In Portugal, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. It’s forbidden to pass on the right on a straight road other than a motorway with several lanes.

Cars driving on a roundabout have the right of way, and on crossings without stop signs or traffic lights, vehicles from the right have preference. You can’t make a right turn at a red traffic light, only if a green arrow is flashing.

It’s illegal to cross a white line or double white lines. If you want to turn left and there is a white line, you have to drive on to the next exit on the right, get back on the road in the opposite direction until you come to the exit you want.

Seatbelts are mandatory for the driver and front-seat passengers. Additionally, headphones and mobile phones are banned, unless used in hands-free mode.

The alcohol limit is 0.5 grams of alcohol for 1 liter of blood. If you are caught driving over the limit, the fines are severe. Bear in mind that alcohol tolerance depends on many factors, like sex, weight, and age, but as a rule of thumb, one large glass of beer or wine might keep you just below the limit. There is zero tolerance for drugs.

The speed limits are as follows:

• 50 kph in residential areas and urban roads
• 90 kph on rural roads
• 120 kph on motorways and expressways

At the end of July, the Regulation on the use of Ukrainian national driver’s licenses in EU countries entered into force. The changes affect only persons who enjoy temporary or adequate protection in EU countries.

This document establishes special rules regarding expired, lost or stolen Ukrainian driver’s licenses.

So, from the end of July in Portugal you can:

• to use a Ukrainian driver’s license without the need to exchange it during the entire period of being under protection, and not only during 6 months;
• to use an old-style Ukrainian driver’s license, which is issued only in Cyrillic and does not have an expiration date, without the need to have an additional certified translation or an international driver’s license;
• to use a Ukrainian driver’s license even if it expires in 2022 (this is relevant for licenses issued for the first time with a validity period of 2 years).

If you work in transport, you will need to leave a request for automatic recognition of professional certification here . If you can't prove to them that this is your profession, you will need to take a 35-hour course and take an exam (free of charge), and in the meantime you will be given code 95 in your driver's license.

You do not need to register your car if you stay less than 180 days. Registration takes place at the regional IMT services at the place of residence. Documents: model 9 IMT, SOS (Certificado de Conformidad CE), certificate of registration of the vehicle with the mark of the customs authority (AT), certificate of value of the car (Model 112), issued by the inspection body type B (CITV), document from the customs authority JSC) on the fulfillment of all tax obligations, payment of duties and taxes, identity card, vehicle registration fee.

If you are not the owner of the car you are driving, it is useful to carry a written authorization from the actual car owner with you including substantial details, such as the license plate and the insurance number of the car in case authorities might ask for it. Further, the owner should contact the motorist insurance to cover possible damages caused by the third party.

When travelling abroad by car, be sure to take a Green Card Policy with you. It will save you from potential financial expenses if you accidentally cause an accident. The limits of compensation to victims in foreign countries are usually much higher than in Ukraine - take care of your financial security in advance.

There are no usual vignettes in Portugal, but there are toll roads:

• A1 between Lisbon and Porto
• A28 between Porto and Valença
• A22 between Faro and Portimao
• A2 between Lisbon and Algarve

Unlike some toll roads where you’ll come across booths every so often where you can pay for using the route, electronic toll roads allow you to pay for how far you’ve driven after you’ve completed your journey. On roads that haven’t yet gone electronic, you’ll find booths where you can pay using a credit/debit card.

On the updated toll roads, there are no toll booths. What they’ve got instead is sensors set up at regular intervals along the roads. These record when you enter and exit a toll route.

One of the easiest is to buy a Toll Card from a local post office, tourism office, service station or an Easy Toll Welcome Point. You’ll add pre-paid credit to it and then activate it over text message.

How much will I have to shell out to use them?

This depends on the vehicle you’re driving and how far you’re going. Basically, the longer you drive on a toll road for, the more expensive it will be.

For every toll road in Portugal, there’s usually another route you can use that’ll be completely free of charge. Be warned though: the toll-free roads are not as well-maintained and are usually longer routes.

If you see a round white or blue sign with a red circle and diagonal cross, then don't park. That's the Portuguese "no parking" sign. Yellow and red lines on curbs also mean "no parking."

You should always park facing the same direction as traffic on one-way streets. Do not park within 5 meters of a road junction, 25 meters before, and 5 meters after a bus stop, or anywhere within 6 meters of a tram stop.

And while you may see the locals parking in the middle of the street with their emergency flashers engaged, don't try it yourself. It's illegal in Portugal, and could result in a hefty fine.

In Portugal, a distinction is made between minor, serious and very serious traffic offenses. Minimum and maximum fines have been set for these categories.

Only a fine is imposed for minor traffic offenses. Serious to very serious traffic offenses are not only punished with a fine, but a driving ban or driving disqualification can also be imposed.

In the event of an arrest, the fine must be paid immediately (the police usually have a pin machine). The fine must in any case be paid within 15 days.

Portugal has a points driving license for serious (r) traffic offenses. Depending on the seriousness of the offenses, penalty points will be deducted from the total of 12 points. The points driving license is only valid for Portuguese territory.

Speeding violation

Within the built-up area:

• Exceedance up to 20 km / h: € 60-300.
• Exceeding 20 to 40 km / h: € 120-600.
• Exceeding 41 to 60 km / h: € 300-1,500.
• Exceedance from 60 km / h: € 500-2,500.
• In addition, a driving disqualification can be imposed.

Outside the built-up area:

• Exceeding up to 30 km / h: € 60-300.
• Exceeding 30 to 60 km / h: € 120-600.
• Exceeding 60 to 80 km / h: € 300-1,500.
• Exceedance from 80 km / h: € 500-2,500.
• In addition, a driving disqualification can be imposed.

Other common fines:

• Driving through a red light: € 120-600.
• Overtaking ban violation: € 120-600.
• Crossing the solid line: € 120-600.
• Parking violation: € 30-150.
• Parking on the sidewalk or zebra crossing: € 60-300.
• In the dark outside the built-up area: € 250-1,250.
• No priority: € 120-600.
• Not granting right of way on the motorway: € 250-1,200.
• Driving without a seat belt / child restraint: € 120-600.
• Use cell phone while driving: € 120-600.
• Use anti-radar: € 500-2,500.
• No lighting during the day: € 60-300.

Driving under the influence

• From 0.5 ‰ to 0.8 ‰: € 250-1,250.
• More than 0.8 ‰: € 500-2,500.
• Depending on the blood alcohol level, a prison sentence and / or a driving disqualification can also be imposed.
• Driving under the influence of drugs: € 500-2,500.

You do not need to register your car and trailer if you stay less than 180 days.

There are no restrictions on what you can buy and take with you when travelling within the EU provided that the bought products are for you own use and not for resale. Taxes on are already included in the retail price of the product. To determine if the products purchased are intended for your own use, customs authorities may verify the products, e.g. the packages or the quantity. In order to prove that goods are for your own use, authorities may ask to see the receipt or other proof of purchase. If you cannot provide sufficient evidence, you might have to pay duties or the products can be confiscated.

If you carry 10,000 euros or more in cash, alcohol drinks, tobacco products, fuel or other goods including perfume, certain restrictions may apply regarding the quantity and value of the products. For more information please check this site .