Driving licences from CPLP and OECD countries are valid in Portugal

On August 1, Decree-Law No. 46/2022 entered into force, introducing amendments to the Road Code, which will enable motor vehicles to drive by holders of driving licences issued by the Member States of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

In the preamble to the diploma, it was clear that the new regime in force seeks to consolidate the commitment of the current Government, led by António Costa, to integrate migrants through the improvement of their quality of life, as well as to strengthen collaboration between the CPLP and OECD countries.

What requirements are required to benefit from the new regime in force?

1. The issuing State shall be a signatory to the Geneva International Convention of September 19, 1949, to the Vienna International Convention of November 8 1968, or to have concluded a bilateral agreement with the Islamic Portuguese;
2. No more than 15 years have elapsed since the issuing or final renewal of the driving licence;
3. The holder must be between the minimum age required by Portuguese law for his/ her license (16,18 or 21, depending on the category of the vehicle) and less than 60 years of age;
4. The title is valid and not seized, suspended, expired or revoked by force of legal provision or official decision.

Which countries are covered by this scheme?

1. CPLP Member States, which are signatories to one of the transit conventions: Brazil and Cape Verde;
2. CPLP Member States, which signed a bilateral agreement with Portugal: Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe;
3. OECD Member States, although not members of the European Union or the European Economic Area, are signatories to the transit conventions: Australia, Canada, Chile, Republic of Korea, United States of America, Iceland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Turkey.

What changes?

With the new regime in force, it is now possible for holders of driving licences issued by CPLP and OECD Member States to be driving in the national territory provided that the requirements described above are met.  

And this simplification of the qualification for the driving of motor vehicles promotes the integration of migrants, strengthens the mobility between citizens of the States that are part of the CPLP and the OECD and, above all, also contributes, albeit partially, to the minimization of bureaucracy associated with immigration processes to Portugal.