Driving Differences: Croatia vs. Portugal Uncovered
When exploring the roads of Croatia and Portugal, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits—higher in Croatia—and the prohibition of overtaking on the left in Portugal. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a smoother driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Portugal |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
portugal:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay