Driving in Cyprus vs. Portugal: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the driving landscapes of Cyprus and Portugal, notable distinctions emerge that can impact your journey. From the side of the road you navigate—left in Cyprus versus right in Portugal—to speed limits and traffic regulations, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
portugal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cyprus:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Portugal |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
portugal:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Cyprus | 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
cyprus:
Not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
portugal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay