If you’re moving to Portugal and have a driver’s license from your country, you may be able to exchange it for a Portuguese license without taking a practical test. This process is called a driver’s license exchange (or “troca” in Portuguese) and is carried out at the IMT (Mobility and Transport Institute).
In this guide, you’ll find out who can make the exchange, the necessary documents, and step-by-step instructions for completing the process.

Who can exchange their driver’s license in Portugal?

• Holders of licenses issued in countries with a reciprocity agreement with Portugal (for example, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, among others). See countries
• Residents in Portugal with a valid residence permit .
• People whose license is valid and issued before obtaining residency in Portugal.

Deadline for exchange

If you obtain residency in Portugal, you must take into account the following deadlines for exchanging your driver’s license (counted from the date of your residency authorization):

• Up to 90 days: You can continue driving with your foreign license, but you must initiate the exchange request at the IMT.
• From 90 days to 2 years: You can initiate the exchange request, but you will no longer be able to drive in Portugal with your foreign license.
• After 2 years: You will no longer be able to drive with your foreign license, and to obtain a Portuguese card, you will need to take and pass a practical driving test .

💡 Tip: Don’t wait until the deadline expires. Starting the process early will avoid problems and possible penalties.

Necessary documents

These are the documents required to exchange your driver’s license in Portugal.

• Original and valid driver’s license. Expired licenses cannot be exchanged, and they must have been issued before the Portuguese residency permit was issued.
• Apostilled and translated certificate of legality of the license (requested from the corresponding entity in your country of issue) and consular certificate (requested from your country’s Embassy in Portugal)
• Residence document in Portugal (residence card or citizenship).
• NIF (Tax Identification Number).
• Electronic medical certificate issued in Portugal (can be issued in a health center or private clinic).
• Certificate of tax domicile , if the residence does not match the one that appears on the residence title
• Official IMT form (to be filled out on the spot).

Step by step for the exchange

1. Gather the documentation: including the medical certificate.
2. Enter the official IMT website: My driving letter
3. Register with your NIF and senha from the financial portal
4. Complete the form and attach the corresponding documents
5. Make the payment of the corresponding fees (approx. 30 euros)
6. Wait to be contacted by the IMT to schedule an appointment.
7. Show up for your appointment to have your biometric data taken.
8. Your new Portuguese driver’s license will arrive by mail to your home.

💡Important: Some countries, like Colombia, require a practical exam to do the trucking.

While you wait for your Portuguese license to arrive, you will receive a temporary driving permit, which is valid only in Portugal.

Practical advice

• Check if your country has an updated exchange agreement on the IMT Portal .
• Check that the certificate of legality shows the date of your first license, so that they can put that date on your Portuguese license, since having more experience as a driver is advantageous for car insurance.
• Please keep the original license delivery receipt until you receive the Portuguese one.

Thinking about buying a car in Portugal?

In addition to changing your driver’s license, you might be considering getting your own car. In this video from Amiga Viajera , she explains everything you need to know about buying a car in Portugal: requirements, costs, and key steps.