or radar detector for velocity cameras
- Street surfaces are typically fairly good in cities and cities, however may be dangerous within the countryside.
- Keep away from cities in case you’re driving in a motorhome- a lot of them are too crowded and the streets are simply not lower out for giant autos. Park outdoors and use public transport to get in.
- Trams at all times have precedence everywhere- maintain eyes at the back of your head in case you’re driving close to a tram community.
- Emergency autos and navy autos have precedence over different highway customers.
- You might carry a load, corresponding to bikes on a rack, extending by as much as 10% of the size of the car to the rear. The load should be indicated by a board/ panel with diagonal pink and white stripes– that is authorized for Spain, however price having in Portugal.
- Bikes or a load being carried should NOT be wider than the car
- Helmets are obligatory if you’re motorcycling in Portugal
- Winter tyres usually are not obligatory however snow chains are obligatory the place signage signifies.
- There is no such thing as a border management between Spain and Portugal – you’ll be able to simply drive proper in
Roads in Portugal
There was some huge cash spent lately to construct new roads (therefore all of the tolls!) A lot of the main roads have been resurfaced and are fairly good, however there are a lot of older roads in additional rural areas that are in poorer situation. You’ll be discover to drive them with a motorhome or camper, however sluggish your velocity and drive with care.
Visitors Lights in Portugal
Visitors lights use the three color system. There is no such thing as a amber sign after the pink, and a flashing amber gentle signifies “warning”. A flashing or fixed pink gentle signifies “cease” and is used close to degree crossings and to offer warning of an impediment.
Velocity Limits in Portugal (until in any other case signed!)
Breaking the velocity restrict may end in both an on-the-spot or an automated tremendous being despatched to you.
Automobiles and autos beneath 3.5 tonnes:
- 120 km/h (74mph) on motorways and a few twin carriageways
- 100km/h (62mph) on main roads
- 90 km/h (55 mph) on minor roads (out of city)
- 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas
Motorhomes and Campervans weighing over 3.5 tonnes:
- motorways 100km/h (62mph)
- main roads 90 km/h (55 mph)
- minor out-of-town roads 80 km/h (50 mph)
- city areas- 50 km/h (31 mph)
Motorhomes with trailers or caravans
- motorways 100km/h (62mph)
- main out-of-town roads 80 km/h (50 mph)
- minor out-of-town roads 70 km/h (44 mph)
- built-up areas- 50 km/h (31 mph)
Velocity Cameras in Portugal
Many roads have automated velocity cameras on in Portugal and so they’re fairly joyful to ship vacationers a tremendous via the mail.
You may additionally discover random visitors lights, which flip to pink in the course of nowhere in case you’re rushing and make you look ahead to a few minutes earlier than turning to inexperienced so you’ll be able to transfer off once more. These are surprisingly efficient!
Drink Drive legislation in Portugal
Alcohol legal guidelines are stricter in Portugal than the UK. The authorized restrict is 0.05% blood alcohol (the UK is 0.08%) and applies to the motive force of any motorised car. Should you’ve had your license for beneath 3 years, the restrict is 0.02%
– A blood alcohol degree between 0,5 g/l and 0,8 g/l is taken into account a severe offence, and it’s sanctioned with a driving inhibition between 1 month and a 1 yr and a charge fee of an quantity from 250 as much as 1.250 euros.
– A blood alcohol degree between 0,8g/l and 1,2g/l is a really severe offence, sanctioned with a interval of driving inhibition between 2 months and a couple of years and a charge fee of an quantity from 1.250 as much as 2.500 euros.
– A blood alcohol degree of 1,2g/l or extra is taken into account a criminal offense, that may be punished with imprisonment as much as 1 yr or charge penalty as much as 120 days, and driving inhibition between 3 months and three years.
Low Emission zones in Portugal
Portugal does have one low emission zone in Lisbon. About 33% of the town is inside it, so watch out in case you drive in.
Click on right here for extra detailed info about how you can discover zones throughout Europe.
Tolls in Portugal
There are two sorts of toll in Portugal- each on motorways:
– conventional motorways with toll cubicles, the place fee is made by money, financial institution card or digital tolls.
– Purely digital toll motorways. So as to use these roads, you MUST have an digital system in your car.
