Exchange of Foreign Driving License in Portugal

If you come from an OECD or CPLP member country and want to exchange your foreign driving license for a Portuguese license, you are in the right place. The process may seem complex, but we explain how it works to ensure you can drive legally in Portugal without any worries. We emphasize that, if you are from another country, be aware that there are different rules and procedures that must be followed.

Which countries are included in this regime?
The possibility of exchanging a foreign driving license is available to citizens of specific countries, in accordance with international agreements. See who is covered:

CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries) countries:
Brazil and Cape Verde are part of the Transit Convention (1949 or 1968).
Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe have bilateral agreements with Portugal for the recognition of driving licenses.
OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries that are not members of the European Union or the European Economic Area, but that have also signed the transit conventions:
Australia, Canada, Chile, South Korea, United States, Iceland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Turkey.
Requirements to exchange a foreign driving license in Portugal