Driving in Portugal vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Portugal and Spain presents unique regulations and practices that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption policies. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey through these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
portugal:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
portugal:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.