Straightforward Toll
Straightforward Toll makes use of your financial institution card and quantity plate to take funds. You enter your card particulars at a enroll location on the border and get a photograph of your registration plates taken. The system will then deduct toll fee out of your financial institution card each time your car passes a toll gate.
Signing up prices 0.74 euros, plus a 0.32 euro administrative charge.
This methodology is legitimate for 30 days, and the tickets issued on the toll should be stored as proof in case of an issue. Yow will discover out extra on the Portugal tolls web site.
By way of Verde
Should you usually use toll roads, it could be price signing as much as the By way of Verde scheme which takes you thru the quick lane with out having to cease and pay.
By way of Verde is the one system which works on ALL the Portuguese motorways. It additionally covers a good part of Spanish toll roads too. You purchase a transponder after which get charged or what you utilize. The good factor about them is that after getting one, it doesn’t expire, so it’s legitimate for everytime you return to Portugal.
e-Movis
Personally, we use e-Movis for tolls throughout Europe and we’ve by no means had an issue. These let you use the VIA-T lanes in Portugal
It’s price noting that you just want a DIFFERENT e-Movis tag for Spain and Portugal (one does each international locations), than you do for France. So in case you’re driving from the UK to Portugal, you have to at the very least 2 e-Movis toll tags in your motorhome and also you’ll want to recollect to change them over.
Pre-paid Toll Card
This method is comparatively simple and useful directions are written on every card.
You purchase a pre-loaded card with both 5, 10, 20 or 40 euros. You then activate the cardboard with an SMS message, utilizing the code printed on the cardboard and the licence plate of the car.
There’s a service price of 0.74 euros for every card bought.
Should you head dwelling with credit score nonetheless in your toll card you will get this refunded – simply return it to the primary publish workplace in Portugal, the CTT.
There’s additionally a Toll Service, which is a pre-loaded card with limitless use for 3 days or beforehand outlined journeys.
You should purchase these on the CTT publish workplace, on-line at www.tollcard.pt or at numerous service areas.
This web site additionally exhibits how a lot every toll highway will price, so is perhaps price a glance while you’re planning your route via Portugal.
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
Driving in Portugal- what to do within the occasion of a highway visitors accident
You must have a European Declare Kind supplied by your insurer earlier than you permit. Within the occasion of an accident, all events full and signal the shape on the scene after which ship a duplicate to your insurer for evaluation.
What to do on the scene:
- Cease your car instantly however safely- out of the movement of visitors if potential.
- If a car is obstructing the highway, use hazard lights and put the pink warning triangle 30 metres from the scene to warn approaching visitors
- Trade your particulars with the opposite concerned events. Make sure to get:
- Title and deal with of all of the folks concerned within the accident
- Automobile registration numbers of all events
- Insurance coverage firm particulars of all events
- Take photographs of harm utilizing a digital camera, GoPro or cellphone
For extra particulars, learn our step-by-step information on coping with a highway visitors accident in Europe
Different important ideas for campervanning in Portugal
Petrol and Diesel
Petrol and diesel are extensively accessible. Many gasoline stations are 24h on the primary roads and are self-service with card machines.
Petrol is Sem chumbo (95 / 98) – Inexperienced handles on pump
Diesel is Gasóleo or Diesel. Black or yellow handles on pump
It’s not allowed to hold gasoline in cans, even in small quantities, so watch out in case you have a motorhome generator.
Some locations are 24h pay on the pump, however might require you to enter the store and pay the cashier both prematurely or after you’ve crammed up- there might be an indication to inform you what to do. (Go away your automobile in entrance of the pump and make a remark of the pump quantity.)
You possibly can pay utilizing money or a bank card. Many locations do NOT take American Specific. You possibly can normally use your UK playing cards with no drawback.
NOTE: It’s unlawful to expire of petrol when crossing Lisbon’s mile-long 25 de Abril bridge.
LPG Fuel
LPG (GPL) may be discovered at many petrol stations. There are literally extra locations than in Spain. If shopping for from a petroleum station, you could want to attend for an attendant to show the system on for you.
Yow will discover locations which promote LPG utilizing MyLPG.eu
Bear in mind, in case you don’t have refillable gasoline bottles, you may be unable to purchase a gasoline bottle which inserts straight onto a UK system- you want a brand new pigtail. Portugal primarily makes use of the euro connector.
READ MORE: How we discover motorhome LPG or bottles whereas touring Europe
Campervanning in Portugal- safety
Portugal has a decrease crime price than many different international locations in Europe, however car break-ins do occur, as does petty theft and pickpocketing.
We extremely advocate paying further consideration to your motorhome safety when travelling in Portugal. You would possibly even want to match an further camper habitation door lock and by no means depart your car unattended in an unsecure space.
READ MORE: Important ideas for shielding your van at dwelling and on the highway
Extra helpful issues to find out about vanlife in Portugal
Some extra ideas that will help you get pleasure from your time in Portugal.
Emergency Numbers: 112 will get you every part
Language– The Portuguese are fairly good at languages. Portuguese is spoken, together with Spanish. Lots of the youthful technology communicate English effectively.
Foreign money– Euro
Playing cards– most main credit score and debit playing cards are accepted. American Specific is barely taken in massive shops (not at tolls and sometimes not at gasoline stations)
Timezone– GMT (identical as UK- sure, Spain is in a unique time zone!)
Cellular Telephone and Web – It’s normally potential to make use of your UK cellphone and knowledge in Portugal, however do verify together with your supplier.
Tipping- Tipping just isn’t anticipated however appreciated. 5% – 10% in eating places is customary if you’re proud of the service.
Retailers– Meals costs are fairly cheap. Historically, outlets are open from Monday to Friday, from 9 or 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some shut for lunch from 1 to three p.m. On Saturdays, outlets typically shut at 1 p.m. although in metropolis centres some are open within the afternoon. Many outlets shut on Sundays. Larger supermarkets could also be open, however will shut at lunchtime.
Don’t confuse Portugal with Spain- the Portuguese are very pleased with their tradition and heritage. They get pleasure from life at a slower tempo and there are many queues.
Meals and Drink in Portugal
Markets are the hub of life in Portugal. You’ll discover one in each village, city and metropolis, with a variety of native produce on the market. Many individuals in Portugal solely ever eat seasonally, so native dishes will change relying on time of yr.
Be sure to have money (together with small change) and produce your personal baggage. Be warned- the markets are sometimes held within the greatest automobile park in town- which is usually the place the motorhome parking is. Take note of the indicators in these automobile parks- they may say when the market is and if you’re unable to park on sure days.
Native dishes in Portugal to strive embody:
- pastel de Belém/ pastel de nata- DELICIOUS custard tart
- Francesinha – ham and cheese sandwich
- Caldeirada de Peixe -stewed fish
- Salt cod or bacalhau
Touring Portugal with a canine
Portugal is slowly turning into extra dog-friendly. Canines are actually welcome in cafes and eating places and are allowed on trains- ensure you have a muzzle and their paperwork.
Learn extra: adjustments affecting travelling to Europe with a canine after BREXIT
They aren’t allowed on many seashores in summer time and usually are not allowed into public locations like museums. Small canine in crates are allowed on buses and trams; massive canine are unwelcome on most of them.
Don’t overlook how sizzling it will get in summer time and to verify your canine is comfy. Do NOT depart them in your motorhome or camper on a sunny day- vans warmth up identical to automobiles do. Listed here are some tricks to maintain your canine cool on a highway journey.
To return into the UK you’ll want a vet on the continent to manage a worming remedy after which permit between 24 hours and 5 days earlier than re-entering the UK.
Be warned, there are MANY stray canine (and cats) in Portugal- greater than I’ve seen anyplace else in Europe. Feeding them is a bit like feeding seagulls…
Utilizing a drone in Portugal
You’re allowed to take and fly your drone in Portugal, however they’re VERY sizzling on privateness legal guidelines and recording folks with out their permission- particularly in case you then add the footage to Youtube or one thing.
READ MORE: What’s the very best journey drone (and the way to decide on)
Drones and comparable remote-controlled flying gadgets should be stored at the very least a minimal 150m from folks, autos and buildings that aren’t linked with the drone operator. Flying should occur in daylight solely and as much as a most peak of 120m. By no means fly nearer than 5km to airports. The drone should at all times stay throughout the sight of the operator.
Please verify for native rules and navy or different particular restricted areas the place all of the aforementioned actions are forbidden by legislation. Listed here are present guidelines.
